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’m posting this for the sole purpose of making sure my roomate Dave is never more than an internet connection away from hearing this song. He’s been known to get cranky when he can’t. It’s from Blind Melon’s second record, released just months before frontman Shannon Hoon’s fatal cocaine overdose.

I never felt that Blind Melon got a fair shake because they will forever be known only as the band that sings that “No Rain” song. Dave thinks about it like “No Rain” is a song from the radio. The stuff on Soup is actually Blind Melon. It’s the same way I think of “Creep.” It’s a song that’s generally associated with Radiohead, but real Radiohead is stuff like “The National Anthem.” Unfortunately for Blind Melon, their iron lung didn’t get a chance to sustain them long enough to make a greater impression.  So I’m going to try to do my part to share something else.  Also their cover of the Schoolhouse Rock classic “Three is A Magic Number” and, because I mentioned it, “The National Anthem.”

 Blind Melon - Vernie [3:16m]: Play in Popup | Download
 Blind Melon - Three is a Magic Number [3:14m]: Play in Popup | Download
 Radiohead - The National Anthem (Live) [4:58m]: Play in Popup | Download

So, today I listened to this song roughly 27 times at work.  I failed to count, but doing the math it comes out to about 27 times.  I mentioned a bit more about this over at my normal blog, but seriously: “Maggot Brain” my be my new favourite instrumental.  Ten minutes of the most visceral, emotive guitar soloing I have ever heard.  It’s worth taking some time out and putting on your headphones, don’t deny yourself this chance.  I cannot stress this enough.

 Funkadelic - Maggot Brain [10:20m]: Play in Popup | Download

A week ago today a bunch of rock legends came to town. Boise-based indie kids Built to Spill and Arizona-native original alt-country/cow-punk drunkards the Meat Puppets. I saw Built to Spill because I was supposed to. I was really there for the Meat Puppets and, even though Cris Kirkwood looks like a zombie muppet, they did not disappoint.

Playing songs from various stages of the band’s career, including all three songs that Nirvana made famous on their Unplugged in New York album (they all come from Meat Puppets II) , the Puppets set was totally worth the price of admission alone. I’m bummed that they didn’t get the chance to play an encore, even though ending the set with “Comin’ Down” and following it up with “Lake of Fire” sure sounded like a closer/encore combo. Beauty, eh?

Built to Spill, well…I only know two songs, and they played one of them, but it was pretty early in the set. It was good music, but I was tired (clubs that make their money on booze do better to let shows run later. I hate it). And though they have a lot of pretty catchy numbers, that’s not really what they’re about these days, and the loyal BtS fans don’t wanna hear that noise anyhow.

So I enjoyed Built to Spill’s jammy bits and went on my way determined to buy the Meat Puppets’ Too High To Die, and album I had taped years back, but wanted on CD. Especially since the song I needed to share with you wasn’t on Dave’s computer or hanging out elsewhere on Internet. So, I present to you “Comin’ Down/Lake of Fire”!! “Lake of Fire,” as I mentioned, was originally released on 1984’s Meat Puppets II, but they re-recorded it in ‘93 as a secret track on Too High to Die. Also, enjoy the Built to Spill song that I know and they played. It’s “Distopian Dream Girl” from ’94’s There’s Nothing Wrong with Love. Good rockin’ times!!

Oh yeah, Built to Spill is gonna be at Langerado, too!

Meat Puppets ‘Space | Meat Puppet Official | O.G. Meat Puppets Official| Built to Spill ‘Space | Built to Spill Official

Buy dat mess, k?

 Built to Spill - Distopian Dream Girl [4:24m]: Play in Popup | Download
 the Meat Puppets - Comin' Down/Lake of Fire: Play in Popup | Download

Allegedly, Chris Walla’s new solo release, Field Manual, contains two tracks that were left off of Death Cab for Cutie’s 2005 gem Plans. I can’t find anywhere that tells me which songs these were, and most of these songs sound like they could have come from some point in Death Cab’s past, if you let them. But, well, Chris produces all of DCfC’s material, he’s major creative input in the band. You know, kind how if you let it, Thom Yorke’s solo album The Eraser sounds like a proper follow up to Kid A and Amnesiac. Yeah, it’s a solo project, that’s what you get. There are moments, though, like the opening Imogen Heap-like harmonies of “Two-Fifty,” that really get you excited for the next Death Cab album, if this is what Chris is doing on his own. There are some truly good songs on here. Avoiding the solo album/side project pitfall of writing songs that simply are not catchy, or good, we get songs like “The Score,” “Archer V. Light” and my current favourite “Geometry &c,” which, oddly enough, sounds like early Jimmy Eat World as much as it sounds like early Death Cab. I like it, and I guess US Homeland Security was excited enough that they wanted a copy in October.
Check out “Sing Again” and “Geometry &c” before rushing out to buy it, okay?

Chris Walla@HallofJusticeRecording.com | MySpace | Buy Field Manual

 Geometry &c - Chris Walla [3:07m]: Play in Popup | Download
 Sing Again - Chris Walla [2:31m]: Play in Popup | Download