speed of dark

Can You See the Sunset reviews an album of interest--and available by free download too--called Cities We're Not From by The State Lottery.

Concrete Circles posts a tease about the Best of 2008 lists that will be ongoing through this month. Thanks Captain Obvious impresses me no end with a TOP 50 List! I see some of the same things I'm considering, but I think I'll have to stop at 10 on trying to put them in order. Was there a lot of great music this year, or what?

Music Is Art features an interview with the fabulous Faint who also provide a mix on the theme of Cherries, with a surprising number of song titles and artist names.

Lost In Your Inbox starts a new, low-intensity exercise regime with some appropriate tunes.

Tomorrow night we're at Aimee Mann's 3rd Annual Christmas Show at the Wiltern in L.A. I see familiar faces from last year's show will be appearing again: Nellie McKay, Grant Lee Phillips, Paul Thompkins, and Morgan Murphy (the Hannuka Fairy) I have had the tickets since May, I think, because we enjoyed last year's show so much.

Contrast Podcast #140 has a raging case of the mashups! I did not contribute to that podcast, but I do have here an incredible and gorgeous mashup of Carpenters' songs by Go Home Productions will make you forget how sick you are of that old sleighride classic.
Go Home Productions: Carpenters' Christmas Mashup from Santastic II: Clausome
MySpace | Go Home Productions Website
Free download: djBC.net

Casper and the Cookies: Kiss Me Beneath the Christmas Tree from Daytrotter Session, December 2007
MySpace | Website | Label: Independent
Free download at Daytrotter | Buy

Doctor Octoroc created a whole album of twisted Christmas classics in video game theme style. I love how this one is arranged in minor keys.
Doctor Octoroc: Ryu the Red-nosed Ninja from 8-bit Jesus
MySpace | Free download: Doctor Octoroc.com

Summer Cats: Plastic Christmas Trees from Christmas Cats
MySpace | Free download: Last.fm

We know why Santa will be leaving a lump of coal at the White House this Christmas.
The Cavedogs: 3 Wise Men and a Baby from Yuletunes Compilation (1991)
MySpace | Website
Free downloads: Tayter Country | Buy: Black Vinyl Records, CD Baby, Amazon

Photo by alt-gramma: At the door of the Thirsty Hippo

art from slap upside the head

In the spirit of the holiday, I want to give thanks and appreciation to those who support us and those who we depend on, for the wonderful opportunities we have been afforded this year, and for all of the wonderful people in my life.

I am thankful for my mother, Alt-Gramma, who has kept this blog going while I have been having a very stressful and busy few months. She is the most supportive person in my life and always willing to help me when I need it, listen when I need to talk, and give advice when I ask for it. Thank you, Mom...

colin meloy: my mother was a chinese trapeze artist [live]

I am thankful for my husband, known here as Spouse, who has supported me through some tough times, mostly by making me laugh and reminding me that life shouldn't ben taken so seriously all of the time. I am also thankful for my son, He Might Be Giant, for surprising me every day, and being such a great kid, always ready with a big smile when I need one.

landon pigg: falling in love in a coffee shop [buy]

I am thankful that we will be moving into our first house by Christmas, that we are able to buy a such a lovely house in these uncertain financial times, in a nice neighborhood, and that I adore this house so much.

starflyer 59: i'll be home for christmas [buy]

I am thankful for the family that I have married into, who have helped us and provided such a firm foundation of love and support from all sides. It's such a large group of people, always there to lend a hand when you need them.

And I'm thankful that we've had such a great run with Blogger, providing a free blog for us to bring our music to you and learn about great new bands from you. But after the Thanksgiving weekend, we're going to be thankful to bring to you our new blog, hosted on our own site where we don't have to worry about "the man" deleting our work for no reason with no warning.

paul simon: she moves on [buy]

I'm thankful for this and so much more - Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

We are one week away from what is known in retail parlance as "Black Friday," traditionally the heaviest shopping day of the year. Since Mr. Folkie and I saw Zach and Miri Make a Porno,, I can't help remembering the scene where Delaney, who is black, is told by the boss that he has to work on Black Friday. The tirade that follows is both bizarre and hilarious--typical Kevin Smith.

Can You See the Sunset brings us some tunes from the stack of CDs from his overflowing mailbox--a hazard of music blogging. I have stacks too, and it's really hard to keep up.

Lost in Your Inbox also posts some new music today, one with Calvin Harris vocals. Scroll down, and you'll find us discussing Craig Ferguson and Scottish accents.

Thanks, Captain Obvious has brand new music from Anathallo's new album, Canopy Glow.

Count Me Out has featured Horsefeathers, Deerhunter, and new Andrew Bird this week on video.

And Contrast Podcast #138 covers affairs of The Heart. My contribution will probably show up again on my Favorites of 2008, so check it out.

This one is for Indie Mom:
Chris Walla: Everyone Needs a Home from Field Manual (2008)
MySpace | Website | Label: Barsuk
Buy at Amazon.com, iTunes

Buildings and Trees: November, unknown album (2005)
Download: CNET

Trembling Blue Stars: November Starlings from The Last Holy Writer (2007)
MySpace | Label: ElefantRecords
Buy at Amazon.com, iTunes, and eMusic

The National: Mr. November from Alligator (2005)
MySpace | Website | Label: Beggars Banquet
Buy at The National Shop, iTunes, and eMusic

Photo by alt-gramma: native California wild grapes

We took a drive last weekend and came across a field with acres of gourds drying in the sun. You would not believe how big these things are.

What's happening on the blogroll:

Count Me Out notes that both Justin Vernon of Bon Iver and the Handsome Furs will have new releases early in the new year.

Lost In Your Inbox celebrates a clean bill of health!

QCLA has started a record label called Chocolate Lab Records and has signed up Andy Yorke, who happens to have a brother who sings as well.

Music Is Art has a contest to give away an art poster designed by the vocalist of TV On the Radio.

Quarterlife Party correctly judged the video of Australian band Tame Impala's "Half Glass of Wine" as a must-see: dazzling and surreal. The song is good too! Note to self: must find.

Contrast Podcast #137 is Songs With Whistling in Them. I couldn't think of anything except Andrew Bird or Lovin' Spoonful's "Daydream," but other contributors were much more inspired.

Since Blogger's random poofing of posts includes those with label-approved files, there is not much incentive to stay perfectly "clean." So today I'm saying, Screw It! I'll post what I want. I have backups of everything.

A couple of days after Barack Obama's historic win, the Decemberists and a large audience celebrated with a 2-hour concert at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia. Having seen the Decemberists twice (at the Wiltern, 2006 and at the Hollywood Bowl, 2007) and Colin Meloy on his own (at the Music Box, 2008) as well, we know that no matter how many times you've heard the songs, Meloy will manage to make them different and fresh. And he must enjoy bossing people around. This concert was no exception.

Here Meloy makes the audience run in place! Gee, I'm glad he only made us sing scales! Then, "double-time!!!" Then he makes them all sit on the floor. "Aw, it's not that dirty," he says to those who hesitate, "They just mopped it. I watched them."
The Perfect Crime Pt 2 (live)

One of the new singles:
A Record Year For Rainfall (live)

After the blood-chilling "Culling of the Fold," Meloy leads into "Chimbley Sweep" with a monologue about Obama. In the middle he talks about his campaign to get everyone to call our VP-elect Joe Biden "Fightin' Joe."
Chimbley Sweep (live)

Without a pause they launch into a great rendition of "16 Military Wives" that of course includes audience sing-alongs and ends the show until they return for the encore.
16 Military Wives (live)

Listen to the whole thing here. It includes several songs from the new album and from singles that have recently been released.

MySpace | Official Website | Label: Capitol Records
Buy at the Decemberists' Store, Amazon.com, iTunes, and eMusic

Photo by alt-gramma: gourds in the sun

Change is good.

Marcy at Lost In Your Inbox threw herself into the Obama campaign, so it's no wonder that now the job is done she's experiencing withdrawals with a beautiful song by Nina Nastasia and Jim White.

Music Is Art features a fundraiser for breast cancer awareness and prevention called Keep A Breast Foundation.

To Die By Your Side features an impromptu composition by Ryan Adams that helps explain how Adams is such a prolific songwriter. It's the same impression I got when I was reading Adams' blog.

Berkeley Place sets up at a new web address with a Clash concert bootleg.

Contrast Podcast #136 celebrates Change--hooray!

OK, I'm into pretty stuff today to go with the cool, mellow weather. It rained here on election day, which was certainly a sign of change.

Emily Neveu of San Diego's Calico Horse does a slow, acoustic turn on Radiohead's rapid-burst percussion-fest "Idioteque." Very different, very nice.
Calico Horse: Idioteque (Radiohead cover)
This track was provided by an authorized agent of the artist and/or label for the expressed purpose of distribution on Speed of Dark.
MySpace | Website | Label: Banter Records
Buy at Banter Records, iTunes, and eMusic

Don't let the title fool you; Canadian Rae Spoon is more into country/folk than disco. Don't be fooled by the name and voice either; Rae is MR. Spoon. I have this thing for ambiguous vocals, so I think the rest of the album is excellent too. I got it all.
Rae Spoon: Come On Forest Fire Burn the Disco Down from Superioryouareinferior (2008)
This track was provided by an authorized agent of the artist and/or label for the expressed purpose of distribution on Speed of Dark.
MySpace | Website | Label: Washboard Records
Buy at Rae Spoon Store Older: Amazon.com, and eMusic

The debut EP of Boston's Clatter Clatter will be released in January. Meanwhile, here is a taste to whet your appetite for rippling melody and clear, sweet vocals. Vocalist Keith Nelson also writes a music blog at Under the Rotunda!
Clatter Clatter: Just To Say
This track permitted by Keith Nelson for distribution on Speed of Dark.
MySpace | Website | Label: Unsigned

Choir-like vocal layers make this song by Carlon dreamy and peaceful. The band just finished up at CMJ last month, hot on the heels of releasing their album at the end of September.
Carlon: Canteloupe from Johari Window (2008)
This track was provided by an authorized agent of the artist and/or their label for distribution on Speed of Dark.
MySpace | Website | Label: Ropeadope Digital
Buy at Amazon.com, iTunes, and eMusic

Photo by alt-gramma at the Huntington Gardens

Jack-o-lantern contest winners. I vote for Trogdor!

Happy Halloween! Let's see check out some of our buddies:

Music Under Fire has an incredible Halloween playlist today. I would have loved to have featured any of those here, but under the current search-and-destroy policies I have experienced lately, I don't dare.

Check out new band The Danks at Lost In Your Inbox.

Motel de Moka commemorates what hopefully is more than a great moment with a quote from John Rawls on basic liberties and some really fine older tracks.

Read an in-depth review of Ryan Adams' new album Cardinology at Muzzle of Bees. We both like "Fix It," and it sounds like I'm going to like the rest as well.

Be sure to pick up the October Mixtape at Thanks Captain Obvious. It's another masterpiece.

If you're still looking for tracks for the perfect party mix for tonight, I am not much help. Frankly, I think it's scary enough that on this day Republicans are still in control of the country, our soldiers are still dying on foreign soil, anyone of us could go bankrupt from catastrophic medical costs, and some people in my state want to control who total strangers to them can or cannot marry.

Los Angeles band Meho Plaza, consisting of Jennifer Hwang (keys), Mike Thrasher (singer/guitarist), and James Connelly (drums) might scare the britches off you with this weird, jerky, but catchy tune. If that isn't frightening enough, they have a giant bug face on their album cover. They are playing dates around southern California in November.
Meho Plaza: I Sold My Organs from Meho Plaza (2008)
This mp3 was provided by an authorized agent of the artists and/or label for the expressed purpose of distribution on Speed of Dark.
MySpace | Website | Label: Better Looking Records
Buy at Amazon.com, iTunes, and eMusic

Mills, Majlco, and Leaf of Six Red Carpets are from Italy with a strong and dynamic new album. Along with the free download make sure you get the e-booklet, which has beautifully executed illustrations and hand-lettered lyrics for each song. It's a real treat.
Six Red Carpets: Here's to the Nightmare from Nightmares and Lullabies
This mp3 was provided by the artist for the expressed purpose of distribution on Speed of Dark and is also available for free download.
MySpace | Website
Download at Six Red Carpets Website

Drone/dub duo Telepathe of Brooklyn, NY, released this song on 7-inch vinyl, and they'll be appearing at the Echoplex next Tuesday, hopefully celebrating an unprecedented victory in U.S. politics.
Telepathe: Devil's Trident
This mp3 was provided by an authorized agent of the artistfor the expressed purpose of distribution on Speed of Dark.
MySpace | Label: Independent
Buy at Merok Records

The Frowns from the Netherlands play the stalker role in this breezy, 70s-esq song from their debut EP Four Times the Frowns.
The Frowns: The Stalker from Four Times the Frowns
This mp3 was provided by the artist for the expressed purpose of distribution on Speed of Dark and is also available for free download on their website.
MySpace | Website | Label: Independent
Buy at Frowns Website

Photo by Sherret on Flikr

It may have been a quiet week in Lake Wobegon, but it's been an exciting week (and not in a good way) at Speed of Dark. The story is still in progress, and I am in the process of deciding a plan of action, so I am not ready to tell it all here yet. Maybe one day.

But there are big hints in some of the archived posts and little hints in particular elements of today's post, so you might guess the general issue. I've been spending a lot of time on blog business, and not much on the blog subject (music) for the last several days, and pretty much no time reading other blogs.

And then there's the rest of life. I have a lot to do today, so today's post is a shorty. One thing I did not scrimp on here is the music. I like all of these new songs.

What part of this song by Los Angeles' Happy Hollows reminds me most of the past few days? The screaming at the end. Note the influence of the Pixies and Kim Deal here. Also, HH is taking the Radiohead approach to marketing: go to their blog site and pay what you think is fair.
The Happy Hollows: Tambourine from Imaginary EP (2008)
MySpace | Website | Label: Heart Records
Buy at Happy Hollows blog

This Little Death is from the U.K. and not the band Moby is in. This single is from their new self-titled mini-album, set for release next month. It will be available for sale online.
Little Death: Baby Can You Dig Your Man?
MySpace | Label: Independent

Local band! The Soft Hands are from Long Beach, which is local to me if you consider the entire southern part of California "local." I bet this is great live.
The Soft Hands: Harbor from Hours Pass By (2008)
MySpace | Website | Label: Fidotrust Records
Buy at Fidotrust Store

Tracks in this post were provided by authorized agents of the artists and/or their labels for the expressed purpose of distribution on Speed of Dark.

Jordan Geiger of Hospital Ships, Shearwater, and Minus Story

Quarterlife Party features clips of five tracks from the new Ryan Adams CD Cardinology. I think this album is going to take a few listens to get into.

Muzzle of Bees gives us a heads-up on the new Oasis album. NOW I'm interested!

Passion of the Weiss saw Jay-Z at the newly remodeled Palladium. Not my kind of music, but boy did he get some nice photos!

I Guess I'm Floating features Three Absurdly Good Animal Collective MPP Covers.

If you're feeling down, go over to The Lonesome Blog for some music to lie down and cry by. They always have tunes I end up loving over there.

I blew out a lot of political frustration on Wednesday (Time For Change, but Lost In Your Inbox has something thoughtful to say almost every day. Today's installment is "Virgin Voting." Lots of good music too.

And Mr. Toad at Song, By Toad waxes wordy on the subject of Chillout music. Hey, it's better than drugs!

Hospital Ships: The Shots I Drank from Oh, Ramona (2008)
MySpace | Graveface Records | Buy

Luomo: Love You All from Love You All remix EP (2008)
MySpace | Website | Buy

Kinetic Stereokids: Have a Nice Day from Have a Nice Day EP (2008)
MySpace | Website | Buy

Boo and Boo Too: I'll Be Your Whore from No Tempo (2008)
MySpace | Website | Buy

Bad news: as of this post, the website that hosts our blogroll (blogrolling.com) is down. I stupidly don't have any of my favorite blogs bookmarked, depending only on the links on SoD to read them. So instead of going down the blogroll list, I went through Hype Machine. I vow to bookmark all my fave blogs from now on.

Fellow L.A. bloggers Rollo & Grady have live covers of Radiohead by Paradigm, some Beatles covers, plus J. Tillman and much, much more.

We Like It Indie features a write-up about The Graduate, who we interviewed back in 2007. The band is re-releasing their debut Anhedonia and embarking on tour in November. Check 'em out!

Inkiostro, a music blog in Italian (?), has a lovely cover of Arcade Fire's "My Body Is A Cage" by Sara Lov.

Thanks Captain Obvious brings good stuff as always, including new Decemberists and a review of the new Annuals EP.

Soundbites saw Franz Ferdinand live this week (I'm horribly jealous).

Berkeley Place shares some covers by Rademacher of Whitney Houston and Talking Heads, and a cover of Whitney Houston by David Byrne of Talking Heads.

arcade fire: wake up [live KCRW 2005] [buy]
the decemberists: human behavior [bjork cover] [buy]
franz ferdinand: walk away (acoustic) [buy]
talking heads: psycho killer [live 1977] [buy]

Find more on Hype Machine.

Photo by Nancy Neil
The heat wave finally broke today, and a welcome fall breeze is coming down the hill and through the house. This post is going to be short (and late) because He Might Be Giant is coming to spend the weekend, and I have to do some fast cleaning.

I enjoyed Music Under Fire's post about the songs used in those Geico commercials with the cavemen. I don't watch much TV, but even I have seen a couple of those.

Check Monday's post at Lost In Your Inbox where Marcy suggests making a donation to Planned Parenthood in Sarah Palin's name. Great idea, and all the info is in the post.

Can You See the Sunset expresses his disappointment with his new iPhone.

Thanks, Captain Obvious has news on the new Rosebuds album, Life Like. He also has a video of Fleet Foxes, featuring Robin Pecknold and Josh Tillman in the back of a cab, covering Judee Sill's "Crayon Angels," which I saw them play in June at the Echo. Wonderful!

Contrast Podcast #131 features songs with sound effects. My choice was the Acorn's "Plates and Saucers," with its rattling dishware.

Midlake: Roscoe (acoustic) from Oak and Julian EP (2007) [Buy]
Chrissie Hynde: Talk of the Town - live, acoustic - Listen to podcast on KCRW Morning Becomes Eclectic
The Acorn: Plates and Saucers from Blankets EP (2005) [Buy]
Franz Ferdinand: Walk Away - acoustic (2006)

Davey Quon from We Barbarians

Uber Drivel has photos and reviews from the 2008 Virgin Festival.

Trendwhore agonizes over the lineup at the Montreal Pop Festival and the tough decisions between seeing SNFU or Bad Religion...decisions, decisions...

Thanks Captain Obvious reviews the new TV on the Radio and Damien Jurado releases, shares a lovely Manchester Orchestra video, and makes another excellent covers mixtape.

Song By Toad interviews The Builders and the Butchers and reviews the new Kings of Leon album that I haven't had a chance to listen to (yet).

Rollo & Grady are going to ACL this weekend (lucky bastard) and has some nice photos from My Morning Jacket at the Greek.

Count Me Out has a Wilco contest and so much other good stuff I can't even list it all.

And finally, a random selection from iTunes:
COPYRIGHTED CONTENT HAS BEEN REMOVED
mark kozelek: i'm sorry [john denver cover]
calexico: love will tear us apart [joy division cover]
beck: the golden age
franz ferdinand: the fallen
belle and sebastian: the boy with the arab strap

Visit The Yellow Stereo for a HUGE Daily Graboid, including Mogwai, Okkervil River, Calexico, The Broken West, and The Lovely Sparrows, among others, plus some coverage on Athens Popfest 2008.

The Vinyl District highlights some amazing albums, including The Posies' Frosting on the Beater, Jeff Buckley's Grace, and John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band.

To Die By Your Side exposes the dirty truth about the indie music scene (the fact that any band who makes it "big" is instantly despised by the indie scene) and brings out a David Bowie cover by The Flaming Lips.

Thanks Captain Obvious reviews the new Okkervil River and shares a really nice covers mixtape.

Rollo & Grady share a bunch of Flight of the Conchords (can't WAIT for the new season in January), has a lovely ode to the great state of California by Jay Farrar, some tracks from Radiohead's recent stop at the Hollywood Bowl, and much more.

Muzzle of Bees has a live video of possibly my favorite Wilco song...can't settle on just one, but this one is close.

Music Under Fire reviews for new Earlimart album, which I haven't had a chance to get into yet (I'm about 2 years behind in my music listening, sadly), while Music is Art reviews the upcoming new album from Annuals.

And finally, I've been listening mostly to NPR, something I never would have imagined of myself, and enjoying myself at some of my favorite timewasters: Comics Curmudgeon, Photoshop Disasters, Passive Aggressive Notes, and It's Lovely, I'll Take It!, especially since I'm trying (and failing) to find a house I want to buy.

Next Week: Vampire Weekend and Tokyo Police Club at the Glasshouse!
COPYRIGHTED CONTENT HAS BEEN REMOVED
muse: house of the rising sun [animals cover] [support]
franz ferdinand: come on home [buy]
rogue wave: own your own home [buy]
dire straits: money for nothing [buy]

Across the nation, moms and retailers are celebrating the fact that many children went back to school this week. A few children are even happy about it.

Marcy at Lost In Your Inbox is celebrating the end of the week with some Friday songs. Earlier in the week she listed the qualities she shares with new VP-nominee Sarah Palin. Scary! I had no idea that Palin has a blog--who doesn't, I guess?

Muzzle of Bees has got hold of a live video of Jeff Tweedy playing a new Wilco song, as yet unnamed. Nice.

Our new blog-buds Rollo and Grady have an exciting group of covers that includes Cat Power, Hot Chip, and the Veils.

Zeon Music has a wonderful end-of-summer mix that includes a couple of my very favorites, "Irene" by Caribou (made my 2007 favorites list) and "Ghost World" by Aimee Mann, as well as a great b-side by the Cardigans.

I have listened to only one song by Chad VanGaalen, but Thanks, Captain Obvious is ahead of me with an album review of Soft Airplane and two more tracks.

Contrast Podcast # 127 has us introducing our songs with a poem. A very interesting a beautiful set is the result.
COPYRIGHTED CONTENT HAS BEEN REMOVED
Amp Live: 15 Stepz, Radiohead remix ft. Codany Holiday, from Rainydayz Remixes (2008)

MGMT: Weekend Wars from Oracular Spectacular (2007)

Passion Pit: Sleepyhead from Chunk of Change (2008)

Motel Motel: Coffee from New Denver (2008)

Ratatat: Mirando from LP3 (2008)

Work sux
It's finally Friday, and in the U.S. it's the beginning of a three-day weekend too! The weekend is typically the last summer blow-out before school starts, and heralds the beginning of the fall/winter holiday season, although here in SoCal the hot, muggy weather is making brisk fall days seem far, far away.

Big congratulations to Lonesome Music Blog for passing their 4th anniversary earlier this month! Don't miss the gorgeous songs by Donna Beasley and Beachwood Sparks in their two latest posts.

Contrast Podcast #126 is one of the very special and much-anticipated Musicians Introduce Their Own Songs episodes. You won't regret taking the time to discover the artists who contributed to this set, which begins with the lovely and haunting voice of Devon Sproule.

Check out the album review of Jr. Juggernaut at Can You See the Sunset, plus volumes 31, 32, and 33 of cool tunes from the 90's.

Two weeks ago You Ain't No Picasso gave us Six New Songs By the Decemberists. I know we heard Colin Meloy sing one of these when we saw him at the Henry Fonda Theater in April (review).

Music For Kids Who Can't Read Good provides an analysis of the nearly six-minute new release by Of Montreal.

MP3Hugger is blissed out about going to the 3-day Electric Picnic Festival that starts today in Ireland.

Visit Thanks, Captain Obvious to watch a video of Bon Iver's Justin Vernon playing an Okkervill River cover, and don't miss the previous post with the two songs by Ribbonpigeon. LOVE that fiddle! Gotta look up more of those guys.

To make up for our spending too much time celebrating (Happy August!) and not blogging, here is a Labor Day mix for everyone who is getting some time off this weekend. Enjoy!
COPYRIGHTED CONTENT HAS BEEN REMOVED
Pizza!: Time Off Work from Bound By a Love EP
The Pinker Tones: Working Bees from Wild Animals (2008)
The Mekons: Work All Week from The Secret Life of Things (2004)
Murder Mystery: Cold, Hard Workin' Man
from Are You Ready for the Heartache Cause Here it Comes (2007)
Cuff the Duke: Ballad of a Lonely Construction Worker
from Life Stories For Minimum Wage (2002)
Dramarama: Work For Food from The Best of Dramarama (1996)
Morning Runner: Work from Wilderness Is Paradise Now (2006)

more cat pictures

While we currently only have plans to see two shows in September, there are quite a few shows coming up in the next month in the L.A. are that sound intriguing. A select few:

09.02.08 - Sons and Daughters at the Troubadour

09.05.08 & 09.06.08 - Nada Surf at the Troubadour

09.09.08 - Mogwai at the Wiltern

09.10.08 - Throw Me the Statue at the Echo

09.14.08 - Lindsey Buckingham at UCLA's Royce Hall

09.16.08 - Vampire Weekend at the Glasshouse

09.16.08 - Devotchka at the El Rey Theatre

09.17.08 & 09.18.08 - Vampire Weekend at the Wiltern

09.18.08 - Tokyo Police Club at the Henry Fonda Music Box

09.19.08 - Tokyo Police Club at the Glasshouse

09.19.08 - Earlimart with The Wedding Present at the Troubadour

09.20.08 - Beck with Spoon and MGMT at the Hollywood Bowl

09.21.08 - My Morning Jacket at the Greek Theatre

09.21.08 & 09.22.08 - Hot Chip at the Wiltern

09.22.08 - Fleet Foxes at the El Rey Theatre

COPYRIGHTED CONTENT HAS BEEN REMOVED
nada surf: whose authority [buy]
vampire weekend: mansard roof [buy]
tokyo police club: listen to the math [buy]
my morning jacket: tyrone [erykah badu cover]
MGMT: the youth [buy]

photo from here
Visit The Yellow Stereo for his Daily Graboid, always a source of great new music this week.

The Vinyl District waxes on about Elliott Smith's timeless masterpiece album, Either/Or, which contains a song with great personal meaning for me, "Between the Bars".

One of the newer sites on our blogroll, but one that I read faithfully each week, Thanks Captain Obvious celebrates his blog's first birthday. And a blog that's been on our blogroll almost since the beginning, Lonesome Music turns four!! We'll be celebrating our 2-year blogiversary in a couple of weeks...

Rawkblog has a bunch of great stuff this week, including a link to Wilco live at Lollapalooza, pics from the American Apparel flea market (that I was supposed to go to but didn't), photos from Ravens & Chimes, and a commentary on the upcoming Pitchfork book.

Music for Kids... has photos and reviews of Lollapalooza, plus a collection of his really nice concert photography on flickr.

And finally, in honor of his birthday on Wednesday, I bring you some of my beloved Elliott Smith tracks:

elliott smith: between the bars (either/or sessions) [buy]
elliott smith: color bars [buy]
elliott smith: pretty (ugly before) [live 2000] [buy]
elliott smith: supersonic [live oasis cover]
elliott smith: needle in the hay [live 1996] [buy]
elliott smith: my sweet lord [live george harrison cover]

I Guess I'm Floating has the new Devendra Banhart video, all Bollywood and starring his girlfriend Natalie Portman. I don't think I'd ever listened to Devendra before, since I was put off by his oddness. Now I see that I was wrong - I like the song and the video is just icing on the cake and is oddness is to be embraced. My favorite "subtitle", although there's some great ones to choose from, was "Crystal bubbles will cremate our troubles!"

Motel de Moka brings out a mix dedicated to the lovely state of California.

As I mentioned on the last FF, Taylor from Music for Kids... got married and he has posted an absolutely gorgeous mix of songs from his wedding.

Muzzle of Bees has a ton of stuff this week, including pictures from the Pitchfork Music Festival, a review of The Hold Steady, plus much more.

We crossed paths unknowingly yet again with Rawkblog when we saw Wolf Parade and The Listening Party at the Henry Fonda last weekend. Check out his photos (and BTW, I was thinking there could have been MORE of Spence's keys).

The Late Greats posts one of my favorite Iron & Wine songs, "The Trapeze Swinger", which is the softest and sweetest song to ever feature the lyrics "fuck the man".

Trendwhore has the lineup for Pop Montreal 2008, which includes some amazing bands, including Nick Cave, Hot Chip, The Dodos, Black Kids, Great Lake Swimmers, and many, many more.

Vinyl District was voted #5 on Makeoutclub's Top 10 Mp3 Blogs (congrats!) and posts some Grant Lee Buffalo.

Yellow Stereo also has some recap and photos from Pitchfork and this week's Daily Graboid.

yoav: adore adore [session remix] [buy]
the mountain goats: no children [buy]
russian futurists: incandescent hearts [buy]
thom yorke: skip divided [acoustic] [buy]

We wish Taylor from Music for Kids... happiness for his wedding this weekend. Congratulations!

Zeon Music has a host of covers plus a leaked Lily Allen demo.

You Ain't No Picasso reviews an Elf Power show in a small venue.

Yellow Stereo has the lowdown on the upcoming Of Montreal album, due in November, and a tour plus a Watson Twins contest.

Toad gives Beck's latest a grudgingly good review and gets a little melancholy thinking about the past.

Quarterlife Party reviews two tracks from the upcoming Fields album, their second.

Popdose reviews a Fleet Foxes show and resurrects MC 900 Ft. Jesus (bad joke? sorry).

And finally...in case you haven't already seen it, check out Radiohead's crazy lovely video for "House of Cards", made without the use of cameras.


COPYRIGHTED CONTENT HAS BEEN REMOVED

radiohead: i want none of this [buy]
fields: song for the fields [ewan pierson remix]
fleet foxes: white winter hymnal [buy]
neil young: bad fog of loneliness [live 2007]

And finally...my personal life has allowed me to return to this blog to bring Alt-gramma a well-deserved break and bring you this week's Finally Friday, which has been on hiatus with me. I'm glad to be back to co-writing this blog, but I'm waaaay out of the loop, since I haven't been listening to much music lately nor attending any shows. I'll count on my fellow bloggers to fill me in on what I've missed, and I'm sure I'll be back up to speed with their help.

B(oot)log has some live Iron & Wine from 2007 (which is about where I feel I am right now, in a time warp).

Check out the video for Beck's latest single, "Gamma Ray" at Count Me Out. The little that I have heard of his new album, Modern Guilt sounds amazing.

Visit the two newest additions to our blogroll, Culture Spill and mp3hugger.

Muzzle of Bees revisits Cracker, posts some AMAZING shots of Haley Bonar, and reviews Wolf Parade's show at the House of Blues, widely known as the worst venue for music bloggers the world over.

Quarterlife Party has the link to NPR's stream of Fleet Foxes live and an interview with the band.

Fellow L.A. blogger Rawkblog reviews the Constantine's show at the Troubadour, my favorite venue that we haven't actually been to at all this year. We'll cross paths later this month at the Wolf Parade show at the Henry Fonda.

On my time off of the blog, I listened most often to my husband's music selections, since we went on a couple of long car rides where my iPod is banished and I have no say over what music we listen to in the car unless I am driving. His music tastes range from classic rock to rap to classical music to college fight songs and to rock, rarely reaching into the usual music that we cover on this blog, with the exception of the Time Travel Tuesdays, for the most part.

While I would call Alt-gramma the queen of the mixtape, since she painstakingly crafts them so that each song leads almost seamlessly into the next, my husband's mixtapes are a mishmash of whatever he feels like putting on them, which means you can have Mozart next to Ludacris, followed by the Ballad of the Green Berets. He also names his mixtapes (and by mixtape, I mean CD) extremely descriptive names like "X" or "C". Helpful when I am trying to find something good to listen to.

Here are a few that we could agree on:

COPYRIGHTED CONTENT HAS BEEN REMOVED

matthew sweet: girlfriend [buy]
al green: love and happiness [buy]
bob marley and the wailers: no woman no cry [buy]
jay-z: i just wanna love you [buy]

If you haven't already, read the interview of Mark Kozelek by Ben Gibbard, incredible songwriter to incredible songwriter over at The AV Club.

Watch this great video for "After Hours" by We Are Scientists:


The Yellow Stereo reviews a mesmerizing DeVotchKa show and has a concert to win free stuff from South.

Thanks Captain Obvious reviews the new Wolf Parade and Death Cab for Cutie, plus has a video of Arcade Fire performing "Neon Bible" in an elevator. Amazing - a must see.

Check out Rawkblog for his reviews of The Dodos live at the Natural History Museum, and Division Day at their second home, the Echo, plus tour dates from Hot Chip...I gonna try to see them in September.

Quarter Life Party has some more lovely pics and a link to download the music from the Radiohead show that was rained out, and some information for those who didn't make it to the show because of the weather.

And finally...I am the last person on earth to finally watch There Will Be Blood, although I watched it with two people who gave it the thumbs down so I didn't have anyone to talk with about it. My son, He Might Be Giant (HMBG), said the music was weird, and he didn't understand why it sounded happy during sad scenes and scary and sad during happy scenes. I've spent the last several days just thinking about it and thinking that I just want to watch it again.

radiohead: jigsaw falling into place [scotch mist version 2007]
we are scientists: altered beast [buy]
death cab for cutie: prove my hypotheses [buy]
jonny greenwood: proven lands [buy]