Review: HERE
(Photo: The Line of Best Fit)
Friday, June 18, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
MENOMENA (London Hoxton Bar & Kitchen, 07/06/10)
Ah, it's good to have them back. Despite rumours that this show would showcase only new material, the recently-expanded Portland quartet found room for a number of “Friend and Foe” classics as well as a slew of fantastic-sounding songs from the upcoming LP “Mines.” The addition of a new member really beefs up their sound, overcoming the inevitable limitations that came of reproducing such densely-arranged tracks with only three instruments, and even after only two days of practice, they sounded better than ever.
(Photo: John Gleeson)
Ah, it's good to have them back. Despite rumours that this show would showcase only new material, the recently-expanded Portland quartet found room for a number of “Friend and Foe” classics as well as a slew of fantastic-sounding songs from the upcoming LP “Mines.” The addition of a new member really beefs up their sound, overcoming the inevitable limitations that came of reproducing such densely-arranged tracks with only three instruments, and even after only two days of practice, they sounded better than ever.
(Photo: John Gleeson)
Friday, June 04, 2010
PRIMAVERA SOUND FESTIVAL (Parc del Forum Festival, Barcelona, 27/05/10-30/05/10)
(Photo: Stinker (Flickr))
If All Tomorrow’s Parties is Hoxton-on-Holiday, then Primavera is ATP Goes Abroad. The number of familiar faces around Barcelona became slightly disturbing after a while- it’s like being in one of those Eastenders specials where they transport all the regulars to Benidorm, only with a higher quota of plaid. If truth be told, the line-up wasn’t nearly as strong as last year; whilst there were great sets a-plenty, nothing stood out as truly memorable, especially when compared to Ponytail and MBV in '09. But then again, I had much more fun this time round- more booze, more friends and a hell of a lot less stress- so hooray for that.
Anyway, reviews and suchlike:
9/10
Titus Andronicus- I was on the same plane as them! I was very excited by this! Also, their performance was brilliant- not quite as epic as the CAMP show, but the moshing at the front was commendably ferocious.
Owen Pallett- Almost flawless. Premiered an amazing cover of Caribou’s “Odessa,” and “Lewis Takes Off His Shirt“ never fails to send shivers down my spine..
Matt & Kim- Simple, infectious synth pop delivered with boundless enthusiasm. The most joyous set of Primavera.
Japandroids- After thinking they were shit at Pitchfork last year, these guys really impressed me in Barcelona. Such a dynamic, vital performance.
CocoRosie- Not as revelatory as their ATP show, but still a wonderfully original and eccentric band. Beatbox/harp combos should be utilised more regularly.
8/10
Monotonix- Not *quite* as chaotic as their club shows, but the requisite drum-surfing/general insanity remained thankfully intact.
Liquid Liquid- Laid down the funk in sufficient quantities. Many crimes against dancing were committed.
Shellac- Playing an ATP-curated event?! NO FUCKING WAY. Still, it’s easy to forget what a rockin’ live band they are.
Pixies- Quite far back for this so felt somewhat detached, but getting to hear “Debaser” live was wonderful.
The Books- A more experimental Avalanches, complete with some fucking surreal videos. Not really a “live act” as such, but certainly the most intriguing discovery of the weekend.
Pet Shop Boys- Watching thousands of indie kids singing along to Go West: one of the most memorable moments of the festival.
Broken Social Scene- Lacked the overall brilliance of their Heaven gig, but KC Accidental->It’s All Going To Break (w/ Owen Pallett)-> Meet Me In The Basement? Uh, yes please.
Ui- Tortoise minus the glockenspiels.
Mission Of Burma- Better than Pavement.
Low- Beautiful set, worth the hassle of getting into the Auditori.
7/10
The Fall- Decrepit old man slurs incoherently; actually better than I thought it’d be.
Superchunk- Energetic, fun, if not really my bag.
Polvo- Suitably loud, and more engaging than Grizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzly Bear, who they clashed with.
Yeasayer- Good fun, although sound was dreadful further back. “Invite us back Barcelona- you’re much better than the UK” comment resulted in sadface.
6/10
Pavement- Crossed the entertainingly ramshackle/genuinely slipshod line too often for my liking. A rather phoned-in performance.
A Sunny Day In Glasgow- I can’t remember much about ASDIG, except I enjoyed their performance and some of their members were pretty attractive…
Nana Grizol- Very Jeff Lewis-y. ‘Twas alright.
Cohete- Think a Spanish Reel Big Fish. Make of that what you will.
5/10
Grizzly Bear- Pretty dull. Don’t think they’re really meant for festivals.
Wilco- An anaemic, middle-of-the-road set from a band I know can do much better. Hugely disappointing.
Surfer Blood- Generic zeitgeist band number 1
Ganglians- Generic zeitgeist band number 2
Thee Oh Sees- Generic zeitgeist band number 3
4/10
Van Dyke Parks- Really depressing to watch VDP peddle such dreadful, sub-Randy Newman balladry. Cringeworthy tweeness worthy of a cruise-ship entertainer, not one of the most legendary arrangers in modern musical history.
LOL/10
Marc Almond- I was genuinely creased up in laughter for much of what I saw of the Soft Cell frontman’s solo set; literally the campest thing I’ve ever seen. That said, there’s no denying “Tainted Love”…
(Photos, unless otherwise stated: Nathan Wind (Flickr))
(Photo: Stinker (Flickr))
If All Tomorrow’s Parties is Hoxton-on-Holiday, then Primavera is ATP Goes Abroad. The number of familiar faces around Barcelona became slightly disturbing after a while- it’s like being in one of those Eastenders specials where they transport all the regulars to Benidorm, only with a higher quota of plaid. If truth be told, the line-up wasn’t nearly as strong as last year; whilst there were great sets a-plenty, nothing stood out as truly memorable, especially when compared to Ponytail and MBV in '09. But then again, I had much more fun this time round- more booze, more friends and a hell of a lot less stress- so hooray for that.
Anyway, reviews and suchlike:
9/10
Titus Andronicus- I was on the same plane as them! I was very excited by this! Also, their performance was brilliant- not quite as epic as the CAMP show, but the moshing at the front was commendably ferocious.
Owen Pallett- Almost flawless. Premiered an amazing cover of Caribou’s “Odessa,” and “Lewis Takes Off His Shirt“ never fails to send shivers down my spine..
Matt & Kim- Simple, infectious synth pop delivered with boundless enthusiasm. The most joyous set of Primavera.
Japandroids- After thinking they were shit at Pitchfork last year, these guys really impressed me in Barcelona. Such a dynamic, vital performance.
CocoRosie- Not as revelatory as their ATP show, but still a wonderfully original and eccentric band. Beatbox/harp combos should be utilised more regularly.
8/10
Monotonix- Not *quite* as chaotic as their club shows, but the requisite drum-surfing/general insanity remained thankfully intact.
Liquid Liquid- Laid down the funk in sufficient quantities. Many crimes against dancing were committed.
Shellac- Playing an ATP-curated event?! NO FUCKING WAY. Still, it’s easy to forget what a rockin’ live band they are.
Pixies- Quite far back for this so felt somewhat detached, but getting to hear “Debaser” live was wonderful.
The Books- A more experimental Avalanches, complete with some fucking surreal videos. Not really a “live act” as such, but certainly the most intriguing discovery of the weekend.
Pet Shop Boys- Watching thousands of indie kids singing along to Go West: one of the most memorable moments of the festival.
Broken Social Scene- Lacked the overall brilliance of their Heaven gig, but KC Accidental->It’s All Going To Break (w/ Owen Pallett)-> Meet Me In The Basement? Uh, yes please.
Ui- Tortoise minus the glockenspiels.
Mission Of Burma- Better than Pavement.
Low- Beautiful set, worth the hassle of getting into the Auditori.
7/10
The Fall- Decrepit old man slurs incoherently; actually better than I thought it’d be.
Superchunk- Energetic, fun, if not really my bag.
Polvo- Suitably loud, and more engaging than Grizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzly Bear, who they clashed with.
Yeasayer- Good fun, although sound was dreadful further back. “Invite us back Barcelona- you’re much better than the UK” comment resulted in sadface.
6/10
Pavement- Crossed the entertainingly ramshackle/genuinely slipshod line too often for my liking. A rather phoned-in performance.
A Sunny Day In Glasgow- I can’t remember much about ASDIG, except I enjoyed their performance and some of their members were pretty attractive…
Nana Grizol- Very Jeff Lewis-y. ‘Twas alright.
Cohete- Think a Spanish Reel Big Fish. Make of that what you will.
5/10
Grizzly Bear- Pretty dull. Don’t think they’re really meant for festivals.
Wilco- An anaemic, middle-of-the-road set from a band I know can do much better. Hugely disappointing.
Surfer Blood- Generic zeitgeist band number 1
Ganglians- Generic zeitgeist band number 2
Thee Oh Sees- Generic zeitgeist band number 3
4/10
Van Dyke Parks- Really depressing to watch VDP peddle such dreadful, sub-Randy Newman balladry. Cringeworthy tweeness worthy of a cruise-ship entertainer, not one of the most legendary arrangers in modern musical history.
LOL/10
Marc Almond- I was genuinely creased up in laughter for much of what I saw of the Soft Cell frontman’s solo set; literally the campest thing I’ve ever seen. That said, there’s no denying “Tainted Love”…
(Photos, unless otherwise stated: Nathan Wind (Flickr))
TITUS ANDRONICUS (London CAMP Basement, 25/05/10)
FUUUUUUUCK YEEEEEEEEEEAH! Who cares if Patrick Stickles never quite achieves anything that could be truly described as “singing“, or that every song seems to descend into a Pogues-y knees-up, or that the total amount of subtlety on show is negligible at best. The fact is, this is the most goddamn enjoyable show I’ve been to Dan Deacon last year- the energy levels displayed by the audience and band unlike anything else I’ve seen this year. The sheer insanity of “Fear and Loathing…” almost killed me, and Battle Hymn of the Republic-> Titus Andronicus Forever-> Four Score And Seven pretty much finished the job. Gig of the year much?
(Photo: Chimpomatic (Flickr))
FUUUUUUUCK YEEEEEEEEEEAH! Who cares if Patrick Stickles never quite achieves anything that could be truly described as “singing“, or that every song seems to descend into a Pogues-y knees-up, or that the total amount of subtlety on show is negligible at best. The fact is, this is the most goddamn enjoyable show I’ve been to Dan Deacon last year- the energy levels displayed by the audience and band unlike anything else I’ve seen this year. The sheer insanity of “Fear and Loathing…” almost killed me, and Battle Hymn of the Republic-> Titus Andronicus Forever-> Four Score And Seven pretty much finished the job. Gig of the year much?
(Photo: Chimpomatic (Flickr))
HOLY FUCK (London Heaven, 24/05/10)
Too muted for the most part, but Canada’s premier purveyors of indielectronic bliss belatedly pulled themselves together to deliver the supreme adrenalin rush of Stilettos -> Lovely Allen -> The Pulse. HOLY FUCK! indeed...
(Photo: AnotherHowie (Flickr))
Too muted for the most part, but Canada’s premier purveyors of indielectronic bliss belatedly pulled themselves together to deliver the supreme adrenalin rush of Stilettos -> Lovely Allen -> The Pulse. HOLY FUCK! indeed...
(Photo: AnotherHowie (Flickr))
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