In and Out: A Year in Loose Photos - 2007

Lori Baily:

Clipd Beaks

Kristeen Young

These Are Powers

Abbey Braden:

New Young Pony Club @ Studio B

Morrissey @ Hammerstein Ballroom

Simian Mobile Disco @ Gramercy Theater

The White Stripes @ MSG

Edwina Hay:

Kathy Foster of the Thermals @ McCarren Park Pool (August 2007)

M.I.A. @ Siren Festival (July 2007)

Leia Jospe:

Jemina Pearl of Be Your Own PET @ Maxwell's on Nov. 1st

Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley @ Roseland Ballroom (MTVu Awards) on Nov. 8th

Lovefoxxx of CSS @ Irving Plaza on June 1st

Mina K:

Kazu & Amadeo of Blonde Redhead - Webster Hall - 05.08.07

OOIOO - Knitting Factory - 03.20.07

Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth (Daydream Nation Tour) - McCarren Pool - 07.28.07

Sean O'Kane:

As Tall As Lions @ Highline Ballroom

The Rocket Summer @ The Crazy Donkey

Lupe Fiasco @ Irving Plaza

Chris Owyoung:

The Puppini Sisters @ BB Kings - 08/26/2007

VHS or Beta @ The Blender Theater - 11/16/2007

Modern Day Zero @ The Pageant (St. Louis) - 11/21/2007

Diana Wong:

Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeah's

Justice

Stellastarr*

Live Review + Album Review: Apes & Androids @Red Door [12.21.07] + Blood Moon Released!

Still groggy from our respective naps, my friends and I headed over to the Apes & Androids show in Chelsea. The performance space is simply called "Red Door" - upon entering, doubts rushed in. Was it worth disturbing my precious sleep to hear a good band get raped by bad acoustics and questionable atmosphere?

Apes & Androids struck their first chords as a fog machine rolled out some clouds. Their live set, showcasing much of their debut album Blood Moon, commanded us to move our limbs accordingly and sing along where our plebian vocal ranges allowed. Green laser lights shone through the band members onto the crowd, proving that laser lights aren't just for boy bands and stoner planetariums. Impressive multi-tiered harmonies and throwback stage antics had the audience in a tizzy. Any element of "bad" at this shoddy venue died a glamourous death.

I'd love to elaborate more on the show, but the last thing I will point out is the d-bag suited mess that spilled beer all over about five people in the audience, ending with a finale on my own dryclean-only shirt. Where do some show-goers come from? I digress...the key to this post is that Loose Record is publishing the first "official" words on Blood Moon before the blogosphere runs rampant with references to Queen, Prince, and Beck Hansen. Besides, I totally invented Queen in 1970.*

We graciously received our review copy at last Friday's show, the day the CD arrived from the press. I've since been asked how people can get it before the January 19th CD release show at Mercury Lounge, and my best answer is to keep checking their Myspace page for updates.

Blood Moon is an 18-track narrative that touches down to earth with strong hits "We Don't Understand You" and "Hot Kathy," and returns to the home planet after dropping the surprising epic "Riverside." One of the understated gems is "Sweetest Secret," a sexy number that tells a dark story and clinches with a satisfying snare-driven outtro. Acoustic guitar overdubs add an overall air of crispness and sparkle to much of this record. And it goes without saying that David and Brian's striking lead vocals, along with the band's harmonies, help brand Blood Moon as "pop-opera." (If you prefer, replace this with another made-up music fusion term.)

It's easy to note that "Johnny & Sarah" smells heavily of Queen, and similarly somewhere in the album there is a synth hit that distinctly reminds me of Queen's "Body Language." "Locked In A Car" channels Radiohead's sombre masterpiece "Life In A Glasshouse." While Apes & Androids' influences are clear, the outcome is far from a carbon copy. Blood Moon is a welcome and original product that walks at a different pace from the hoards of new music I've trod through in the past year. (Visualizing the stacks of promo CDs lined up against my wall from 2007 alone will help measure the weight of this statement.)

Your next steps:
1) Watch Apes & Androids live first and let your senses be overwhelmed.
2) Spend the $15 to buy the full album, rather than stalk blogs to piece a measly 4 tracks together.
3) Visit RCRD LBL and download the outtake "Creepy Girls."

[Live photos by Justin Ouellette]
* Fact checkers can chill out.

In and Out: Loose's Best and Worst of 2007!

A few weeks ago, we put out the call to our staff of writers and photographers to weigh in with their picks for the “best” and “worst” in music in 2007. Back in those more innocent days, it seemed like compiling everyone’s votes into a neat little list would be a fairly straightforward task - you’ve got your Neon Bible’s and your In Rainbows, your Kala’s and your Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga’s…

What we didn’t count on (but realize now that we should have) was the diverse and distinctive taste of our staff. Sorting through our various lists, it became clear that there was very little overlap among each contributors’ list. A cumulative top 10 of our favorite albums and songs began to seem out of the question.

Though it would have been nice to tally up a number of votes for the same elite batch of 2007 releases, it is quite a testament to our tastemaking staff to find that we have each cast our votes for a number of very different artists. But hey, if we all liked the same bands, I’d start to get the feeling that Big Brother was pulling some strings around here.

Nope, we can’t agree on much. Amy Winehouse, M.I. A., Conor Oberst, Okkervil River, Klaxons, Spoon, Modest Mouse, YACHT, (and yes, the infamous Liam and Me) all caused a rift between our voters, with some haters and some congratulators naming each in a variety of categories. Luckily, it seems we can agree that Rilo Kiley put out a pretty crappy album this year, and all of us could definitely live without hearing that Soulja Boy song ever again.

As far as songs we do love, The National are tied with Arcade Fire for best song, though the jury is spilt between “Fake Empire” vs. “Mistaken For Strangers” and “Intervention” vs. “Keep the Car Running”. We’ll call it even. Coming in second with an equal number of mentions are LCD Soundsystem, Calvin Harris, Blonde Redhead and No Age.


Shockingly enough, when it comes to album of the year, a clear winner has emerged. We are a Boxer bunch, with the National’s album the most frequently cited album listed on our writers’ top three lists. Coming in second with an equal number of mentions, were Radiohead’s In Rainbows and LCD Soundsystem (with votes for both Sound of Silver and 45:33). Rounding out our favorites with a respectable 2 nods each are Explosions in the Sky, The Shout Out Louds, Arcade Fire, Beirut, and Jens Lekman.

In terms of live shows, is it any surprise that Arcade Fire and Daft Punk received the most votes? Grizzly Bear, LCD Soundsystem, Klaxons, The White Stripes, and Sigur Ros received tied votes for second place.

As for our new favorite “animal” band category, Panda Bear edged out a victory over lupine runner-ups Le Loup and AIDS Wolf. Pelican, Bowerbirds, Super Furry Animals, Gorillaz and Bat for Lashes (get it?) rounded out our picks.

Our (mostly) NYC based staff has selected the reliable Bowery Ballroom as favorite live music venue, with six mentions in our poll. Coming in second with 3 votes is the Mercury Lounge. Least favorite? There’s no dispute that we don’t dig Webster Hall. Terminal 5 and Studio B have us split – with each getting some votes for best and for worst.

Let’s get down to our rock star crushes. We have a lot of them. Luckily, it looks like we won’t have to fight over ‘em, as the Loose crew seems to have very different taste in women and men. So hey, give us a call: Jens Lekman, Sufjan Stevens, Jona Bechtolt (YACHT), Stephen Malkmus circa 1999 (gonna need a time machine for that one), Conor Oberst, Zach Condon, Annie Clark (St. Vincent), Matt Berninger (The National), Hayley Williams (Paramore), Britt Daniel and Nick Zinner. The “cellist from Ra Ra Riot”, and “the female singer from the Jealous Girlfriends” (shouldn’t you at least look up the name of your rock star crushes?) were also named, and proving that we’re equal opportunity daters, apparently we’ll take any member of Datarock, the Coathangers, and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. But seriously, call us. (Except for maybe Stephen Malkmus circa 1999, because that would be eerie.)

Below, please find our writers’ and photographers’ individual lists, complete with lots of saucy commentary. Battle it out in the comments section folks.


Chuck Bell

Top 3 Albums:
1. The Fall of Troy - Manipulator - Tumbling through about 6 or 7 genres per song, the Fall of Troy have created a sound that is both brutal and poppy. Relentlessly complex guitar riffs, unfathomable time signatures, and borderline maniacal vocals make this my favorite album of 2007.
2. Explosions in the Sky – All of a Sudden, I Miss Everyone - EITS have yet to release an album that is not beautiful and emotionally satisfying. This one is no exception.
3. Minus the Bear – Planet of Ice- The Seattle math-rock quintet leaps miles beyond their indie contemporaries, developing their style, but somehow not their fan base.

Least Favorite Albums:
1. Soulja Boy – Souljaboytellem.com - Just in case you needed further proof that kids love retarded shit.
2. Liam and Me – There’s a Difference
Q: What’s the hardest part about being a Liam and Me fan?
A: Telling your parents that you’re gay.
3. Fall Out Boy – Infinity on High - R&Bemo? Shameful.

Top 3 Songs:
1. The National – “Fake Empire” - In perhaps one of the greatest opening tracks of the decade, the National evolve a minimalist piano line into an elaborate fanfare.
2. Jimmy Eat World – “Big Casino” - JEW delivers an arena-rock anthem that reminds fans why they still admit to liking them.
3. One Republic feat. Timbaland – “Apologize” - Timbaland manages to out-Coldplay Kanye.

Least Favorite Songs:
1. Shop Boyz – “Party Like a Rockstar” - As a white male, I’m offended. T-t-t-totally dude.
2. Amy Winehouse – “Rehab” - An overplayed, over-hyped song that’s every bit as wretched as she looks.
3. Will.i.am – “I Got It From My Mama” - It’s hard to believe the Black Eyed Peas were ever a legit hip-hop group.

Top 3 Live Shows:
1. The Dillinger Escape Plan @ Gramercy Theater - Fire-breathing, guitar-smashing, stage-leaping mayhem at its finest.
2. Explosions in the Sky @ Webster Hall - Even in front of a sold-out crowd at a major venue, EITS is able to devastate.
3. Coheed and Cambria @ Roseland Ballroom - Old-fashioned rock and roll theatrics, complete with stage props and backup singers.

Least Favorite Shows:
1. The Rentals @ Nokia Theater - This is the worst show I have ever seen in my life, and I’ve seen Good Charlotte open for New Found Glory. Don’t ask why.
2. The GoStation with Liam and Me @ Sin-e - Back-to-back sets by the two most boring bands on the scene.
3. Okkervil River @ Webster Hall - Thank God I was not reviewing this show. I left after 20 minutes.

Best Concert Venue:
The Mercury Lounge - They don’t always have the best bands playing, but if the smaller bands you love happen to play there, it’s bound to be electric.

Worst Concert Venue:
Terminal 5 - A poorly designed venue where it is far too difficult to get a drink or a decent spot to stand.

Favorite “animal” Band:
AIDS Wolf

Rock Star Crush:
Hayley Williams from Paramore - So cute and innocent, she makes Avril Lavigne look like a contestant on A Shot of Love with Tila Tequila.

Musician/Band I Love to Hate:
Conor Oberst / Bright Eyes - The definition of pretentious.

Abbey Braden

Top 3 Albums:
1. LCD Soundsystem- Sound of Silver
2. M.I.A.- Kala
3a. Muscles- Guns, Babes and Lemonade
3b. Simian Mobile Disco- Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release

…and I have just stopped caring about the Arcade Fire because everyone else does.

Top 3 Songs:
1. Justice - “D.A.N.C.E.”
2. The Cribs - “Men's Needs”
3. Datarock - “Fa Fa Fa”

Top 3 Live Shows:
1. LCD Soundsystem @ Bowery Ballroom
2. Daft Punk @ Coney Island
3. Grizzly Bear's Wordless Music Series @ the Society for Ethical Culture
... and any Tigercity gig.

Least Favorite Show:
The Dirty Projectors opening for Jarvis Cocker @ Webster Hall

Best Concert Venue:
Bowery Ballroom and Mercury Lounge are home. Studio B, apart from the suffocating clusterf*ck that was the Klaxons' second show, is high on the list for photo reasons, and Terminal 5 (despite the hike required to reach it) is climbing the list.

Worst Concert Venue:
Webster is just a foggy firetrap.

Favorite "animal" Band:
Panda Bear! Because The Ponies shouldn't take the crown 2 years in a row.

Rock Star Crush:
Um, all of Datarock.

Musician/band I Love to Hate:
Yeah I don't need an indie lightning bolt to strike me when i step out the door

Looking forward to in 2008:
Walter Meego, Midnight Juggernauts, Hot Chip, and Crystal Castles

AND:

We are Wolves, if placed in a dark alley with Wolfmother, Wolf Parade, Sea Wolf, and Aids Wolf... would come out on top. With or without their skulls!

Jason Dean

Top 3 Albums:
1. Love of Diagrams - Mosaic
2. Explosions In The Sky - All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone...
3. Bowerbirds - Hymns For a Dark Horse

Least Favorite Albums:
1. Klaxons – Myths of the Near Future- I don't get it, they sound like when the Red Hot Chili Peppers went shitty.
2. The National - Boxer - I tried and tried, I just don't get it.
3. Modest Mouse – We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank - They are dead to me.
4. Spoon – Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga - It's good, but not nearly as great as Kill The Moonlight. An average transition album.

Top 3 Songs:
(According to my itunes):
1. Love of Diagrams – “Form and Function”
2. Explosions in the Sky – “The Birth and Death of the Day”
3. Arcade Fire - “Intervention” - Epic hair-raising greatness every time I hear it. I want to be over it, but I'm not, that goes for the album. They did it again.

Least Favorite Songs:
1. Liars – “Houseclouds” - I've got news for you liars... we liked you because you didn't sound like shitty dance music.
2. Any Amy Winehouse - Awful, I really can't think of anything worse, as a person or musically period.
3. Film School – “Florida” – A perfect example of what isn't working from this previously promising band. Overproduction will kill everything.

Top 3 Live Shows:
1. The Fucking Champs @ Studio B - They don't talk, it is pure complex distorted metal guitar and drums for an hour. This is what aliens will be listening to after our civilization is long gone.
2. Lightning Bolt @ Northsix - So glad I got to witness this band live.
3. Matt and Kim @ Sirenfest at Coney Island - They won over a huge free show crowd instantly, and rocked them to the point of crowd surfing. Best thing there.

Least Favorite Shows:
1. Architecture in Helsinki - Doesn't translate live, weird energy, the crowd is no fun surprisingly. Feels to put together and sponsored, too scene-y.
2. The New York Dolls @ Sirenfest - I know why they are historically significant, I'm not even going to try to understand why they sucked balls- has it been too long? Who knows, who cares. Sucky Suck, I could tell from the cyclone, which was so much more fun.

Best Concert Venue:
McCarren Pool Death by Audio Coney Island

Worst Concert Venue:
Studio B - Obnoxious fucking DJ's. Is this the fucking Limelight? Get those stupid lights out of my eyes and get off the mic, I'm not staying for whatever ridiculous dance party mess you have planned later.
Irving Plaza
Whitney Museum

Favorite "animal" Band: Pelican

Rock Star Crush:
The Coathangers - the kind of band you want to go back in time and start yourself, but take having fun seriously, and be talented, making something out of nothing.

Musician/Band I Love to Hate:
Amy Winehouse Adam Green

Edwina Hay

Top 3 Albums:
1. PJ Harvey - White Chalk
2. Future of the Left - Curses
3. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

Top 3 Songs:
1. M.I.A. – “Paper Planes”
2. Bangers & Cash- “Loose”
3. Dizzee Rascal – “Sirens”

Least Favorite Songs:
1. Soulja Boy- “Crank Dat (Soulja Boy)” - Please don't make me explain. Let's just leave it as: it is sexist and the Macarena of 2007.

Top 3 Live Shows:
1. The White Stripes @ Irving Plaza
2. LCD Soundsystem @ Bowery Ballroom
3. !!! @ Studio B

Least Favorite Show:
Lady Sovereign @ Studio B. Went on extremely late and left the stage after two songs, in tears.

Best Concert Venue:
Bowery Ballroom

Worst Concert Venue:
Randall's Island

Favorite "animal" Band:
Gorillaz

Rock Star Crush:
Tie: PJ Harvey (female) and James Murphy (male)

Top 3 albums of 2007 that I bought on vinyl:
1. Shellac - Excellent Italian Greyhound
2. Les Savy Fav - Let's Stay Friends
3. Double Dagger - Ragged Rubble

Alena Kastin

Top 3 Albums:
1. The National - Boxer
2. Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala
3. Radiohead - In Rainbows

Least Favorite Album:
Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga - I love this band, but never felt like listening to this album. Boring.

Top 3 Songs:
1. Panda Bear -"Bros"
2. Beirut- “Elephant Gun"
3. Jens Lekman -"A Postcard to Nina"

Top 3 Live Shows:
1. The Blow @ Fordham University - 3/3/07 – I went all the way to the Bronx for this. Khaela Maricich countered poor sightlines by having us assemble around her in height order, then she danced on a chair to Jona Bechtolt’s insane beats. Sweaty and so much fun.
2. Valgeir Sigurdsson, Sandro Perri and Nico Muhly – Wordless Music concert series @ Good Shepard Faith Church - 10/5/07 – It would have been a dreamy night of lush, emotive music even if Will Oldham and Sigur Ros hadn’t made special appearances. They did though, and the night was almost surreal.
3. Jens Lekman @ Webster Hall and MHOW - 10/27 and 10/28 – The cutest man alive? At MHOW, a woman yelled out, "I want to have your baby!!" and Jens looked up at her very sincerely and replied, "I'm not ready yet."

Least Favorite Show:
The Pipettes @ Bowery Ballroom 3/13/07 – Their music convinced me that they would be an ironic, DIY group of sassy girls that I would have idolized in high school. Instead, their coordinated costumes and polished dance moves made me feel like I was watching the indie Spice Girls.

Favorite "animal" Band:
Panda Bear

Rock Star Crush:
Too many: Jona Bechtolt (YACHT), Jens Lekman, and Sufjan Stevens.

Musician/Band I Love to Hate: Klaxons

Best Concert Venue:
I love the Bowery Ballroom, and MHOW is growing on me.

Worst Concert Venue: Webster Hall

Undecided: Terminal 5. I was hard on you at first, but I’ll give you one more shot. ONE MORE.

RIP - The Hook – you were so close to my house.

Mina K

Top 3 Albums:
1. Blonde Redhead - 23 - If you doubt the lush flavors this seasoned
trio has perfected in the album 23, you should make an appointment with your ear doctor and get a clue injection.
2. Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped - The dirty rockers finally indulged
long-time fans with a return to form!
3. Beirut - The Flying Club Cup

Least Favorite Album:
Rilo Kiley - Put Me On A Ship And Sink It (aka Under The Blacklight) - Jenny Lewis is getting a little old to have yet to find her true voice.

Top 3 Songs:
1. Blonde Redhead - "The Dress" tied with "Silently"
2. Calvin Harris - "Merrymaking At My Place" - This track jump-started my day for a month straight, so I have to give it props.
3. DNTL feat. Conor Oberst - "Breakfast In Bed"

Least Favorite Song:
(Anything by) Mika: "Lollipop"

Top 3 Live Shows:
1. 77 Boadrum @ Brooklyn Bridge Park - The Boredoms' outdoor 77-drummer
spiral - This once-in-a-lifetime show felt like the best sober drug
trip ever, for those lucky enough to gain entrance to the park.
2. OOIOO @ Knitting Factory - I wish Yoshimi would induct me into her
skilled animal cult- I mean band.
3. Apes & Androids @ Studio B

Least Favorite Show:
Vietnam @ Irving Plaza - I think I grew a beard as long as theirs at this show.

Best Concert Venue:
Studio B

Worst Concert Venue:
Silent Barn in the summer (heat stroke, anyone?)

Favorite "animal" band:
Le Loup

Rock star crush:
Stephen Malkmus circa 1999

Musician/band I love to hate:
Liam & Me - Because no matter how much mud I fling at them, Geoff licks them clean.

Asher Lack

Top 3 Albums:
1. Meho Plaza – Meho Plaza - These guys are on our label and the album won’t be out in stores until spring but I’ve been listening to it non stop since we toured with them last summer. They sound like robots on acid and if they lived in Brooklyn instead of LA they would be the hippest people in the universe.
2. Basia Bulat - Oh My Darling - She did her album in the same studio where we recorded ours with Howard Bilerman. The arrangements and her voice are so delicate. It reminds me of wind in the grass and warm summer sunlight.
3. Brendan Reed / Noh Cars Go – Demos (self released) - He used to drum in an amazing Montreal band called Les Angles Morts. His demos are these crazy out there disjointed collages but they have so many brilliant ideas crammed into each one that they are very inspiring.

Top 3 Songs:
1. Young Joc – “It’s Goin’ Down”
2. Amy Winehouse – “Rehab”
3. Sean Kingston – “Beautiful Girls”

Best Concert Venue:
The Bowery Ballroom is still the place that holds a real special spot in my heart.

Top Live Show:
I stumbled into The Walkmen playing at The Mercury Lounge during CMJ and was pretty blown away by what a presence their singer had onstage. Afterward we met the band and I was double impressed by what down to earth guys they all were and that they moved their own gear (including a piano!).

Least Favorite Live Show:
I saw Peter Bjorn and John at Webster Hall and had to leave before their third encore. I was exhausted by how much they played. If you’re going to do more than three albums worth of material in a single show, you should have the courtesy to hand out drugs to the audience to keep it interesting.

Musicians I Hate To Love:
Right now I am trying not to regret anything that I’m listening to. I’m sure this will be like when I decide to eat vegetarian or exercise every morning (i.e. completely futile) so check back in a few weeks.

Musician/Band I Love To Hate:
All these bands citing Bruce Springsteen as a touchstone are starting to get to me a bit with their lack of humor. I’m not saying you need to be Weird Al Yankovich but is it too much to ask for a band to smile in at least one press photo? You get paid to entertain people for God’s sake; it’s not that serious.

Anna Loosli

Top 3 Albums:
1. Les Savy Fav - Let's Stay Friends
2. Shout Out Louds - Our Ill Wills
3. Leviethan - Monuments in Memory of Nothing So Far

Top 3 songs:
1. Les Savy Fav – “Scotchguard the Credit Card
2. You Say Party! We Say Die! - “Moon”
3. Modest Mouse – “Parting of the Sensory”

Favorite Live Show:
Cheeseburger/Les Savy Fav @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

John Melillo

Top 3 Albums:
1. No Age - Weirdo Rippers - The first album from this noise/punk/art duo. Lo-fi techniques that happen to create a symphonic feedback swirl. Technically not a "new" album this is the collection of songs that they have previously released only on vinyl EP. Now they are a bit easier to track down, and the songs are just as insanely good.
2. Thurston Moore - Trees Outside the Academy - He's still got it! Way better than his other solo venture. On some songs: an amazing turn to the acoustic guitar without becoming a folk revivalist or Neil Young. On others (in particular "Wonderful Witches"): pure rock bliss.
3a. The National - Boxer - This is the indie album that everyone knows, sings, quotes on their Facebook page...but who can resist when it's so well crafted.
3b. Radiohead - In Rainbows - It's too bad that the Internet release created such a stir because people don't talk about the songs enough: and they are different, sad, beautiful...

Least Favorite Album:
Smashing Pumpkins - Zeitgeist - BLECH.

Top 3 songs:
1. The National "Fake Empire" - It's devastating.
2. No Age "Dead Plane" - how do you 1.) Create some of the lushest soundscapes out there with the rock n' roll equivalent of a pencil and piece of scrapbook paper and 2.) rock the hell out of everyone... all in the same song? Makes me want to jump up and around and yell.
3. Radiohead "Videotape" - When I'm at the pearly gates, this will be on my videotape.

Top 3 Live Shows:
1. Sonic Youth in Marfa Texas for the Chinati Open House Weekend - Sonic Youth for free in a cement and metal shack on the edge of a town with a population of maybe perhaps 1000...it's going to be hard to top that. Ever. Words: surreal, perfect, psychotic, frenzy, passion, ecstatic. Worth traveling more than half way across the country for.
2. Grizzly Bear @ Society for Ethical Culture (Wordless Music Series) - Simple: just one of the best sounding live experiences ever.
3a. Japanther @ P.S. 122, "3D Dinosaur Death Dance": Multimedia extravaganza! Dancing! Video Art! Live Music! Crazy band with telephones for microphones! Lizard brain dance immersion: you couldn't help but move and laugh and think about things like dinosaurs and love and the state of the world we're in.
3b. The Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular - Multimedia extravaganza! Dancing! Video Art! Live Music! Crazy organ dudes who literally have diamonds on the soles of their shoes! Lizard brain crowd immersion: you couldn't help but disappear in a cloud of insane--no, seriously, like out of your wits literally insane-- uncontrollable--glee (until the non-pagan stuff comes on at the very end and then you're bored).

Xtina

Top 3 Albums:
1. Okkervil River - The Stage Names - It's just a life story, but it’s fucking good.
2. Beirut - The Flying Club Cup - Zach Condon (see rockstar crush) came to the rescue at just the right time to turn my music frown upside down. This album is beautiful.
3. The National - Boxer - I thought this one was a little boring at first. I even played the hater card. But then I let it sing me to sleep for a few months straight. Now I'm a lover.

Least Favorite Album:
Rilo Kiley - Under the Blacklight - Throw this away.

Top 3 Songs:
1. LCD Soundsystem – “All my Friends” - Obviously.
2. Arcade Fire – “Keep the Car Running” - I didn't put this as one of my top albums, but it came close.
3. Shout Out Louds – “Normandie” - I dig songs that make me want to go on vacation.

Least Favorite Song:
Bright Eyes – “Make a Plan to Love Me” - Ew.

Top 3 Live Shows:
1. White Stripes @ Irving Plaza - 2hrs of Jack and Meg, a perfect set list, and I'll always have a place for Irving Plaza in my heart, even though it sold its soul to the devil a few years back.
2. Bright Eyes @ Town Hall - I went three out of the five times. They were all good, but for some reason the Wednesday show was incredible. I heart Conor.
3. Arcade Fire @ Radio City - I know the United Palace show was better, but I wasn't there.
4. Daft Punk @ Keyspan - I didn't go to this but I put it on my list anyway. That's how good it was.

Favorite New “animal” Band:
Bowerbirds - I had to check first to see if this was a real animal. It is.

Rock Star Crush:
It’s a tie between Conor and Condon.

Musician/Band I Love to Hate:
YACHT - I will never get it.

Favorite Concert Venue:
Bowery - Hands down.

Worst Concert Venue:
Luna Lounge - You made so many bands sound terrible. Fix that.

Geoff Nelson

Top 3 Albums:
1. The National - Boxer
2. The Shout Out Louds - Our Ill Wills
3. The Winter Kids - Memoirs

Top 3 Songs:
1. The National – “Mistaken For Strangers"
2. Winter Kids "Your Eyes Are Like Mine"
3. LCD Soundsystem - "North American Scum"

Top 3 Live Shows:
1. Arcade Fire and The National at United Palace Theater (5.08.07)
2. Manchester Orchestra at The Knitting Factory (8.16.07)
3. Dead Confederate at The Mercury Lounge (11.28.07)

Best Concert Venue:
Mercury Lounge. Undefeated, untied and still the champ.

Worst Concert Venue:
The Annex. Darker than a place around the corner called "Dark Room" and leads to all sorts of awkward conversations that begin with, "I don't know if she was cute. I was drunk and it was so dark ...."

Favorite “Animal Band”:
AIDS Wolf - In a landslide.

Rock Star Crush:
The cellist from Ra Ra Riot. In a tie with the female singer from The Jealous Girlfriends. Only difference is Ra Ra Riot are a great live band and The Jealous Girlfriends clear out venues like a case of SARS.

Musician/Band I Love To Hate
Everyone except The Mess Hall. Come back to America, you Aussie fucks. You're the best live rock band on earth right now.

Sean O’Kane

Top 3 Albums:
1. Interpol - Our Love to Admire - The default winner? Some say it's less adventurous than the previous albums, I just think it's way better.
2. Manchester Orchestra - I'm Like A Virgin Losing A Child - Ok so the album actually got released in Fall of '06, but it got a Major Label pressing/release this year, so that counts right? I'll let that limit it from being number one, because it easily would be. This album has not stopped rotation on my iPod, laptop, or radio show for months now.
3. The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible - This wouldn't have even been on my list any more than 3 or 4 weeks ago, but I finally gave it a good, even chance.

Least Favorite Albums (or albums that disappointed the most):
1. Jimmy Eat World - Chase This Light - No, it's not because it doesn't sound like they're older stuff. No, it's not because I'm not used to their 'new sound.' It's because when isolated as its own album and then compared to other music being made by my favorite bands, this one doesn't even begin to stack up. It's too easy, from the melodies to the lyrics.
2. Foo Fighters - Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace - Although I can't quite call this one a disappointment; making albums that are just pretty decent is what the Foo Fighters MO has turned into. But it gets the spot because for the 2nd album in a row they have put out an ear-splittingly powerful single and not backed it up with the rest of the album. Something is to be said when the 2nd best song on the album behind the single is an acoustic jam featuring guest artist Khaki King.
3. Straylight Run - The Needles, The Space - Honestly this is a good album, but it falters as much as it succeeds. The first half is great, then it unexpectedly dies, and just when it's coming back again the album is over.

Top 3 Songs:
1. Kanye West – “Stronger” - I don't think I've repeated lyrics more in my life.
2. Arcade Fire – “Intervention” - Rock Ballad to the Nth degree
3. Interpol – “No I in Threesome” - So good, and an amazing second song on the album.

Best Live Shows:
1. Brand New feat. Kevin Devine & Manchester Orchestra @ Irving Plaza, 4/22/07. Nothing says party like 3 different bands that all make cameo appearances during the other sets they're not playing. Every member of this tour was having a BLAST and it showed, resulting in a 10 minute absolute destruction of the stage during Brand New's "Welcome to Bangkok."
2. The Rocket Summer, @ Pick a show, any show. Probably the only way he (or is it them) isn't number 1 on this list is that there were not many headlining dates. Warped Tour was great, so was the Crazy Donkey on LI. But the show at the Knitting Factory in May was sweaty, colorful, and full of Bryce Avary's enthusiasm, which is what makes him by far the best performer on the road today.
3a. Drug Rug @ Bowery Ballroom's Friday CMJ Showcase, 10/19/07. Even with the CMJ-shortened set of around 30 minutes, this was one of the most mind-blowing performances of the whole year. Energy x 100, these guys (and gal) had at that point only been touring as a band for 2 weeks, something that did not show at all during their set. Raw, bluesy, ballsy, and every other -sy you can think of.
3b. As Tall As Lions @ Highline Ballroom, 7/20/07. Beautiful lighting + Dan Nigro's incredible one-of-a-kind voice = a show that should be ranked higher but gets squeezed out by competition. Plus this show is possibly going to DVD, so it can be recaptured.

Worst Live Shows:
1. The Pierces @ Highline Ballroom, 7/20/07. Maybe it was the fact that this band centers around 2 frontwomen who dance in synch. Or maybe it was that they all looked over the hill. But it was probably because they were squeezed between stellar openers The Snake, The Cross, The Crown, and not-afraid-to-blow-you-away headliner As Tall As Lions.

Best Concert Venue:
Bowery Ballroom - Maybe it's because I spent a good 5% of my year there, and at some points practically slept there. There were so many good shows there this year it's impossible to really pick anywhere else.

Worst Concert Venue:
The Delancey? It's hard to find a really atrocious venue, but the Delancey is just cramped, packed, hot, and poorly lit, all of which could actually make for a good venue with different circumstances.

Favorite "Animal" Band:
Panda Bear. There are a bunch of bands I was about to type, and then realized they weren't animals.

Rock Star Crush:
1. Annie Clark (St. Vincent)
2. Emily Haines (Metric)
3. Sarah Cronin (Drug Rug)

Musician/Band I Love to Hate:
Islands/Unicorns/Th' Corn Gangg - I love these guys to death, but after seeing the Unicorns four years ago, they have been atrocious at keeping a band together, keeping tour dates, or doing anything besides put out great music. Frustrating is a more accurate term.

Megan Petty

Top 3 Albums:
1. The National - Boxer - The good ship Mope has sailed back into town, proving that sad boys make the best music.
2. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga - More jingle jangle magic from the great city of Austin. Could Britt Daniel be any more awesome?
3. LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver - Sarcasm, big beats, and that James Murphy singing-talking thing. Even better than I thought possible.

Top 3 Songs:
1. The 1900s - "Two Ways" - Flashing back to Fleetwood Mac, in the best way possible.
2. Spoon -"You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb" - Saucy, delightful, and charming. All things one would expect from Spoon.
3. Blonde Redhead -"23" - Probably the most ethereal moment of the year, like a good dream you don't want to wake up from.

Top 3 Live Shows:
1. The Klaxons (Transit, Philadelphia, April 14) - I'm a big proponent of any band who can make me jump up and down in sheer gleeful abandon, and these young Londoners made it happen. Not to be missed.
2. Art Brut (9:30 Club, Washington, DC, November 20) - Cheeky chappies that improve every single time. Art Brut makes me want to rock out.
3. The Smashing Pumpkins (9:30 Club, Washington, DC, July 11) - Sure, it was only Billy and Jimmy, but the hype itself and the thrill of serious nostalgia made this top show material.

Best Concert Venue:
The 9:30 Club (DC). But don't take my word for it, ask all those people who keep giving it awards for Best Venue.

Favorite “animal” band:
This might be cheating, but I'll always love Super Furry Animals the best. It's so vague that it encompasses all creatures, great and small.

Rock Star Crush:
There are so many, but I'd say the big ones are Matt Berninger (the National), Britt Daniel (Spoon), and all of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.

Band I Hate to Love:
Arctic Monkeys. They're so good, but because of their smugness and cockiness I feel a little dirty about it.

Adam Weinberg

Top 3 Albums:
1. Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala - Good morning music.
2. Radiohead - In Rainbows - Good mourning music.
3. Stars of the Lid - And their Refinement of the Decline The cure for Attention Deficit Disorder.

Top 3 Songs:
1. Miracle Fortress – “Maybe Lately”- The Beach Boys meet My Bloody Valentine. 'Nuff said.
2. The Acorn – “Crooked Legs” - Not until this finishes can I stop for dew covered daisies.
3. Feist – “I Feel It All”

Top 3 Live Shows:
1. The Sea and Cake @Webster Hall, 06.07.07
2. Sigur Ros @ Florence Gould Hall, 10.06.07
3. M. Ward @ Town Hall, 01.26.07

Favorite "animal" Band:
Le Loup

Diana Wong

Top 3 Albums:
1. Shocking Pinks - s/t
2. Fire Engines - Hungry Beat - Kinda cheating; new release of old stuff.
3. LCD Soundsystem - 45:33

Top 3 Songs:
1. Calvin Harris -"The Girls"
2. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Rockers to Swallow"
3. No Age – “Every Artist Needs a Tragedy"

Least Favorite Song:
M.I.A. - "Boyz"

Top 3 live shows:
1. Daft Punk @ Coney Island (believe the hype)
2. No Age @ Barnard College
3. Klaxons @ Coachella (amazing vibe)

Least Favorite Live Show:
Razorlight @ Gramercy Theater - It felt like a pointless concert. Why did they have to tack on this random gig to their non-tour? also Johnny Borrell's ego absolutely saturated the stage, I felt so bad for the other "band" mates.

Best Concert Venue:
Knitting Factory

Worst Concert Venue:
Webster Hall

Favorite "animal" band:
Bat for Lashes (play on words!)

Rock star crush:
Nick Zinner (guitarist, photographer, producer, his hair)

Musician/band I love to hate:
M.I.A.

Band we (well, I) love to hate because the masses started loving them:
Tie: Justice and M.I.A.

Most momentous concert that basically felt like the modern Woodstock, one that everyone was there, to be talked about for years to come:
Tie: Daft Punk and Arcade Fire/LCD Soundsystem/et. al @ Randall's Island

In and Out: Indie Rock Stars! They're Just Like Us!

At the risk of sounding like a Loose stalker, I submit, for your approval, the first (and probably last) installment of a new segment highlighting the everyday lives of some of your favorite indie stars.



Spotted: One Mr. Sufjan Stevens, laden with shopping bags (Christmas gifts we assume) standing on the Brooklyn-bound F train platform Thursday night. Sending hearts aflutter, the BQE-loving singer stood only several feet away from us as we waited, and waited, and waited some more for the tardy train.

We let one packed train go by before squeezing into a second. Alas, Stevens and his shopping bags would not fit. He resigned himself to wait for another train, seeking solace in a book.

As the doors closed and the train pulled away from the station, we said a silent goodbye to our fellow straphanger. Happy Holidays, Sufjan. Hope you got home OK.

(In hopes of redeeming myself the slightest bit, please also check out Sufjan's thoughts on the overwhelming task of selecting the winner of THE GREAT SUFJAN SONG XMAS XCHANGE!)

[Photo courtesy of Asthmatic Kitty]

Loose Event: CYHSY benefit show for Planned Parenthood

Next year is all about parties. In celebration of this Loose resolution we are proud to announce a special show we've helped organize with our good friends at Planned Parenthood. The event is a benefit concert for Planned Parenthood NYC in celebration of the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. For more information on the organization please visit http://www.plannedparenthood.org/nyc/

Here are the details:
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (and other special guests who we all love and know you'll love too)
Tuesday, January 22nd
Bowery Ballroom
Doors open 7pm

This show is going to be amazing so buy your tickets now. All $$ goes to charity.

Live Photos: Le Loup @Mercury Lounge [12.13.07]

In remorse for not having posted any photos of Le Loup's lead singer Sam Simkoff on my CMJ review, this post is visually devoted to him. The below photos were taken at last Thursday night's Mercury Lounge gig, where the band was opening for Margot & the Nuclear So & So's. The first pair of shots depict Calm Sam, and the last pair feature him turned up to 11.

Being an evangelical fan of Le Loup, I'm tempted to boast that everyone should have caught this show, but the truth is that I think the talented kids were a little off their game after the 8.5 hour drive from Boston through snow and slush. There are seven players, which warrants tight coordination, and I think fatigue simply didn't fold in seamlessly on this particular night.

That being said, I still reveled in the heart emanating from the ensemble's lively set, which was refreshingly honest in comparison to the overly-polished and substance-void headliners to follow. The set reminded me of a good ol' hillbilly punk O'Death show, except that the audience consisted of very un-hillbilly people sporting gigantic fake Balenciaga bags. Perhaps Le Loup could benefit from touring with a headliner who draws a more energetic, soulful crowd.

[Photos by Mina K]

Live Review: The Most Serene Republic at Southpaw [12.13.07]

"We're Canadian, we don't bite", said Adrian Jewett, lead singer of The Most Serene Republic, tempting the timid crowd at Brooklyn's Southpaw to edge closer to the stage. "We just have opinions and sit on porches,” he continued, going on to list half a dozen other Canadian stereotypes as the crowd continued to fill in around the stage. Yes, like Arts & Crafts labelmates Broken Social Scene and Stars, The Most Serene Republic are an exuberant orchestral pop collective. But before you scoff and pigeonhole the band as just another sprawling group from Canada, you might want to get off your high horse and take a listen - The Most Serene Republic have a sound and style quite singular from the rest of the bunch. There’s certainly something to be said for a band whose lead singer doubles as a trombonist.







Showcasing songs from their new record Population, the group’s major strength quickly emerged in the well-balanced interplay between Jewett and vocalist/guitarist Emma Ditchburn’s vocals. Ditchburn’s sweet harmonies are the perfect complement to Jewett’s energetic cries, tempering his frenetic energy with cool, reserved assurance. Amy Milan comparisons wouldn’t be far off, but remember, we’re not comparing The Most Serene Republic to any of those other Canadian supergroups.









The performance on this night was lively and raucous (they even banged on pots and pans), yet still quite polished and controlled -there’s probably no danger of these folks destroying instruments or trashing the stage. The band also proved to be quite chatty – perhaps it was the small crowd that put them at ease, or maybe they’re always this amiable. After telling us about their desire to see the new Coen brothers film No Country for Old Men and about popping a tire on their trailer earlier that day, the conversation turned to the dreadful weather of the day, the snow and sleet and general winter misery. Somehow Jewett ended up going off on an animated tangent about his love of retro video games. After our chat, it appeared that the band thought it might be a good idea to play another song before the night ended, and launched into the brassy and ebullient “Present of Future End”, a song composed of jazzy, multi-layered verses, a sing-along worthy chorus, and an uplifting instrumental climax that those jokers in the Arcade Fire would be proud to call their own.





“We bonded over videogames tonight, Brooklyn!” proclaimed Jewitt as the group abandoned their instruments and left the stage. Did we? Sure, why not. I prefer to think that The Most Serene Republic used their unique sound to break down some stereotypes about the music made by our indie rock neighbors to the North. But you know, video games are cool too.

[Photos by Lori Baily]

Live Review: We Are Wolves at the Knitting Factory [12.13.07]

December 13th was an epic night. I managed to catch three shows and also had the experience of getting into a cab whose driver took me three blocks in the wrong direction before trying to turn the wrong way up Broadway when I told him to turn around! Getting back to the music, though, it was really a great evening. The first stop, and subject of this review, was the Knitting Factory to see the Montreal band We Are Wolves.

WAW is made up of Alexander Ortiz (vox/bass/guitar), Vincent Levesque (synths/drum machine/vox), and Antonin Marquis (drums/percussion) and they play an amazing (mystically enhanced!) blend of darkly-tinted post-punk dance music, in both French and English. Unfortunately I arrived a bit late and missed the first couple of songs, but came in right as the band was launching into "Teenage Bats and Anthropology." I've been listening to WAW lately, and have really liked their album so I was definitely looking forward to this show and was disappointed I missed the first half of their set. I was not disappointed in their live act, though this was the first time I had ever seen them play, but I was surprised by how similar to their recorded album the music sounded. Normally bands sound fairly different in a room larger than my headphones, but WAW held it together and really sounded spectacular. I was, however, anticipating a bit more venom in their live show.

In any case, WAW quickly followed up with "Vietnam" and "Coconut Night," both songs off their current release Total Magique (Dare to Care; September 2007). The band members were solid, made no mistakes, and even managed to banter a bit with the crowd in French. I think the best aspect of seeing live music is being able to watch how musicians interact with their audience, and this was no exception. To see Ortiz, in a red and black plaid lumberjack shirt and mohawk-verging-on-mullet flirt with the audience in a quintessentially French way (giddy with applause, showing off, yet with style and reserve) totally cracked me up. Perhaps my amusement results from having grown up in the Northwest where lumberjacks were big, burly, axe-wilding, testosterone-exuding rednecks... wait, minus the big and burly, I just described Alex Ortiz perfectly. WAW certainly exude testosterone.

Sadly, the show ended soon after I arrived (I only got to hear five songs), but it was enough to make me a converted fan of the band. I think that these guys are fun to listen to, fun to watch onstage, and also accessible to a wide range of people. Their music is post-punk dance rock with simple, yet sharp lyrics. The last song they played was "Total Magique," en français, and I think we were all sad when it ended. Come back and play for us again soon!

[Photos by Cecilia Song]

Live Review: Deer Tick at Union Pool [12.07.07]

Deer Tick is a classic country-western combination of finger picked electric guitar, stand up bass and brushed snare drums. You are headed into Hank Williams, Willie Nelson country. It's that vintage country western, but not exactly. It has the same feeling, the authenticity, not exactly sound. Does it fit into something like alt-country? I've never liked that categorization or any of the bands associated with it. It's too generalized, and overused.

You definitely wouldn't think of this type of music coming out of Rhode Island, and I have wonder how this would be received in a place like Nashville or Austin. I think it would be hard for audiences in those places to separate the band from the place. What right do they have, coming here? And they would only be saying that because they would be better than any local band. Is it successful here on the East Coast because it's a something of a novelty? No... there's probably a million bar bands that play electric country and cover the Beatles. It's more than that for sure. Is it kind of a new sound, like Dylan's electric folk combination at Newport?

Lead singer, John McCauley wants to make it very clear that he is NOT influenced by Bob Dylan, he does owns John Wesley Harding, but, "seriously didn't listen to Bob Dylan until like a year ago." The comparison isn't a mistake, this is more than just the gravely, strained, nasal vocals, it's completely Dylan, in his early electric period, a really really good Dylan, maybe without the burden of realizing it.

Of course they are influenced by the blues also, covering "Bring Me My Shotgun" by Lighting Hopkins. It was good enough, but I wanted to them to get back to their brand of playing and singing about guns, loneliness, getting drunk, and gold. The typical country sad themes. That could be another problem for this 21 year songwriter. We could easily scoff and say, how can he possibly know what the hell he's singing about? Except that they are just plain talented.

John wins the crowd over, talking in between songs about how Kurt Cobain would flip them the bird and say "I've got your freebird right here," how they played the night before with the Mountain Goats and some kid came up to him with a note for John Darnielle. At first he was just going to throw it away, but then he had to read it...it said "Hey John I think you're great. if you want to hang out with me and my bros in our dorm room and drink 40's here's my number." He stuck it under his door and later asked him if he got his note 'about the 40's.' He didn't think they'd play with them anytime again soon. None of it is hokey, he's not trying too hard, he just thinks you'll like it as much as he does.

To end the night they covered "Sleep Walk", the 50's slide guitar instrumental which transitioned suddenly into an epic double time "La Bamba". Union pool lost their collective mind. Chris Ryan wasn't even struggling to keep up the insanely intricate bass lines that I didn't even know existed in the song. Seeing this it live, I could even appreciate what this fusion must have been like for those audiences of early rock and roll, it still has something to be appreciated done by a band that is fusing something themselves, and honestly loving the song. I've heard it covered a million places, from all kinds of bands, enough to be really sick of it...but I hadn't heard it like this.

John and Dennis traded instruments and stretched out a big finish for minutes, crashing cymbals, and guitar scale solos. But they still weren't finished and John, taking the stage, sang "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" acapella, not at all ironically, again just appreciating this popular songwriting, with all the appeal of Tony Bennet, a country Elvis or early Dylan, it's all there. I'm going to stop trying to figure it out.

[Bad Photos by Jason]

Live Review: Worried Noodles at the Knitting Factory [12.5.07]

The release party (and benefit for Amnesty International) at the Knitting Factory for wacky Scottish artist David Shrigley’s Worried Noodles compilation was appropriately befitting of the artist's uncanny sensibilities. The night was one of several shows put on around the world to fete Shrigley’s collection of song lyrics interpreted and recorded by some of the current music scene's most quirky.



The evening started off in the venue’s “Main Space”, with artists performing underneath a screen projecting Shrigley’s drawings and lyrics. Phil Elverum (aka Mount Eerie) and Nick Krgovich took turns playing solo, and then came together to perform “Sentimental Song,” straightforwardly intoning the lyrics “Why is there a picture of a penis on your fridge door? / It makes me feel awkward whenever I'm in you kitchen”. I would have to pinpoint that as the moment when it became quite clear that the ensuing evening would be something of an awkward experience for all of us.



In addition to that uncomfortable penis-fridge door song, Elverum and Krgovich also performed Shrigley-penned lyrics about wearing flip flops to climb a mountain (why not?), and a catchy number about sitting on things: “bean bag/bean bag/ whatcha doing sitting on that bean bag? / tree stump/ tree stump/whatcha doing sitting on that tree stump?”





A stripped down incarnation of Islands (the other members couldn’t be there “because of the snow and the border…’cause we’re from Canada” explained singer Nick Diamonds) performed a strange set during which they covered Tom Petty’s “Don’t Come Around Here No More”, sang two different versions of the Shrigley song “Joy” (“there is joy to be had/when you’re crazy mental mad”) and invited audience members to jump onstage and participate in “Shrigley-oke”; providing backing music as strangers sang the lyrics to songs such as “Elaine is a Danger” and "Bad Egg". After Shrigley-oke disintegrated, we were all ushered one flight down to the Tap Room, where experimental lo-fi crooner R. Stevie Moore performed with a motley band (inexplicably including a gentleman dressed in a biohazard suit), and then the San Francisco-based Tussle treated us to some extended jam outs with traces of dub, funk and free-jazz (though according to the band, they take a “no-genre” approach). Tussle's sound is undoubtedly dynamic, and they are quite competent musicians, but their lengthy set seemed to clear the room quite a bit.




The one man band that is YACHT, (aka Jona Bechtolt) closed out the show. Whereas Islands invited the audience up on to the stage, after pressing play on his backing track, YACHT chose to improvise a stage right there on the floor, singing and sweating to his stellar homemade beats right there among the grinning masses.




At that point in the evening, we’ve heard songs about tree stumps and squirrels, anatomy and insanity, been herded from one floor to another, seen band members dressed as if for Halloween - somehow after all of that, shimmying around a half empty room with a skinny guy popping and locking and belting out geeky falsetto dance jams seems to be the most normal thing that’s happened all night. If anything, this is just standard protocol for anyone who's ever been to a Dan Deacon show.



The folks that had stuck around until nearly midnight when YACHT began performing were truly rewarded for their patience. With moves like early Beck, but seemingly without the irony, YACHT gave us our money’s worth. The singer even opened up a Q and A session to the small crowd, during which one enthusiastic young man asked the singer: “Smooth or chunky peanut butter?” After some thought, YACHT replied, “Chunky.” “YES!” exclaimed the man. I guess YACHT gave the right answer. Whew.

Though I’ve never met David Shrigley, and he was unfortunately not in attendance that night (though I suppose he could have been there in disguise) I have to surmise that the artist who spends his time sketching man-dolphins and the like would have found the unwieldy night most enjoyable. Though I left the Knitting Factory a bit perplexed about what had just gone on, I have a feeling Shrigley would have relished in my discomfort. And then maybe written song lyrics about it.

[Photos by Leia Jospe]

In and Out: Justify my love, Stephen Malkmus.