Adriana Delawari - Be Gone Taliban Ariana Delawari - Cheshme Siah Daree The Panjshir Valley in north-central Afganistan is the soul of what Afganistan use to be. Ahmad Shah Massoud was given the name 'Lion of Panjshir' after successfully defending against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan and the valley as well as the 'Lion' have become one site of resistance against the occupation of the Taliban... Ariana Delawari's album transforms richly textured songs into glowing hymns of struggle and hope. [...]
The album sweeps along on extravagant rowls of fuzz and trippy, slurring string arrangements. Ariana Delawari's parents moved from Afghanistan to the U.S. to avoid a Soviet invasion just before she was born. After seeing a chance to rebuild the country a few years ago, they moved back. Their daughter takes her stage name, and the name of this, her first album, from the nickname of an Afghan general who fought successfully against the Soviets. Her love of the 1960s shows in almost everything -- the album sweeps along...
Editor's Aside: There are a lot of things that could be researched and alluded to in today's review, particularly the history of Taliban rule in Afghanistan, and more lightheartedly, what exactly a tabla, rabab, and dilruba are musically. They show up as misspellings in my spellcheck. Levity aside, an entire cultural landscape is impossible to digest and connect in a short album review. What's important, dear readers, is that the overall backstory to Ariana Delwari's newest release, while intriguing and powerful, is not the only noteworthy highlight point. This review will discuss the story associated with the album, and even [...]
Editor's Aside: There are a lot of things that could be researched and alluded to in today's review, particularly the history of Taliban rule in Afghanistan, and more lightheartedly, what exactly a tabla, rabab, and dilruba are musically. They show up as misspellings in my spellcheck. Levity aside, an entire cultural landscape is impossible to digest and connect in a short album review. What's important, dear readers, is that the overall backstory to Ariana Delwari's newest release, while intriguing and powerful, is not the only noteworthy highlight point. This review will discuss the story associated with the album, and even [...]
Song Dear and the Headlights ~ " I'm Not Crying. You're Not Crying, Are You? " myspace plays: 10,018 mp3 download (via largehearted boy ) Dear and the Headlights is a five member band out of Arizona. Their album, Drunk Like Bible Times, is scheduled to be released on September 30th, and are also scheduled to play the Troubadour on November 4th. Video Mission [...]
Okkervil River Play the Fonda on Tuesday I saw a couple of great shows last week (Spiritualized at the Echo and My Morning Jacket at the Greek). This week's looking good too. Look at all the options on Tuesday alone. Monday 9/22/08 [Recommended] The Raconteurs / The Kills @ Greek Theatre ($37 - $45) – They're even better live than on record. [Recommended] Fleet Foxes / Frank Fairfield @ El [...]
Interesting shows around Los Angeles this week: Monday 9/22 CSS, Tilly And The Wall, Ssion @ Mayan Theatre The Raconteurs, The Kills @ Greek Theatre Hot Chip, Drums of Death @ Wiltern Fleet Foxes, Frank Fairfield @ El Rey Does It Offend You, Yeah?, Team Robespierre @ Troubadour Alex & Sam @ Tangier Dios (Malos) @ Spaceland Tuesday 9/23 Okkervil River, Sea Wolf, Zykos @ Music Box The Raconteurs, The Kills [...]
Monday 9/15/08 [Recommended] Dios (Malos) / Residual Echoes / Toys That Kill / Wet Cassette @ Spaceland (Free) – I had a really good time last week. [Recommended] Death to Anders / Radars to the Sky / The Transmissions / The Monolators @ the Echo (Free) Nelly @ House of Blues ($42.50) IAMX / Miss Derringer @ El Rey ($20) Joan as Police Woman / Greg Laswell @ Largo ($25) Michael Vidal (Abe Vigoda) @ Pehrspace [...]
Built to Spill I didn't make it to any shows last week, but I plan to make it out a few times this week.... Monday 9/8/08 [Recommended] Dios (Malos) / Radar Bros . / Marching Band / Leviathan Brothers @ Spaceland (Free) – Probably the strongest night of Dios' residency. I don't miss many Radar Bros. shows. And this is the [...]
Why? (Oakland, CA) Why? , Rafter , Dub Lab DJs @ The Echoplex The experimental folk genre has bred an entire culture of would-be musicians banging on furniture, messing with effects pedals, and practicing Gregorian chants in the hopes that they too can achieve Pitchfork fame and celebrity. Don't get me wrong I LOVE me some experimental folk. Very few bands do it not just well but EXCEPTIONALLY and [...]
New York : Mobius Band @ Le Royale Liam Finn @ Bowery Ballroom Delta Spirit @ Mercury Lounge Los Angeles : Why? @ The Echo Lion of Panjshir @ Tangier The Rosewood Thieves @ Silverlake Lounge Chicago : Lacona [...]
Aaron Embry Plays Tangier Every Wednesday in September (photo by Sylvia) Monday 9/1/08 [Recommended] Dios (Malos) / The Underground Railroad to Candyland / Miguel Mendez / Audacity @ Spaceland (Free) - It's hard to believe that Dios has never done a Monday night residency. I think they're looking for a new record deal, so hopefully they play like they're capable of. [Recommended] Dave Gleason / Old Californio @ Redwood Bar - For the country rock [...]
Vampire Weekend - Cousins
WKND PLYLST!! This has nothing to do with NEW MOON!
Bobby B's Top 50 Albums Of The Decade (#25-21)
HOT CHIP TAKE another crack at IT and I’m IN
Tila Tequila NSFW UStream Freak Out (Video)
