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Coachella: Mumford and Sons and Ratatat – Dave Matthews Band Caravan Chicago

18 Apr

Coachella and Mumford and SonsMumford and Sons’ Saturday set at the three-day Coachella festival that wrapped up yesterday night portrayed why they are considered one of the best new folk/indie groups to hit the scene. Well, new may be pushing it. They have been around since 2007, but have only released one album. An epic album, in every sense of its nature, but only one. I will still consider them a burgeoning talent.

I caught the encore of Mumford and Sons’ 8:30 p.m. set last night on Coachella’s live feed on Youtube. By the way, that is an awesome idea. It’s difficult to get out to festivals (especially if they are across the country), so a live Youtube feed (that doesn’t lag) is much appreciated.

The set was wonderful. Mumford and Sons’ live prowess is clear. They truck through songs with beautiful folk ease. A solid brass section was a welcome addition to the band’s already tight-knit sound. During the set, Mumford and Sons’ revealed a new song, “Lover’s Eyes,” that provides evidence of the direction the band is going in. Good news for those who enjoyed Sigh No More.

“Lover’s Eyes” is led by Marcus Mumford‘s excellent voice. The acoustic riff sounds a little like “War Was in Color” by Carbon Leaf (especially the ending hammer-on). The song follows a trademark Mumford and Sons’ pattern. That is the gradual crescendo. The soft beginning turns into a strong, hard-strummed ending with brass and harmonized “la’s.” I can see it being a mid-level hit off of the eventual new album.

Clearly, though, the best song from their set was “Little Lion Man,” which shatters folk boundaries with its greatness.

Notice at 1:10-1:15 into the song Mumford breaks a string on his acoustic. He strums his guitar incredibly hard so it is not surprising. He doesn’t stop the show or make a fuss. He plays like nothing happened. That is professional and a wonderful live characteristic. This band may be young, but they play like live veterans. Excellent show!

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Ratatat My Coachella Surprise

Let me premise this section. Okocim often talks of Ratatat. He has even shown me their music. They were not my favorite. I sort-of scoffed at his recommendation. Well, absolutely no more. A good live performance can change your opinion of any band. Ratatat’s live set on Sunday night was both musically composed and crazy. The band taps into the rich psychedelic past and pulls out elements that they include in their own music…and it is awesome.

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Dave Matthews Band’s Caravan Tour Heating Up

While we are on the subject of music festivals, I want to highlight the next venue on the Dave Matthews Band Caravan Tour. The first venue announced was Atlantic City, and the heralded list of musicians is tempting me to buy a three-day pass. The second, Chicago, will take place from July 8-10. While I live farther away from Chicago than Atlantic City (it is like an 11 hour difference), the Chicago line-up excites me more. Atlantic City does have Guster, but, as much as they are awesome, I have seen them twice. Let’s peek into the Chicago line-up.

David Gray

Ray LaMontagne

O.A.R.

Kid Cudi.

The Flaming Lips (performing Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon)

Amos Lee

Michael Franti and Spearhead

Alberta Cross

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

Emmylou Harris

Ben Folds

G Love and Special Sauce

Gomez

Soulive

The Wailers

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings

Also, some artists from Summer Camp 2011 Music Festival will be featured on a special stage on Saturday. That festival (May 27-29 in Illinois) features acts like Widespread Panic, moe, Umphrey’s Mcgee, The Avett Brothers, Girl Talk, Wiz Khalifa, Bela Fleck and The Flecktones, Punch Brothers, and Lubriphonic (who I profiled over a year ago here).

I bolded the two reasons I want to go to the Chicago show more than Atlantic City. The Ben Folds case is interesting. I have promised my girlfriend, Rebecca, that I will take her to see Ben Folds. I want to see him too, so it is a win-win. But she will be on vacation during the Chicago show, and, if I go to see Ben Folds without her, I will be killed. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros is fair game and I just really want to see them. Chicago, though, is 13 hours away and it might be a little impractical to think I will be able to get out to the show.

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No “King of Limbs” Sequel – Rolling Stone Top Lead Singers

14 Apr

King of Limbs Sequel Denied

Despite the optimistic thoughts of Radiohead fans, guitarist Ed O’Brien crushed the rumors that there will be a sequel to Radiohead’s recent release King of Limbs.

“There are [other] songs that we have started, that we never finished, but there’s not like seven or eight finished songs waiting in the wings to be released now, or in the autumn, or something,” O’Brien said in an interview with BBC. “When we start a new record, we tend to start afresh. It’s kind of an evolutionary thing– only the fittest survive.”

I had a hunch that there would be a second release, so I am surprised by the news. It seemed all-to-perfect. Perhaps that is why there will be no sequel. It would’ve been too predicted by fans. Radiohead prefers to work in spontaneity and secrecy.

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Rolling Stone Readers Prefer Plant

In the world of lead singers, few command the stage with an excellent voice and flavor. Rolling Stone asked readers to vote on the top lead singer ever, and readers responded by picking Robert Plant. Robert Plant is the wrong choice. He is a product of misguided voting. I wouldn’t even put Plant in my top 10. I find his voice to be arrogant. By arrogant, I mean that his screech is annoying and disingenuous and his sneer is self-indulgent. His voice is not authentic and, therefore, should not be on the list. But, he is voted among the top vote getters in every poll and this is because of the success of Led Zeppelin, who are also horribly overrated.

So, who is the greatest lead singer of all time? Do you ever have to ask? Just, listen.

Freddie Mercury possessed the perfect rock voice. His voice maintains perfect timber while traveling into different realms of passion. His voice leads a song better than any lead singer was ever able to do. On the list, he is #2, and while this is a good placement, it is disrespectful for a singer of his quality.


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Classic Guitar Store Riffs – The Kinks to Reunite? – Dowd vs. Dylan

11 Apr

So is it functional?

I remember going to Guitar Center in 10th grade to pick out my first acoustic guitar. I ended up with a starter set, but that is besides the point. When I was walking around the store, a customer was testing out a Gibson on a bench next to an amplifier. He was trucking through some noticeable riffs and performing them with technical proficiency. I feel like every aspiring guitarist has had this moment in their playing career. Someone at the music store serenading shoppers with their version of “Stairway to Heaven.” Well, for those who have mastered some of these famous riffs, a guitar store is a good place to go if you want to attract attention. It’s easy to plug in an expensive guitar and play. But, before you drive over to a music store, take a look at this list of top ten riffs to play with your borrowed gear.

http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/top-ten-riffs-0404-2011/

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Ray Davis Wants a Kinks Reunion

The Kinks potential reunion tour has been derailed twice over the past ten years. First, Peter Quaife developed kidney problems in 2000, and then talks of only three members playing shows were thrown off with Dave Davies‘ stroke in 2004. Quaife unfortunately passed away in 2010 and the band immediately went down to three. According to a Rolling Stone interview with Ray Davies, Ray is meeting with his brother Dave (now fully recovered). A potential reunion tour can be on the horizon, and, because of what seems to happen when reunion tours are discussed, it may be best for the band to immediately play some shows. I know fans would be on board for that.

Link: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ray-davies-wants-the-kinks-to-reform-20110411

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Dylan’s China Concerts – Selling out?

Maureen Dowd is a great columnist for the New York Times. Her commentaries are thought-provoking and refreshing, and many rebuke her points of attack with intensity. On April 9, she posted a scathing column entitled “Blowin’ in the Idiot Wind,” where she calls Bob Dylan an ultimate sell out for allowing the Chinese Ministry to disallow him from performing his famous protest songs. Dowd reminds readers that Dylan did walk out on The Ed Sullivan Show when he was told he could not play “Talkin’ John Birch Paranoid Blues.” He was 22 years old back then. He is now 69.

I don’t know what to make of Dowd’s comments. She, in a sense, is completely correct. Dylan, who firmly warned against government oppression in his lyric, gave into China, the quintessential quiet oppressive government. You are told to practice what you preach, and Dylan did not follow this sentiment. Dylan was a protester. Dylan fought. But, that was over 40 years ago. Age is no excuse of selling out. I am not attempting to defend Dylan in my comments. Perhaps his reasoning for the China concert was pure selfishness. He is a consummate performer and maybe he just wanted to finally take his talents to China for a show, despite their restrictions. I am not sure. I do agree that he did sell out. I am just not sure to what extent.

Check out Dowd’s column: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/10/opinion/10dowd.html?_r=2

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New Mountain Goats Drops Tomorrow – Radiohead Selling CD’s – Final Four Update

28 Mar

All Eternal’s Deck Released Tomorrow

The new Mountain Goat’s album drops tomorrow, and I will most certainly be picking it up prior to seeing them this Saturday in Ithaca. Yes, call me a traditionalist, but with artists like The Mountain Goats, I like to listen to the album in full by way of hard copy. It’s just one of my many archaic idiosyncrasies. But, that does not mean reviews have not been written of the album yet (by way of advanced copy or NPR first listen – which was published in late February).

The reviews are positive. Like expected, Darnielle excellent bare singer/songwriter style is bathed lightly with some new studio effects (a trend that has been duplicated on recent albums). The lyrics are hard hitting, though, and while there is no over-arching theme linking songs, each does have a wondrous effect (the Mountain Goat’s effect). I suggest you go out and purchase this album, but if you want some proof, here is two reviews (one written and one YouTubed).

AP Review – http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110328/ap_en_mu/us_music_review_the_mountain_goats

YouTube-

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Radiohead Selling Well
King of Limbs was released digitally back in February. The ending track, “Separator” has spawned some thought that the digital album was only part of a larger release that would be sent out with their “magazine” release of the album in May.

Read about that here: https://musiccourt.wordpress.com/2011/02/22/radiohead-ahead-of-the-music-business/

The tangible album is being shipped out today and the band created such a draw with their rapid digital release, that the physical copy was #2 on the Amazon pre-sale list. And so continues the genius of Thom Yorke. Do you want to sell an album? Hire him to do your marketing.

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UPDATE ON 1967 March Madness Tournament

The men’s college basketball March Madness tournament has reached its Final Four and it is jam-packed with Cinderellas. The Music Court’s 1967 Album March Madness tournament – which is looking for votes on the best album released in 1967 – may go pretty chalk. Here is an update and where you can vote. Remember voting ends this Friday

 

The #3 seed: Are You Experienced by The Jimi Hendrix Experience is currently beating the #6 seed: Strange Days by The Doors 5-1.

The #2 seed: The Doors by The Doors is currently avenging its sister’s demise by beating up on the #10 seed: Surrealistic Pillow by Jefferson Airplane 6-1.

Vote on these two matches here: https://musiccourt.wordpress.com/2011/03/24/the-elite-1967-album-eight-second-half/

 

The #1 seed: Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles is not surprisingly beating the #9 seed John Wesley Harding by Bob Dylan 8-2

In the closest match-up (and potential upset) the #4 seed: Magical Mystery Tour by The Beatles  is losing to the #5 seed: Disraeli Gears by The Cream 6-4

Vote on these two matches here: https://musiccourt.wordpress.com/2011/03/20/the-elite-1967-album-eight-voting-begins/

 

Let your voices be heard. Don’t let your favorite album lose!

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St. Patrick’s Day – Updates on 1967 Album March Madness

17 Mar

 

The Definition of Irony

John Lennon once wrote, “If you had the luck of the Irish, You’d be sorry and wish you were dead.” Hence, the definition of irony above. St. Patrick’s Day has become a celebration of Irish culture in general and the holiday’s trademark is leprechauns and clovers. Clovers that definitely do not provide luck. But, let’s celebrate the triumphant Irish who have overcome much adversity to drink copious amounts of alcohol on this day. And, while we are toastin’ and drinkin’ why not listen to some quality celtic rock created by one of my favorite celtic rock band’s Great Big Sea.

Let me answer two of your questions. Yes, I enjoy celtic rock and Irish traditional music. Secondly, yes, Great Big Sea is from Canada, but they are from Newfoundland which has much Irish roots. Their sea shanties are perfect for a holiday like this. So, raise your pint and listen to this:

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Thank you gigantic update post-it. It is time for the 1967 March Madness Album Update. Thank you to everyone who is voted thus far. A few first round races are close. If you have not voted, follow the links below and get to clicking for your favorites.

#1 seed: Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles is destroying #16 seed: Absolutely Free by The Mothers of Invention 9-0

No surprise there.

#2 seed: The Doors by the Doors are beating Days of Future Passed by The Moody Blues 8-2

#3 seed: Are You Experienced by The Jimi Hendrix Experience are also winning 8-2 over Procol Harum

One potential upset is the close battle between Magical Mystery Tour and Velvet Underground and Nico. MMT is beating the proto-punk band’s debut album 6-5

Over on the mid-range battles only one battle is close and that is between Strange Days and the Left Banke’s debut. Strange days is winning by one vote.

GET THE VOTE OUT

1 vs. 16 – https://musiccourt.wordpress.com/2011/03/12/march-madness-music-16-1-best-album-of-1967/

2 vs. 15, 3 vs. 14, 4 vs. 13 – https://musiccourt.wordpress.com/2011/03/13/march-1967-madness-continues-2-vs-15-3-vs-14-4-vs-13/

5 vs. 12, 6 vs. 11, 7 vs. 10, 8 vs. 9 – https://musiccourt.wordpress.com/2011/03/16/march-madness-best-album-of-1967-first-round-5-vs-12-6-vs-11-7-vs-10-8-vs-9/

 

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