favorite shows of 2008

Happy new year to everyone! First off, I won't bother naming my favorite releases of the year, as my listening habits deteriorated drastically in the past 12 months. Second, I almost didn't post this list because it was so laughably, pathologically homogenous, but I rejiggered it so that it doesn't read like a bad, unsolicited PR sheet (I hope). Nonetheless, it gave me a great excuse to review the awesome concerts I saw in 2008. I'm looking forward to even more great musical memories in 2009.

1. Jon Brion, Largo, January 12, 2008
Jon's last show at Largo on Fairfax was undeniably affecting and powerful, but this gig wins out for an entirely selfish reason: They played my request for "Band on the Run"--and it was awesome. I'll coast along on that memory for years.

2. British Sea Power, Maxwell's, May 19, 2008
Chaos is de rigueur at a British Sea Power show, but I'm confident we crossed over to pure pandemonium at Maxwell's. And I mean that in the best way possible. I just hope they bring Ursine Major next time--and that there is a next time. Also, if I were ranking albums, Do You Like Rock Music would easily top the list of my favorite records of 2008.

3. The Verve, the Warfield, April 23, 2008
If I weren't so uptight, I might declare a three-way tie for my favorite show of 2008, but dammit, I need my rules. Split decisions aside, I gotta say the Verve concert packed the most powerful wallop of the year, simultaneously delivering the sensitivity and the swagger that their music, at its best, has always embraced.



4. Wilco, Riviera Theatre, February 15-20, 2008
It took me about a month to recover from standing out in the Chicago winter for five days, but it was a small price to pay for the chance to live out my dream scenario of seeing my favorite band playing (almost) every song in its catalog. Consensus says Saturday's show was the best, thanks in part to Andrew Bird's guest spot and the truly spontaneous encore, but in this case, the whole exceeded the sum of its parts.

5. Broken Social Scene, Outside Lands Festival, August 27, 2008
I'm not generally a fan of festivals, but some bands are meant for those expansive, oversize stages, and Broken Social Scene has to be high on that list. At Outside Lands, this Canadian supergroup reminded me that "indie" and "larger than life" don't have to be antonyms. Also, they brought out Scott Kannberg!



See also:
» top albums and gigs of 2007
» top 10 concerts of 2006
» top 5 albums of 2006
» top 10 concerts of 2005

top albums and gigs of 2007

In the clamor of music blogs, online zines, and end-of-year publications, there's absolutely no good reason for me to chime in with my meager list of favorite releases of 2007. But hey, that's what blogs are for. This year, I managed to dig three whole albums (that aren't Wilco's Sky Blue Sky). Here they are:

1. The Broken West, I Can't Go On, I'll Go On
Hey, did you hear that one about that jangly guitar band out of Los Angeles? Yeah, so have I, but this one is actually good.

As a music fan, I'm ridiculously transparent and boring. Jangly guitars, multipart harmonies, and sweet, strong melodies comprise my holy trinity, but few bands pursuing that harmonic convergence make an impression on me. The Broken West manages to hit that magical formula wherein these disparate elements come together to create gorgeous, hook-laden tunes that aren't boring and have me singing to myself for weeks and months afterward. I can't wait to hear more from these guys.

2. St. Vincent, Marry Me
I don't like many female singers, but something about St. Vincent grabbed me the first time I saw her in concert, and I made a point of picking up her album when it came out later that year. The cool stuff she does onstage in her solo incarnation is pretty impressive, but the album's striking production and uncommon arrangements add another dimension to her sound. Also, it doesn't hurt that she brings to mind the magnificent Kate Bush in terms of talent, vision, and sheer ambition (minus the freaky dance moves).

3. Richard Hawley, Lady's Bridge
When Richard Hawley was in the Longpigs, I was into the singer, of all people. Man, how embarrassing--and what a cliche! I've been trying to think of another example of a favorite band splitting up, leading to the revelation that the singer was a bit of a sham and that an entirely unexpected band member was the unheralded talent held back by the group's limited scope, but the only example I can think of is Duran Duran and Power Station. So nix that.

I've been meaning to dig up Richard's single contribution to the Longpigs oeuvre, just to prove that I had every reason to be surprised that he'd turn out to be such an amazing solo artist. Ultimately, though, the only thing that matters is the music itself, and you can hear it in every gorgeous, atmospheric detail of Lady's Bridge.

=============================
Gigs, however, are more my milieu, and I indulged in them shamelessly in 2007. Whittling down that list to 10 concerts wasn't easy, but it was sure fun piling up the shows in the first place. Per usual, I have to exempt this year's private show with Jeff Tweedy, as well as Jon Brion's last shows of the year. Regardless, plenty of pickings remain:

1. Jeff Tweedy, Liberty Hall, January 21, 2007: I'm unlikely to forget any aspect of this concert and road trip soon: Ciudad Juarez, the West Texas landscape, the Prada storefront, and the dark, rabbit-infested interstate roads, to name just a few. Then there was Marfa itself, especially the Hotel Paisano, the community party we missed, and our keys taped to the door. It's just too bad we didn't see the Marfa lights! The show had a lot to live up to, and it delivered. Of course, it wouldn't have been a fraction as fun without the company. Let's do it again, friends!
2. Jon Brion, the Hideout, March 11, 2007: Largo is a magical place that nurtures all sorts of musical dreams, and I always look forward to seeing Jon Brion play there. But I gotta say that another side of Jon comes out when he plays in different cities. Often, he's set to impress, which is what he did to jaw-dropping effect at the Hideout. What I liked best about this gig is that it was pure Jon, with no friends or other guests dropping in, but plenty of charisma and inspiration to go around.
3. Jarvis Cocker, the Fillmore, April 28, 2007: Posterity is not usually one of my concerns when I listen to music, but it's nice to see some old favorites reemerge and prove that they're still as great as you remember. The cult of Cocker lives!
4. Daft Punk, Greek Theater, July 27, 2007: It's official--I've become that insufferable prat usually overheard saying, "I saw [insert name of band] in [insert year, preferably from before the turn of the century] at [insert name of club, and all the better if it's now closed, especially under unsavory circumstances]." Yawn. But thank god for great bands who continue to excite and inspire years on, especially through the use of huge, pulsating pyramids! Why didn't anyone think of that during the rave years?!
5. Elvis Costello and Clover, Great American Music Hall, November 8, 2007: An awesome album performed in its entirety, my favorite club in San Francisco, a great cause, and oh yeah, none other than Elvis Costello himself made for an amazing night.
6. Wilco, Kesselhaus, May 24, 2007: Singling out just one gig among all the Wilco shows I saw this year isn't easy (cry me a river), but this is the one my brain goes back to again and again. Not only was it the farthest I've traveled to see Wilco, it was my first time in Berlin, which I now urge everyone to visit. What an amazing city!
7. Jon Brion, Largo, June 8, 2007: To be fair to all the other concerts I saw this year, I have to limit myself to one Largo show, but in my heart of hearts, Largo could easily claim another five spots on this list. This particular gig rose to the top for a lot of reasons, but let's just say David Rawlings and his gorgeous suit helped seal the deal.
8. Richard Hawley, Cafe du Nord, December 12, 2007: Shows later in the year don't tend to make it on my list, but this concert has been haunting me for the last few weeks. I was skeptical of all the praise and adulation before the gig, but I soon became a believer afterward.
9. Badly Drawn Boy, the Metro, March 10, 2007: It was great to see Damon Gough back at his best: still cocky, but also joyful. I shouldn't have been surprised that the Chicago crowd would bring it out in him. Then I got to see him a month later at Largo!
10. The National/The Broken West, Bimbo's 365 Club, June 27, 2007: This was a great year for the National, and I'm just glad I got to see them in a reasonable venue. I suspect a lot of people feel the same way about Wilco that I feel about the National; that is, they pick up on the band's integrity and dedication, even if the music isn't entirely their thing. Still, it was exciting to witness that collective adulation, albeit a step or two removed.

See also:
» top 10 concerts of 2006
» top 5 albums of 2006
» top 10 concerts of 2005

top 10 concerts of 2006

If my calculations are correct, I saw exactly 70 shows in 2006. Here, then, are my favorite gigs of the last year.

1. Gillian, David, Sean, Sara, Jon, and Greg, Largo, October 13, 2006: One tiny stage, seven musical luminaries, three-plus hours of music, a brilliant setlist--what's not to love? Sweet dreams are made of this.

2. Scritti Politti, Slim's, November 2, 2006: In the weeks following this show, I exhaustively Googled all matters Scritti Politti (fun fact: Elvis Costello, Sasha Frere-Jones, and the New York Times share my Green Gartside fixation), watched a lot of old videos, put the albums on permanent repeat, and started assembling this list. That is, I obsessed. Surprise surprise.

I've concocted a thousand rationalizations for why I've gone so gaga: nostalgia, (arguably) latent Anglophilia, the rarity of the event, Green Gartside's entirely swoon-inducing presence. But the truth of the matter is the music stayed with me for weeks afterward.

3. Jon Brion, Largo, July 13, 2006: Early 2006 looked to break my previous record for Largo shows attended--then Jon Brion was hit with tendinitis. This was his first full-fledged show at the club in three months' time, and he returned in grand style. And I shattered my Largo attendance numbers, all the same.

4. Elvis Costello, Speedway Meadows, October 6, 2006: Life doesn't get much better than a free Elvis Costello show in your backyard--unless, of course, Elvis plays a beautifully varied list of new songs, old favorites, and relative rarities, then invites a few famous friends to join him onstage. I love this town.

5. Wilco, 9:30 Club, October 19, 2006: I didn't clock my usual number of Wilco shows in 2006, so that makes my decision a little easier. I suspect, however, that even if you doubled my year-end tally, the 9:30 Club would've come out on top.

6. Jeff Tweedy, Henry Fonda Theater, February 12 and 13, 2006: The aforementioned Wilco absence was ameliorated in part by a wealth of Jeff Tweedy gigs, including a six-show run in California alone. These shows justified my claim that not all L.A. audiences suck. At times, it felt like the whole audience was holding its collective breath while Jeff sang.

7. World Party, Great American Music Hall, August 12, 2006: I just noticed this is the second show on my list by a brilliant, reclusive Welsh singer/songwriter with a DIY attitude and a philosophical bent who finally emerged after a long hiatus to sweep through the States and delight longtime fans (whew). How come I never noticed this trend before? And where would I be without them? This show would've clinched a spot on the list purely on the strength of the singalongs, but it turned into a great reminder of Karl Wallinger's awesome talent.

8. Aimee Mann, Largo, April 19, 2006: Believe it or not, I don't go head over heels for every act I see at Largo, which is why it's in the mix with all other venues (for now). But I have a serious bias toward the club, reinforced by gigs such as this one. As much as I love Aimee Mann, I've never been particularly evangelical about her, partly because her live shows haven't measured up to the albums. But this time, I got to see her in a rarified and revealing light, and I'm pretty sure I'm now hooked forever.

9. eels, the Fillmore, May 31, 2006: The eels confirmed their track record for inspired novelty at this goofy, spirited show. Krazy Al for president!

10. Nels Cline, Largo, June 3, 2006: This show wins for the most surprising gig of the year. We got Nels Cline singing a bunch of covers, dedicating a whole set to obscure Neil Young songs, and coaxing Jon Brion out of his tendinitis-plagued hiding.

Honorable mentions
♥ Jeff Tweedy, Hotel S'n'S, April 8, 2006: It's impossible to think of this show as anything approaching a "normal" gig. It's a treat, a celebration, and a lot of fine music, but the people with whom I get to share the event keep me coming back.
♥ Jon Brion, Largo, December 22, 2006: I had total lister's remorse last year when I realized that I was premature in assembling my annual concert roundup. If I had had the patience to let Jon Brion's last show of 2005 marinate in my brain, it would've found a slot somewhere near the top. So I'm hedging my bets this year and making it an honorable mention instead.
♥ Neil Finn, Largo, December 6, 2006: It's going to be a while before I digest all the events of this day. For now, mentioning it here helps a little.

See also:
» top 10 concerts of 2005
» top 5 albums of 2006

top 5 albums of 2006

I'm not actually a huge album fan. I mean, I buy lots of them, and lord knows I've worn out more than a few favorites. Usually, though, they can't compare to the live performance, and I have to admit, I'm guilty of that cliche: I like the early albums, but the later stuff doesn't usually measure up (ha).

But there were five albums released this year that knocked my socks off and that I feel comfortable pimping. Even stranger, they came out of nowhere; you won't find any of my usual favorites on this list, despite some big-name releases (Flaming Lips, Loose Fur, Decemberists, Golden Smog, Aimee Mann). Otherwise, I can't give you much insight into them, but I offer my endorsement, for what it's worth.

Without further ado:

1. Brakes, The Beatific Visions
Brakes' first album Give Blood didn't do much for me, despite my amour fou for British Sea Power. In fact, it was probably my BSP appreciation that convinced me to give Brakes another try. Good thing 'cos I would've missed out big time. The Beatific Visions even inspired me to go back to Give Blood, and wouldn't you know it? I can't get enough of that first one now either. The unhinged, scattershot, drug-addled quality that initially turned me off now sounds brilliantly manic and clever. Or maybe I finally got the jokes. (How did I miss the 10-second screed "Cheney" with exactly one lyric: "Don't be such a dick!"?)

I'm sad that British Sea Power will now need a new nutter percussionist/keyboard guy, but when the resulting band is this good, it's no loss at all. Now if only they would tour over here...

2. Midlake, The Trials of Van Occupanther
My most reliable method for discovering new music is to see who's opening for bands I love. There are no guarantees, of course, but sometimes you get lucky.

I don't know if the Flaming Lips handpicked Midlake to open or if I have the Noise Pop booking team to thank (though the two bands ended up touring Europe together for a stretch). Regardless, I loved Midlake's sound, as well as their videos and their aesthetic. I mean, they had these artsy black-and-white films filled with both Civil War-looking figures (though not in a joking Decemberists way) along with Orwellian characters. And in the purely idiosyncratic file, I like that six people comprise the band and that two members remind me of people I know. Whew!

When their album was finally released many months later, I was surprised by how their sound translated to the studio. Mostly, I didn't expect the resemblance to Rumours-era Fleetwood Mac (the Lindsey Buckingham titles, anyway) on the opening volley of tracks. As you wend your way through the album, you pick up other influences too, but it's hard to shake that initial impression.

3. Scritti Politti, White Bread Black Beer
I don't blame anyone for thinking they know what Scritti Politti sounds like based on their '80s output, but this is a case where no good will come of your preconceptions. Apart from Green's distinctive voice (admittedly, an acquired taste), the album sounds unlike anything Scritti Politti has recorded before. If you had previously thought of Scritti Politti as a dance pop machine, you'll be surprised to discover Green's emergence as a singer/songwriter only slightly removed from the folksy types I gravitate toward these days.

If you didn't grow up with British music in the '80s, I can't come right out and tell you to buy this record. And even if you did grow up in the Reagan years, Green Gartside's long-awaited return might not be reason enough to pick up this disc. But if you're at all intrigued by the critical adulation and/or my less than rigorous reasoning, I hope you'll give it a try.

4. Robyn Hitchcock and the Venus 3, Olé Tarantula
There are no new faces in this grouping, and in fact, I saw the main players under another guise earlier this year.

But what I thought I knew about the band didn't prepare me for this record's pure pop love. The bubbly, catchy tunes surpassed anything I've heard from Robyn, Scott, Peter, Bill, and any combination thereof in the past several years. The opening track, "Adventure Rocket Ship" is completely irresistible and makes me want to pogo like a maniac. No Robyn Hitchcock record would be complete without references to insects and other less than savory creatures, but I hardly mind when they're bathed in such endless harmonies. Bottom line: This is a fun record. Isn't that reason enough?

5. Flight of the Conchords, The Complete First Radio 2 Series
It feels a little like cheating to include this album, but Flight of the Conchords is a band, I swear!

So yeah, it's a comedy album, but it has a number of their original tunes, including many of the hits (?) performed on their HBO special. Even better, Neil Finn and Greg Proops turn in brilliant cameos. But really, it comes down to Bret and Jemaine and their charming demeanors, wordplay, and songcraft. I can't wait for the Conchords' American invasion.

See also:
» from the books you don't read anyway
» in fact, you're fanatical
» there's nothing I wouldn't do, including doing nothing
» you won't have an atom left
» Hiphopotamus Meets Rhymenocerous
» top 10 concerts of 2006

top 10 concerts of 2005

Happy New Year, everyone! Hope you all had a lovely evening and are ready for 2006. :)

Nothing marks an arbitrary date like a list, so here are my favorite gigs of the past year. I saw a total of 66 gigs last year. Granted, the vast majority--even moreso than in previous years--was by Wilco, Jon Brion, and/or those affiliated with Wilco and/or Jon Brion. A list of top 10 Largo moments of 2005 might be more appropriate, but I like to believe that my interests are a little more diverse. Also, for whatever reason, a lot of my old favorites didn't deliver the same punch as they had in the past, and I either missed or was underwhelmed by a lot of up-and-comers. Oh well, I'll try not to ramble too much. Here we go:

1. Jeff Tweedy, Sooz's basement, 1/29/05: Perhaps the best weekend of my life yet.
2. Arcade Fire, Austin City Limits Festival, 9/25/05: I can't believe that the biggest Arcade Fire show was my favorite, but it was truly a transcendant occasion.
3. Jon Brion & Kanye West, Largo, 3/18/05: It's tough to pick just one Jon Brion show, but I have to go with the gig where we first got an inkling of their collaboration.
4. Wilco, Stubb's BBQ, 9/24/05: I wish the band and the crowd could be this engaged for every show I attend.
5. Jon Brion, Largo, 12/9/05: This show had its glorious peaks and unsettling valleys, and I'm unlikely to forget it soon.
6. Wilco, Elysee Montmartre, 3/16/05: My rock tourism goes international and/or psychotic (take your pick)! If you need an excuse to get yourself to Paris, you could do worse than going when your favorite band plays a small venue in the City of Lights.
7. Olivia Tremor Control, Great American Music Hall, 9/8/05: Rock reunions are pretty much a given from here on out, but this was easily my favorite of the recent batch. Keep Athens weird!
8. Wrens, Bottom of the Hill, 12/1/05: They served up a vivid reminder of what separates them from the pack: passion, unpretentiousness, and great tunes.
9. Colin Meloy, Cafe du Nord, 1/16/05: I wouldn't say that the Colin Meloy solo experience is as eye-opening as, say, a Jeff Tweedy show, but I loved seeing him shorn of the affectation that can sometimes overpower the Decemberists. And he has great taste in Morrissey songs.
10. Teenage Fanclub, Bimbo's 365 Club, 8/5/05: Though their latest album didn't knock my socks off, my old stalwarts always put on a wonderful show. They have my undying allegiance.

Here's some cool stuff coming to the Bay Area in the next few months:
» Mark Kozelek: January 18, Great American Music Hall
» Colin Meloy: January 20, Great American Music Hall
» Nels Cline and Friends: January 30, Yoshi's
» Jeff Tweedy: February 8 and 9, the Fillmore
» Bob Mould: February 11, Slim's
» Supergrass: February 23, Great American Music Hall
» Cat Power: February 23 and 24, the Palace of Fine Arts
» The Wedding Present: February 24, Slim's
» Bob Pollard: February 25, the Independent
» Robyn Hitchcock/Minus 5: February 27, Slim's
» Matt Pond PA: March 5, Slim's

See also:
» top 5 Largo memories