I almost didn’t go to the Little Dragon show at Local 506 since it was the night before turkey day, but in the end I did. And surprisingly so did a fair number of people (I was expecting it to be a ghost town).

Blinking Pigs off their Machine Dreams release is what got me interested in this band (great song) and other than a session at KCRW, I had no idea what to expect.  Seeing Yukimi come on stage barefooted was one unexpected thing. Watching her dance around on stage and in the crowd was another.  I’d say it was a set of about 10 songs with no encore.   They did play Blinking Pigs, but beyond that I can’t tell you one song… oh, during one break someone from the crowd yelled out a tune and they played it as the next song.  I thought that was a nice gesture.  Overall I’d say it was a good set and I’m glad I went.

Pictures here. Apologies for the quality, but wasn’t standing in my usual location. I ended up being about 4-5 feet back and that made all the difference in lighting.

This is a musical tangent for me that takes me back to the years I swore off all but Classical music (the early 90’s).

Icelandic artist Ólafur Arnalds‘ upcoming release Found Songs dabbles in the Classical world and may for all intensive purposes might be consider a Classical work.  But, it does have have electronic underpinnings so I’m hesitant to classify it totally to the symphonic world.

I’m really out of my element here in trying to offer something off comparison. It doesn’t fit in the Philip Glass mold… not quite the spectrum of Ulirch Schnauss… or even Sigur Rós, for whom he has been an opener.  Maybe somewhere in between all three of those is where Ólafur lies, but I do know that I like it and have repeatedly played since it landed in inbox.

So if you need something a little different… something out of your normal musical fare… give Found Songs a listen.  No suit and tie required.

So far there are three really strong quote/unquote “electronic” releases for the year. Moby’s Wait For Me is one.  Maps aka James Chapman’s Turning the Mind is two.  CFCF aka Mike Silver’s Continent is the third.

With regards to CFCF, Silver hovers somewhere around the land of Ulrich Schnauss but you can hear snatches of someone like the Album Leaf to someone like the aforementioned Moby or even Zero 7.  He’s not locked himself in one electronic limb, but explores several branches of the tree. Its really a well-crafted release and deserves a listen.

Continent comes out November 3rd.

Following up their 2008 4-song EP, Rifle, I Knew You When You Were Just a Pistol, Hot Cha Cha has released their first full-length entitled The World’s Hardest Working Telescope and the Violent Birth of Stars. Overall, I find myself falling back to a comparison to Siouxsie and the Banshees… particularly with Jovana’s vocals (listen to Hookers Deserve A Lifetime Achievement Award). And while not in the same vein of say the Vivian Girls, Hot Cha Cha can deliver a foot pumping song i.e. Ticket Away From Prague.

This is a solid release and one that really makes me want to see them live.  Hopefully, that will not be too far into the future (either me to Cleveland or HCC to the Triangle)… said with fingers crossed.

Actually, it was a dark and cold night with nearly two hours of it spent standing outside in line.  This was for the Selmanaires / Broadcast /Atlas Sound show at Local 506.  The show was a sell out so I got there a bit early (8:30pm).  Doors were suppose to open about that time, but due to an equipment issue with one of the bands, the doors didn’t open until 10:20pm.  Although there was grumbling — me included — I give the 506 guys credit for managing what could have been a really ugly situation.  From what I can tell all but a few managed to wait it out because it was certainly packed inside.

As for the show, I liked the Selmanaires. A half-dozen or so set that put some life into the crowd. For Broadcast, I went to sleep (almost literally).  I hate to write that because I am a Broadcast fan and I think their Future Crayon release is one of the better b-side collections ever released. But for this night after the long wait, it wasn’t the what everyone needed. Thankfully, Atlas Sound aka Bradford Cox brought me back to life.  With the Selmanaires playing backup Bradford went through about a dozen songs (the last few were solos). Quite enjoyable.

Picture here.

By my count (and Eric’s — great memory) this was my fifth Say Hi show.  One show at the Duke Coffeehouse and four at Local 506. So I guess you can say I do like Say Hi a lot. And you would be correct.

This iteration of Say Hi featured a new drummer and new bass player.  And now that I think about it, each show has a had a different mixture of players and a different sound.  This version, sound-wise, I really like.  Much more of an edge and less of a pop sound (nothing against pop). Eric said that was what he was feeling these days, so that works for me.

Fourteen songs in all and although that was quite a lot for the opener, it was over far sooner than any of us would have preferred.  Eric, see you next time you come through.

Pictures and set list here.

People packed Carter-Finley for U2, but they can have that show (and I’m a U2 fan).  I’ll take the packed Cat’s Cradle for a show over that any time.  It was two nights, two sell outs, two great artists and two great shows. First night St. Vincent played about ten songs and Andrew Bird about 20 (based on Amy’s count of the set list).  Second night, St. Vincent played 9 songs (pictured) and Andrew listed 15 (not counting encores. The encores were Andrew and Annie performing a Bob Dylan cover and then a couple of songs with both bands.  Superb tunes, excellent shows. Please come back.  Burritos on me.

Pictures here and here.

So the FTC is coming after bloggers who endorse products.  Interesting.  Question one would be “How do you plan to enforce that?”  Since that is hopeless, there is no need to move on to other questions.

BUT, to play fair I’ll tell you straight up my policy for reviewing bands.  First, I am not paid.  Do you see any ads on this blog or on my web site? No, and it will stay that way. I don’t do this for money. I do it as a creative outlet. Its simply a brain dump (fart, to those who really know me).

Second, I receive emails each week from agencies/artists promoting bands. They are greatly appreciated.  Unless I’m way, way behind in my life I general check out each one. Some are obvious deletes (no, I’m not going to listen to anyone associated with American Idol) but in most cases I give everyone a fair shake. Sometimes I do receive the full release as mp3s, but in most cases that’s only after I have listened to a sample and agreed to review it.  Many times these reviews will lead to a purchase on my part and/or my presence at a show.  Free tickets have been offered, but I always pay my way. Many of the bands I review are scraping by so I figure every dollar helps.

Third, I suck at reviewing so anyone who thinks what I do is credible work-for-hire must be insane.

Finally, I only review artists that appeal to me.  My negative review is no review… other than the occasional dig for a show — who in the hell could like Rooney?

Arms and Sleepers. Another twitter follower discovery. How I’m being discovered on Twitter I have no idea, but I like the results. This is good stuff, somewhere amongst The Album Leaf, Eno, Zero 7 and Air.  Their soon-to-be-released CD Matador is a definite must-have.

A show with an changing line-up. Originally it was the Magic Numbers and School of Seven Bells then it was Graveyard Fields and School of Seven Bells and finally it was Graveyard Fields, Phantogram and School of Seven Bells.  I would have liked to see Magic Numbers, but I am so glad I got to see Phantogram.

Graveyard Fields opened in what was stated to be only their second show.  If that’s true they were pretty good for a second outing. Like a lot of new bands they need to find their musical way, but I’d say they are not too far from it.

Phantogram.  Joshua and Sarah.  LOVED IT.  Simple as that.  Less than 10 songs but all good. It was nice to see the crowd recognize When I’m Small (which was the song that hooked me).  If Phantogram comes back I’ll be there.  BTW, I believe I heard that there will be a full album release in January.

School of Seven Bells.  I missed them when they came through Charlotte not too long ago (opening for M83 I beleive).  Regretted that ever since. Great set of 10 songs and one encore song of Sempiternal / Amaranth.  The only downside was from where I stood — right at the stage — I took in too much Benjamin’s guitar and not enough of Alejandra and Claudia’s voices.  Other than that, it was wonderful.

Pictures are here.