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.

So I logged into Facebook this morning. Off to the right side was an ad pushing the Saw 6 movie.  Not have one ounce on interest in seeing Saw 6 (or 1 through 5 for that matter) I clicked to little “x” to make it go away.   It goes away and then pops a different Saw 6 ad.  I click the little “x” again. Up pops a third Saw 6 ad.  I repeat this two more times.  I saw FIVE Saw 6 ads in a row, discarding each one as either irrelevant or repetitive.  You would think Facebook would have picked up on this after the first one… or maybe even the second one… but 5 times in a row?

I had so much music come at me this past week that I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed.  Therefore, I’m resorting to some quick-n-dirty commenting; not that  normal comments would ever be considered novels.

Brooke was kind enough to drop me a copy of the upcoming Arms release Kids Aflame (w/bonus tracks).  I talked about this release in my last post, but hearing it in its entirety was quite pleasing.  The acoustic version of Whirring is simply icing on the cake.

Brooke also sent me three other newsworthy tidbits:

- Dark Captain Light Captain is releasing a five song Remix EP. The cheering you hear in the background is me. DCLC’s Miracle Kicker was on of my 2008 favorites and I’ve been waiting for something new to come my way.  If the remix of Questions is an indication, this EP will be a must have.  The first word that pops into my mind is “charming” and I’ll stick with it.  You can download this nine minute wonder here.

- Sin Fang Bous aka Sindri Mar Sigfusson and member of Seabear is making his North American tour debut this fall in promotion of his solo release Clangour. If you need a sample, download Catch the Light, a sweet little track that has some of the subtle charm of early Shins.

- For something a little more laid back, I turn to Will Stratton’s up coming release No Wonder.  The lead of track, Who Will, is as smooth a song as you’ll hear.  Do I dare say Norah Jones?

Moving on…

I got my first twitter music reward last Monday when finneyerkes started following me.  Curiosity piqued, I checked their profile and discovered some wonderful ambient music.  Best of all they are making three albums worth of material available for free download. Check it out if you get a chance.

Here’s a lovely semi-acoustic version of the Clientele’s Bonfires on the Heath.

Lastly, here’s an Andrew Bird and St. Vincent video piece that is pure magic. I’ll see both in less than three weeks for a two night engagement at the Cat’s Cradle. And yes, I will be there both nights.