Indie Rock | LovetheMusic

There is no excuse — none whatsoever — to ever let an Arcade Fire show go by without attending. Reschedule your wedding, it's worth it. It's shamefully possible that you have never heard of the Arcade Fire, or maybe you've been caught in an awkward indie conversation where you've heard of them, but haven't heard them. Let me tell you this: the word 'energy' scarcely describes what it is that the Arcade Fire deliver. Imagine, if you will, ten crazy Quebecoise running around a stage playing instruments including, but not limited to, violin, French horn, xylophone, an aluminum standup bass, accordion, mandolin, and hurdy gurdy. Also hitting pretty much anything available with a drumstick — errant cymbals, a marching tom, motorcycle helmets, the catch-all mics at the front of the stage, the lighting rig, each other. The band loves what their doing so much that you cannot help but be dragged in. Numerous instrument changes, sexy-but-not-slutty dancing, very tasteful multi-media and one of the best groups of concert-goers I've ever associated with. The last two songs before the encore were "Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)" and "Rebellion (Lies)" and the end of "Power Out' built up to an insane pitch before the opening of "Rebellion" snuck in underneath it all. Amazing. I'll admit it, I only knew about four AF songs prior to the show, but it doesn't matter. I'm including the three songs most necessary to get the most from the show.
So, I don't want to say too much about how awesome the show was because you'll stop believing me, but I would like to say that I don't know how Montreal could have contained all of this. When David Bowie found them and brought them to major label attention, he just may have saved that town from exploding.
I'm sorry, Billy Corgan, but I don't think that even Mellon Collie-era Pumpkins could hold a candle to this show. But I'm still excited to see what you've got.

Here's what my concert-going buddy Dave had to say about it…

Arcade Fire // Myspace // Buy Neon Golden

MP3eesies:

Arcade Fire - Rebellion (Lies) MP3

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/Arcade%20Fire%20-%20Rebellion%20(Lies).mp3]

Arcade Fire - Neighbourhood #3 [Power Out] MP3

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/Arcade%20Fire%20-%20Neighborhood%20Three%20Power%20Out.mp3]

Arcade Fire - Wake Up MP3

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/The%20Arcade%20Fire%20-%20Wake%20Up.mp3]

End of Summer and the Saddest Songs

Every once in a while I start listening to a bunch of Death Cab for Cutie and end up in a bit of a funk. Now I get to share! This song is one that I've decided on for the "Saddest Songs in the History of Ever" playlist that I'll never get around to making. So this is me officially declaring that I've given up on summer, though I'm sure you school-type kids have already been hit by the autumning of the world. Except you Southern Hemisphere blokes, but I can't please everyone. Maybe in March I'll repost this for you.

Hope your summer lovin' was excellent.

Death Cab for Cutie - Summer Skin (MP3)

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/Death%20Cab%20for%20Cutie%20-%20Summer%20Skin.mp3]

Concert Review : Rademacher & All About Rockets

I'm starting to feel like a real music journalist. Not only was I on the guestlist for last night's Rademacher show, but was invited to join the group for an after party. This has very little to do with my own charisma, and is mostly due to the guys in the band being really nice. But I'm getting a little ahead of myself. How 'bout that show?

I must say I was very impressed with Utah locals All About Rockets. At a time when many local bands seems to be tributes to either Taking Back Sunday or, if they have keyboards, Panic! At the Disco, All About Rockets decided that they didn't need to bother with that. Their sound comes from the bands that inspired them, like the Smashing Pumpkins and the Pixies. Dave made a pretty accurate observation about frontman and bassist Joe Gibbs: "It looks like he really wanted to play guitar, but wanted to have the best band possible so he accepted playing bass." It's pretty obvious from talking to Gibbs that his priority is simply good music, both listening to and making it. The band makes great use of loud/soft dynamics and infuse bits of smooth jazz (that's not Heart Machine EP

the right term, but it's what comes to mind) during some of the soft bits. Also, they are the second band I've seen where the drummer plays keys while drumming one-handed (the keyboard was bought for $15 at a thrift store the day before, they were determined to work it into the set). All About Rockets are heading off to Fresno to do a few shows, but will be back in Utah in August. I suggest you check them out if you're in the area.

I'm not sure anything I say can really do Rademacher justice. There were no more than 15 people at the Court that night, but they still brought amazing energy right from the start. I found out later that, because of the smaller crowd and relative obscurity, they were playing versions of the songs that were more designed for such an audience– louder, faster, simpler. They achieved their desired effect, that's to be sure. There were a few songs with shout-along bits that were very easy to pick up on, and fun to engage in. Especially when you see that Bhecky (drums) is also shouting, despite not being mic'd. It shows that they love the music they're making, and gives you even more reason to appreciate it. When a band is making good music and really feeling it, even with a minimal crowd there, it's really easy to get into the music. It's also great when you're able to understand the lyrics, at least most of the time, and when you can realize in that moment that they're not just good, they're right. Simply put, Rademacher make excellent music, and you should all be very, very excited for their first full-length to be released in September. Mike was nice enough to let me have an advance copy, and I'll be reviewing it for you as the release draws closer. I'll tell you right now that it's fantastic.

A little while before I first heard Rademacher, I was thinking about how much you can really hear the Talking Heads' influence in modern indie rock, but how nobody ever really brings it up. Everybody's all, "Oooh! The Pixies made all subsequent good music happen," or "If it weren't for Pavement, nothing would be worth putting in my ears," when it was David Byrne's odd yelping noises that got Frank doing it. I was so very pleased when I got the press stuff and saw that, while Rademacher recognize how excellent the Pixies and Modest Mouse and all of these bands are, they admit that the Talking Heads had a great influence on them. If you catch them in Fresno, you'll likely hear them throw down a Heads cover. I'll be writing more on the Heads soon, I think it's pretty important. Anyway, Rademacher do that frantic bit quite well, with high, somewhat nasal vocals reminiscent of Modest Mouse. Also they are very cool people, go see them, say hello.

Apologies to Letters for Scarlett, I don't remember much from your set. This mostly had to do with my habit of being late for shows at Kilby Court and missing most of it. Sorry.

All About Rockets ~~Official~~ // MySpace // ~~Grab Their CD~~

Rademacher Official // MySpace // Grab Their CD (New Album out this Fall)

History Lesson - The Pixies

I was up way too late Saturday watching TV. What caught me, and somehow convinced me that something worth watching would continue to be shown, was a rebroadcast of the Pixies on Austin City Limits . This re-formed Pixies, after Frank Black gained a lot of weight and everyone but Kim Deal shaved their heads. I guess I only caught the last half 'cuz there was an acoustic guitar that never got used. I assume it was for "Where is My Mind" and/or "Here Comes Your Man." I was so excited I had to commemorate it somehow, and then I realized that most people only know "Where is My Mind," and as good as that song is, it's really not fair to a band with as much import and influence as the Pixies. So here I present a handful of essential-type [that means 'my favourite'] Pixies tracks. You really should know this by now, I'm just helping out.

The Pixies Official // MySpace // Buy This CD

The Pixies - Dig For Fire MP3

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/The%20Pixies%20-%20Dig%20For%20Fire.mp3]

The Pixies - Here Comes Your Man MP3

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/The%20Pixies%20-%20Here%20Comes%20Your%20Man.mp3]

The Pixies - U-Mass MP3

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/The%20Pixies%20-%20U-Mass.mp3]

The White Stripes - Icky Thump

Since having the experience of The White Stripes rocking my socks on the last night at Bonnaroo, I've been on a total White Stripes kick. I've fallen in love with Icky Thump, and am working on the rest of their albums. The White Stripes is a band who I always thought seemed pretty interesting, but never got around to making the effort to listen to them. Which is understandable in my case, I think, as I have a stack of music backed up. Yes, I know. I'm horrible.

The album is totally fun, and so easy to dance to, as well as jump around like an idiot. I do that quite well. My significant other has told me it has some serious British-blues going on, and I think I agree. A little reminiscent of some Zeppelin I've heard. You can definitely hear some Nashville stylin's going on there, too. I'm afraid I'm horribly inarticulate when it comes to bands I'm grooving to and in love with. You'll have to excuse me.

Some favorite tracks are: Catch Hell Blues, I'm Slowly Turning Into You, A Martyr For My Love For You, Icky Thump, and 300 MPH Torrential Outpour Blues. I'm sure that will change over time, but for now, I'm really digging those.

Basically, it's fun, noisy, bluesy and rocky at the same time, and has a pizzazz that makes it special and different.

So, here are some select MP3s for you to rock out to. Enjoy.

Catch Hell Blues (MP3)

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/12-the_white_stripes-catch_hell_blues.mp3]

300 MPH Torrential Outpour Blues (MP3)

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/03-the_white_stripes-300_m_p_h_torrential_outpour_blues.mp3]

A Martyr For My Love For You (MP3)

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/11-the_white_stripes-a_martyr_for_my_love_for_you.mp3]

The White Stripes Official Website // MySpace // Do yourself a favor and buy Icky Thump

Reconsidered : Silversun Pickups - Carnavas

So I've decided that I greatly misjudged the SSPU album and I'm here to let you all know of my second thoughts. After hearing "Lazy Eye" on the radio a few times, and enjoying it quite a bit, I decided to give Carnavas another spin. Funny thing is that it was amazing. What once sounded flat and uninspired was now catchy and full of life. "Well Thought Out Twinkles" and "Common Reactor" were catchy; "Future Foe Scenarios" had an intensity that I'd missed the first time. The songs started to seem like actual songs instead of a sheer rock face of impenetrable noises. I don't know what changed, but I really like the album now. I hope I didn't ruin it for anybody.
Enjoy sounds!

Silversun Pickups Official // MySpazz // Buy Carnavas

Well Thought Out Twinkies

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/02%20Well%20Thought%20Out%20Twinkles.mp3]

Common Reactor

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/Silversun%20Pickups%20-%20Common%20Reactor.mp3]

Future Foe Scenarios

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/Silversun%20Pickups%20-%20Future%20Foe%20Scenarios.mp3]