Back there when I was in seminary school, there was a person there who put forth the proposition that you can petition the lord with prayer...sorry Jim. I just meant that many moons to the south I was a twenty something music junkie and I was listening to XTC early and often. The first time I heard Making Plans For Nigel I was hooked no questions asked. Then came Senses Working Overtime. Life Begins at The Hop. Generals and Majors. Sgt Rock (is Going To Help Me). Not in any particular order mind you; I was just soaking them in [...]
It's a beautiful crisp autumn day here in New England. I live for this! Let's post two! Thanks Ernie (Banks). First I should just mention that no matter how many times I hear the first chord of Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart I get chills. Write it down. Chills. (S)He's Lost Control Again. I just saw, finally, the movie 24 Hour Party People. For the uninitiated, this film centers around the story of Factory Records, home to Joy Division, New Order, The Durutti Column, A Certain Ratio, and The Happy Mondays. The unfortunate story of Ian Curtis (played [...]
As someone who absolutely lived, musically speaking, the 70's, 80's, 90's and the present decade, it amazes me how some records remain a mainstay in your mind. It doesn't matter that I personally bought 158 other CDs in 1990 (according to my cataloguing software) and that many of them history will show were superior to this release. It doesn't matter that this record is more known for a song called "There She Goes" which, if the rumors are to be believed, is a reference to heroin coursing through the veins of the protagonist. It also doesn't matter to me that [...]
My name is John Jay and I was recently invited to blog on The Giant Panther and I'm genuinely excited about the opportunity. In the past The Panther has catered to the Indie scene and new music in general. It will continue to do so. If everything goes well my contribution will be a bit of wild card swooping in from time to time potentially turning on or reminding some folks of some recordings from the past. I'll be something like an unestablished columnist with a by-line I don't really deserve. I'm going to try and have fun with it [...]
Medeski Martin & Wood, my favorite whacked out funk/jazz band have a new album coming out on Sept 30. Check out the first single here, click the link below to pre-order. Tour dates below, nothing in the Boston area for now. Check back for full album review. MP3: MMW - Free Go Lilly Pre Order on Amazon 09.16.08 - Teatro Oriente - Santiago De Chile 09.18.08 - Bourbon St. - Sao Paulo 09.19.08 - Canecao - Rio [...]
In case you haven't noticed, it's rare that I review an album these days, unfortunately I don't have as much time as I used to. Having said that, when I do muster of the time and energy to do a post, it must be something worth writing about! The Panther's inbox is flooded with a lot of talented up and coming musicians, but this one in particular caught my ear. Chris Flew is a musician, songwriter and amateur film maker currently based in Glasgow, Scotland. He's opened for the likes of The National, Frightened Rabbit, [...]
Tim and Eric Awesome Show Great Job!
This may sound over the top, but the new Sigur Ros album is quite possibly the greatest thing I've heard in 10 years. After streaming the album non stop last week, I'm now hearing for the first time in full def (don't give me the mp3 lossy speech). If you have a pulse this album will strike you on some level. Grab the DRM Free 320 kbps at the link below today, if it's the only thing you buy all year. Purchase the album today
Just finished my first listen through Seattle band Fleet Foxes self titled album. I've been anxiously awaiting this release after hearing their amazing Sun Giant EP. If you like lush layered harmonies that hearken back to simpler times I think you will enjoy. I'm starting a much despised review style among bloggers - comparisons to other artists. I know it's often insulting to bands to be compared to someone else, but c'mon, we could all use a little guidance on whether we might like a band or not when deciding whether to give them [...]
This is one of the best songs I've ever heard. Not very profound "music reviewery", but skip the reading and get to the song. Then pick up everything Annuals you can get your hands on. This one comes from their Wet Zoo EP. MP3: Annuals - Sore Annuals Tour Dates: ANNUALS TOUR DATES June 4 - Phoenix, AZ at Modified June 5 - San Diego, CA at Beauty Bar June 6 - Los Angeles, CA at the [...]
Just got my first listen to Fleet Foxes new EP Sun Giant. I forget where I first came across Fleet Foxes, but I remember making a mental note to try and keep track of these guys. Hailing out of Seattle on Sub Pop, Fleet Foxes have a sound that at first listen bring many comparisons to mind. But upon deeper listen, layers unfold (even though at times instrumentation is sparse) that set them apart from others I've come to know and love. Vocals are covered in thick reverb as lead singer Robin Pecknold belts out [...]
Driving up to Vermont for a ski trip this past weekend, I came across an album that completely flew under my radar in 2007, and should have had its spot in my un-coveted top albums of 2007, nestled appropriately somewhere between the loving arms of The National and Band Of Horses. The album I'm referring to is For Emma, Forever Ago by Bon Iver. I don't know anything about Bon Iver to be honest, and rather than regurgitate Pitchfork's decent write up on the album, I'll just give you the [...]
I somehow came across the new Michael Jackson Thriller 25th anniversary "super deluxe" album, and I just puked in my mouth a little bit. With remixes featuring artists who I'm sure will one day be know as some of music's all time greats like Fergie, WilliAm, Acorn?, and even Kanye taking a turn (sarcasm should be stressed), they have officially murdered one of the greatest albums of all time. Man I really sound like on old, sour bastard right now, heck I have been known to bust out a Bill Cosby dance move or three to all [...]
Hot Chip is set to release their new full length, Made In The Dark next Tuesday, Feb 5. I just finished my third listen through this entire album, and in Giant Panther's humble opinion, it gets two VWF (Video Wrestling Federation) championship belts up! With each Hot Chip release, the UK band gets sharper and sharper. Constantly refining their sound, Made In The Dark is probably the most dance-worthy release to date. Highlights to get busy to are "Ready For The Floor", "Shake A Fist". On "Hold On", they chant "Son, I have a [...]
Oh how I wish I had more time to add links, samples, and meaningless rants: The National - Boxer Band Of Horses - Cease To Begin Arcade Fire - Neon Bible Kings Of Leon - Because Of The Times Radiohead - In Rainbows Rogue Wave - Asleep At Heaven's Gate Iron & Wine - The Shepherd's Dog LCD Soundsystem - Sounds Of Silver Kanye West - Graduation Deer Tick - War Elephant The [...]
I think I'm officially done ever going to the Tweeter Center again. It's a long drive for most in the Boston area, and things have gotten out of hand. I saw at least 3 people being arrested for drinking a beer in the parking lot (granted they were probably under age, but man things have changed since my high school days). Then when you get inside the venue, it's 8 bucks per beer, and they were enforcing a 1 beer per person rule. I bought one for me, and one for a friend back at our [...]
Thanks to Ashley for finding the set times, (and Brad for pointing me to them!) Main Gates 12:00 APOLLO SUNSHINE 1:00-1:35 BANG CAMARO 1:55-2:40 BAND OF HORSES 3:00-3:45 WOLF PARADE 4:05-4:50 NEKO CASE 5:10-5:55 YEAH YEAH YEAH'S 6:15-7:15 GUSTER 7:45-8:45 MODEST MOUSE 9:15-10:45 Curfew 11:00
I'm back in action. You're probably asking yourself, why did the Giant Panther do a best of 2006 album review and stop at #16? I wish I had a better answer for you, but the bitter truth is I actually started having work to do at work, unfortunate. But in case you were curious, here are the rest, I found them scribbled down in an old notebook. Looking back, it's amazing how much my tastes have changed already, or maybe I just played the albums too much, but here they are anyway: 15: [...]
I found this today thanks to IGIF , will keep track of any upcoming shows in your area. Scans your itunes library, and then goes into a concert database to update a calendar within itunes. Check it out.
The Giant Panther
Azealia Banks - '1991' [Listen]
Has Ween Broken Up? Aaron Freeman Retires Gene Ween
Metric Debuts Album via Synthetica Hide+Seek, Tickets On Sale Now For Fall Tour
