A change of pace. What does that really mean? A transitional period? Re-exploration? Achieving new goals? Possibly. Sometimes we're so numb from what we're used to we aim to expand what we know. Our minds are set to want more, whether we deem our lives a success or otherwise. As we age, we look for new forms of play , the ability to set ourselves free from normal constraints and use our imaginations. Creativity, inventiveness, inspiration - we contemplate how we can push ourselves to be different within the realm of how we already act. How do [...]
![[MP3] matt pond PA: "Starting"](http://cache.elbo.ws/posts/2253154_lg.jpg)
Guess what? matt pond PA released their song "Starting", which can also be found as a 7-inch at the matt pond PA store , for free download. I've said a lot about Pond before, as well as a "Notable Album Release" for The Dark Leaves (note the slight title change), which comes out next month, so you don't really need to hear much more gushing. This song is Matt Pond and crew at their finest, with a lush, organic sound and deluge of vocal harmonies. The [...]
The name Laura Veirs conjures up unrivaled, enchanting imagery and an inexpressible feeling of being under an entrancing spell. Yes it's abstract; but suitable to the music she makes. Wistful, longing searches through waves of hope and desire, attempts to create lasting relationships, all in the setting of the different worlds Veirs manages to portray in her albums. Seeing her songs, I imagine rays of light seeping through the tiniest of pores in a foggy haze, as almost eerily calming landscapes dominate the background. She is one with nature, and we can hear as much through the sound [...]
![[MP3] Beck: "Harry Partch"](http://cache.elbo.ws/posts/2137900_lg.jpg)
You like feuds, right? Because this new Beck song is the baby of the feud of the year and it's pretty messy. The story goes like this: Radiohead wrote a song back in August about Harry Patch, the UK's oldest surviving WWI veteran (aww!). Well The Fiery Furnaces' Matthew Friedberger heard this and mistook it to be a song about apparently trendy 20th century composer Harry Partch . Because this upset him so, Friedberger lambasted Radiohead for being obnoxious and writing about trendy things. When he realized his mistake, he released a statement that read: "Matt would [...]
I'm amazed at how quickly Animal Collective have become a major influence. It usually takes bands a generation before they're cited or imitated, but it seems I'm writing about the latest Animal Collective-inspired band every other month or so ( Atlas Sound , Toro Y Moi , Bagheera , Akudama ). And Brooklyn-based Yeasayer are another one that wear their experimental, groove-laden AC influences proudly. But the spunky, highly accessible "Ambling Alp," from the upcoming album Odd Blood , is a real step forward for Yeasayer (coming on the heals [...]
Unfortunately, something was screwy with the stream ripper at the radio station and today's show wasn't properly archived in mp3 format. So you cannot listen to it. Fortunately, we had fun, and that's all that really matters right?? Fun Fun Fun. No, we're not at that Austin fest; we can get down ourselves, thank you very much. 01| Goldspot – "Float On" (Modest Mouse cover) [MP3] 02| Frightened Rabbit - "Nothing Like You" 03| Grizzly Bear - "Ready, Able" [MP3] 04| Akudama - "Thumbelina" 05| Stricken City - "Small Things" [...]
Unfortunately, something was screwy with the stream ripper at the radio station and today's show wasn't properly archived in mp3 format. So you cannot listen to it. Fortunately, we had fun, and that's all that really matters right?? Fun Fun Fun. No, we're not at that Austin fest; we can get down ourselves, thank you very much. 01| Goldspot – "Float On" (Modest Mouse cover) [MP3] 02| Frightened Rabbit - "Nothing Like You" 03| Grizzly Bear - "Ready, Able" [MP3] 04| Akudama - "Thumbelina" 05| Stricken City - "Small Things" [...]
Were you consoling Britney Spears after Australians got all mad she lip synchs and puts on a less-than-stellar show ? I know B, life's tough sometimes. Here, dry your eyes with these millions of dollars you still have. Let's talk about life. I know lip synching is your THING (hard to dance with snakes and sing at the same time, ya know?) but Australians have higher standards and you're going to have to live with that. Look, why don't you distract yourself by catching up on what you missed on Knox Road this week. Sunday: [...]
After KR took a month's hiatus from the Akudama boys, they're back again with Thumbelina - their latest, free, monthly EP. The stunning range of styles Akudama manages to incorporate into their music is admirable and unique. "Thumbelina", the title track, is very beach boys-y during the choruses and soft and folksy during the verses. And about three quarters of the way through, the song explodes into a rocking jam. The track is laden with echoing, falsetto harmonies and subdued guitars - slightly different than previous Akudama material. The second [...]
Watching the video by Akudama yesterday I was thinking that there aren't that many bands these days that have a 90s grunge sound. This new song Synasty from the inbox by Dog Day comes pretty close. Nice, dare I say R.E.M./Kate Pierson thing they've got going on here? The Halifax, Nova Scotia quartet's Elder Schoolhouse EP is limited to 400 copies. Pre-order here . Dog Day's full length, Concentration , [...]
++ Shudder . Some things are better left unsaid. ++Sir Richard Branson skydives on to a roof from a helicopter and pops a bottle of champagne before talking about economic challenges . ++ Akudama stop by the Back In Boston Flophouse for a lil conversation and jammie jam . Above, a video [...]
College Football and Fantasy Football prep took over your life this week. It's cool, happens to the best of us. Can't say we're immune either (I got a draft today, we all watched Maryland crush implode against Cal last night.) So, here's what ya missed on Knox Road. [Image via ] Monday: Klezmer on Knox Road?? You betcha. The Alexandria Kleztet does Star Wars. Dirty Projectors announce North American tour. Owen to drop new album, [...]
It's the first of the month and you know what that means! More Akudama! They've dropped yet another free E.P. per their usual monthly standards. This one's titled Lost on the Brian Ferry , and the music fits appropriately. The sound is dreamy, floating into the abyss, never really grounded in any sort of foundation. It's not the typical tight pop/rock we're used to from Akudama. Though we've seen shades of a more experimental and prog-rock side on previous EPs, and Lost on the Brian Ferry just affirms that Akudama can essentially do it all. So [...]
First off: how can you beat free music? The answer is you can't beat free music, at all, ever, under any circumstances. And, hey, what's that? Brooklyn's The Library is giving away its album, The Life and Times of Rosa Lee , for free? Sign me up! Free music is not always quality music, though, and that's why it's such a relief that The Library is so damn good. The band's music is nearly always calm - there's nothing abrasive or atonal to be found here. From the opener "Wish I knew," a smartly constructed [...]
Mew bongos in the darkness @ MHOW ( more by Dominick Mastrangelo ) tonight in NYC * DANCE * Britney Spears @ MSG * Nine Inch Nails, Mew @ Terminal 5 * The Alternate Routes @ Brooklyn Bowl * Marc Ribot's Sun Ship @ Rose Live Music * Cubic Zirconia, Michna, ApSci @ Mercury Lounge * Spindrift, Hopewell, The Runaway Suns @ Union Pool [...]
Recommended Show: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2009 UNIVOX @ DEATH BY AUDIO 49 South 2nd Street Brooklyn, NY 11211 $8, 8PM It's a rather slow night for shows, but fortunately there is always something going on in this city. Death by Audio hosts the 7" release party for Univox tonight, which should be well worth it. In addition, Akudama, Ex-Humans, and White Noise Supremacists also play. Hopewell @ Union Pool Nine Inch Nails & Mew @ Terminal 5 The Alternate Routes @ Brooklyn Bowl
Last Thursday at the Middle East I was treated to a solid indie rock bill with Super Time Pilot , Shoney Lamar & the Equal Rights , Akudama (from Brooklyn), and The Main Drag. Robby Roadsteamer's new project Super Time Pilot started off the show with beautiful vocals and a lot of guitar players: Shoney Lamar & the Equal Rights played an amazing, high-energy [...]
I am very excited for all of the bands on this bill , but I have to give some special attention to my absolute favorite Boston act, Shoney Lamar & the Equal Rights . Before I go into a lengthy paean about how much I love Shoney Lamar, let me first give a disclaimer: Shoney plays guitar in my band, Highly Personal Trash , and is one of my favorite human beings ever. That being said, I have dragged many of my more objective friends out to see his shows and they all walk away [...]
It's fairly easy to spot the Animal Collective influences on Brooklyn band Akudama's music: the Beach Boys-styled funk, the yelps, and even the crazy nicknames (Broccoli Bob, Hanker Chief, Head of Lettuce – maybe a vegetable collective?). But it works, especially on latest single "Sun (From Underneath the Lake)," taken from their free-to-download Sun EP (part of the band's monthly EP series), a great example of Akudama's tight propulsive sound and strong songwriting chops. They also name-dropped Tears For Fears in their email to me, and you can detect a bit of Roland [...]
Super Time Pilot is the new project from Robby Roadsteamer and Nikki Dessingue ( Where the Land meets the Sea ), their debut is this Thursday at The Middle East Up. They are playing with Shoney Lamar (nominated for Best Male vocalist in this years Boston Phoenix Best Music Poll) and Brooklyn's Akudama, as well as The Main Drag, who have a song that has been stuck in my head for two days: A Jagged Gorgeous Winter - The Main Drag from Main Drag on Vimeo [...]
New Releases V2.9
Hot Chip: One Life Stand
TOUR: The Tallest Man On Earth Announces U.S. Dates
