Christmas Come & Gone
Posted on December 27, 2003 at 2:53 pm | No Comments
Spent the holiday up in Vermont, as usual, combining some relaxing family time with a couple days of work. Relaxation is just what I needed … been fighting an unrelenting illness that just won’t move on. Now that I’m back in Boston, it has settled squarely in my chest, and I’m coughing like a fiend. Brutal, but enough whining outta me. Not like I’m the only sickly one in the world. Hell, half of you reading this probably have infections to call your very own. I feel your pain.
If you were paying attention, you noticed I got a little festive with a couple of Christmasy mp3s on the songs page. Both come from the 1992 Velocity Girl / Tsunami “Season’s Greetings” split seven inch single on Simple Machines. Yeah, they’re kinda crackley, and are more novelties than great songs, but consider your curiousity satisified.
I’m in the middle of a full-on obsession with the Stills. We listened to their debut, “Logic Will Break Your Heart”, non-stop on our drive north, then returned home to find them performing live on Conan O’Brien last night. To cap off the coincidence, I just checked their website and they’ve got a Boston date scheduled on February 3rd at TTs. Aces all around.
There’s some other great stuff on tap for early ’04, including Rilo Kiley playing acoustic at the Middle East next month, and shortly after that tickets go on sale for Jon Stewart’s March appearance at the Orpheum. Check out the column on the right for more area events.
Alright, time to fend off another coughing fit, take some more Robitussin, and head back to the couch. DVD on deck: The Getaway.
p.s. Speaking of Rilo Kiley, go here to download one of their live shows from August in Austin, Texas. Thanks to Largehearted Boy for the link.
On The Album Leaf
Posted on December 24, 2003 at 10:22 am | No Comments
An emotional rollercoaster of a music-filled weekend it was, bookended by Friday night’s stellar Album Leaf / American Analog Set / Shenzhou 5 show at TTs and Sunday’s melancholy yet quietly comforting afternoon of a tribute to Elliott Smith.
The Album Leaf took me to another planet entirely. The dimmed lighting, the sychronized video projections, the beautiful Rhodes keyboard stylings of super-genius Jimmy LaValle over trancey, rhythmic backing tracks (running on Windows ME, no less. risky!). The lulling strains of a subtle violinist accompanied him, along with two members of the American Analog Set (singer Andrew on keyboards and guitar, vibramaphone guy Sean Ripple on the drums). The songs ran together nicely, only a brief pause or two during the whole set, which helped send the crowd into perfect space. Found myself closing my eyes a lot, totally overwhelmed… it’s rare that a band is able to do that for me, and when they do, it’s like I’m hooked on a perfect drug. I’ve loved their recordings for awhile, but I’ll be at every area A.L. live show from here on out. More please.
I’ve been listening to their new import CDEP (“Seal Beach”), which I picked up at the show, non-stop since Friday. Ranks up there with their best, and jumps into my best of the year list just in time. (speaking of best of the year… have you heard that Stills album? oh my goodness, now that’s the stuff).
The Album Leaf’s mesmerizing set sort of overshadowed the other two bands. Y’know, I think I’ve sort of burned out on American Analog Set. I’ve seen ’em maybe four times in the past year (I’m not complaining!… I’ve been spoiled.), and while the shows have been either good or mostly great, the lack of new material is leaving me just a tiny bit apathetic. They’re one of my favorite bands, but I find myself hungering for a new AAS experience.
The Shenzhou 5 were very good, if a little loose, and it’s the sonic extension of Seana Carmody’s Syrup USA days. I love that she’s got Deb on harmonies and guitary stuff… she adds a hell of a lot to the layers, as does the other slide (and sometimes regular) guitarist. Looking forward to some recordings, for sure.
Not ready to write about the Elliott tribute yet. Maybe later…
