Radio Free Berry 01.04.06
Posted by Brian Berry on 01.04.2006
Flaming Lips new album, Belle & Sebastian/New Pornographers announce tour, Death Cab For Cutie music videos y mucho mas, all in the 6th edition of Radio Free Berry!
IN THE BEGINNING THERE WAS…
Happy New Year and welcome to the sixth edition of Radio Free Berry. You can look to RFB for the freshest indie/college rock reviews, up to the minute news, tour and new release dates, and a gigantic, novelty aluminum foil ball of disorganized running-at-the-mouth on music related issues.
My New Year's was quiet yet satisfying (good friends + Freaks and Geeks DVDs x Sierra Nevada Pale Ale=good times), and free from run-ins with the law (for once), and I hope yours was too (i.e. fun and free from encounters with the police).
I'm going to one of two sold-out shows by Wolf Parade this Thursday at The Independent in San Francisco. Will they live up to the #2 slot I gave them last week in my top albums of 2005? Look for a short report next week, here in Radio Free Berry!
As always, if you have questions about anything music related shoot me an e-mail at pavlon88@hotmail.com or follow the link at the bottom of my column.
• Flaming Lips: CMJ reported that At War With the Mystics, Flaming Lips' follow-up to the critically acclaimed 2002 album Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, is set for an April 4 release. If you see middle-aged men in animal suits, covered with fake blood, playing acid fried pop-music, be not afraid, it's only Oklahoma's greatest band, The Flaming Lips.
• Animal Collective: Animal Collective, the proprietor of the #4 spot on my year end best albums list, are set to hit the road for the second leg of a North American tour in support of 2005's Feels. (Image courtesy Whatcharockin.com/)
Many have spoken of their insane live show, which I missed out on due to a quick sell-out the first go ‘round. Check them out when they hit your town…I'll be at the March 5 show at the Fillmore in San Francisco. Tour dates below in the "Sell Your Liver For Tickets To…" section.
• Death Cab For Cutie: Death Cab For Cutie has plans to post music videos for every song off their 2005 album Plans by the end of January. Check out Death Cab For Cutie's homepage for more information.
Belle and Sebastian/The New Pornographers: Matador Records, home to Belle and Sebastian & The New Pornographers reports-
"While venues and dates are still being confirmed, we can announce that Belle & Sebastian and The New Pornographers will be touring together in early '06 throughout North America, the former in support of the forthcoming 'The Life Pursuit', the latter behind the consensus pick for the album of 2006, 'Twin Cinema'."
I damn near shit myself when I saw this double-bill. The only thing that concerns me, besides the stage caving in from the sheer mass of bodies in these two heavily populated groups (nearly ten in The New Pornographers and a handful more in Belle and Sebastian), is the fact that Belle and Sebastian will most likely be the headliner for this show. This was the problem when Bright Eyes opened for Belle and Sebastian a few years back. Like Bright Eyes, New Pornographers are a more rock-oriented band than the gentle twee-pop of Belle and Sebastian. Bright Eyes stole that show. Expect The New Pornographers (my pick for #1 album of 2005) to do exactly the same.
• Mogwai: Filter Magazine reported that the drony, (mainly) instrumental Scottish rockers of Mogwai will hit the roads of North America this year in support of their fifth studio album, Mr. Beast. Check Mogwai's homepage for more tour and new release information.
3. SELL YOUR LIVER FOR TICKETS TO…
Coming to a venue near you very soon! All shows are most likely under fifteen bucks with exception to Bob Pollard, The Silver Jews, and Jeff Tweedy. If you go to one of these shows and it sucks, I'll concoct you a bottle of grape Syzurp.
Animal Collective
2-21 - Boston @ Paradise 18+
2-22- Montreal @ La Sala Rossaall ages
2-23 - Toronto @ Lee's Palace 18+
2-24 - Lansing, MI @ Temple Club all ages
2-25- Chicago @Logan Square Auditorium all ages
2-26- Minneapolis @ Neumos all ages
3-2- Vancouver @ Richard's On Richard'18+
3-3- Portland @ The Library all ages
3-5- San Francisco @ The Fillmore all ages
3-7- Los Angeles @ The Vanguard 18+
3-14- San Diego @ Epicentre all ages
3-15- Tucson @ Solar Culture all ages
3-19- Atlanta @ Variety Orange Peel with Storsveit Nix Noltes - 18+
3-21- Washington, DC @ The Black Cat with Storsveit Nix Noltes - all ages
3-22- Philadelphia @ Starlight Ballroom with Storsveit Nix Noltes - all ages
3-25- New York @ Bowery Ballroom 18+
Deerhoof
1-24 - Cambridge, MA - Middle East *
1-25 - Providence, RI - AS 220*
1-26 – Saratoga Springs, NY- Falstaff's at Skidmore College
1-27 - Baltimore, MD - Ottobar*
1-29 - Philadelphia, PA - TBA*
1-30 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom*
* w/ Starter Set: featuring Leg & Pants Dans Theatre, Screenings by Martha Coburn, Le Ton Mite
Collin Melloy (of The Decemberists) 1-18 Seattle, WA - Showbox
1-19 Portland, OR - Aladdin Theater
1-20 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
1-21 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey
1-23 Chicago, IL - Park West
1-25 Boston, MA - Paradise
1-26 New York, NY - Town Hall
1-27 Philadelphia, PA - Theater of Living Arts
1-28 Alexandria, VA - Birchmere
Robert Pollard (of Guided By Voices) 1-26 Athens, GA - 40 Watt
1-27 Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle
1-28 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
2-09 Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom
2-10 Columbus, OH - Little Brother's
2-11 Newport, KY - Southgate House
2-24 Los Angeles, CA - Knitting Factory
2-25 San Francisco, CA - The Independent
2-27 Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge
2-28 Seattle, WA - Crocodile Café
3-30 Minneapolis, MN - First Ave
3-31 Chicago, IL - Metro
4-01 Detroit, MI - St. Andrews
4-20 New York, NY - Irving Plaza
4-21 Boston, MA - Paradise
4-22 Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of Living Arts
Silver Jews 3-10 Athens, GA - 40 Watt
3-11 Atlanta, GA - The Earl
3-12 Asheville, NC - Grey Eagle Tavern & Music Hall
3-16 Charlottesville, VA - Satellite Ballroom
3-17 New York, NY - Webster Hall
3-19 Cambridge, MA - Middle East
3-21 Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church
3-22 Baltimore, MD - Ottobar
3-24 Columbus, OH - Little Brother's
3-25 Ann Arbor, MI - Blind Pig
Jeff Tweedy (of Wilco/Uncle Tupelo)
1-31 Vancouver, British Columbia - Commodore Ballroom
2-02 Seattle, WA - Moore Theatre
2-03 Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom
2-04 Eugene, OR - McDonald Theater
2-06 Arcata, CA - Humboldt State University
2-08 San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
2-09 San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
2-11 San Diego, CA - Spreckels Theatre
2-12 Los Angeles, CA - Henry Fonda Theater
3-12 Sunrise, FL - Langerado Music Festival
5. COLLEGE MUSIC CHARTS
Still no changes on the college charts. Dusted Magazine and College Music Journal should be back with new charts within the next two weeks.
Dusted Magazine (December 13)
1. Animal Collective-Feels (Fat Cat)
2. Silver Jews-Tanglewood Numbers (Drag City)
3. Bell Orchestra-A Tape the Colour of the Light (Rough Trade)
4. Caribou- Marino Audio (Domino)
5. Bonnie ‘Prince' Billy- Summer in the Southeast (Drag City)
6. The Gris Gris- For the Season (Birdman)
7. Lightning Bolt-Hypermagic Mountain (Load)
8. Twink-The Broken Record (Seeland)
9. Gang of Four- Return the Gift (V2)
10. Akron/Family/Angels of Light-Akron/Family/Angels of Light (Young God) Credit: Dusted Magazine
College Music Journal (Issue 943)
1. My Morning Jacket-Z (ATO-RCA)
2. Sun Kil Moon-Tiny Cities (Caldo Verde)
3. Wilco-Kicking Television: Live In Chicago (Nonesuch)
4. Various- This Bird Has Flown: A 40th Anniversary Tribute to the Beatle's Rubber Soul (Razor & Tie)
5. Broken Social Scene-Broken Social Scene (Arts & Crafts)
6. Gang of Four-Return the Gift (V2)
7. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah-Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (self-released)
8. Go! Team-Thunder Lightning Strike (Columbia)
9. Tom Vek-We Have Sound (Star Time International)
10. Rogue Wave-Descended Like Vultures (Sub Pop) Credit: College Music Journal
Again, a good rule of thumb for differentiating these two publications are as follows: Dusted Magazine is a non-commercial website, free of charge for radio stations. Dusted collects playlists from college radio stations pushing underground/indie music almost exclusively (about 50 stations). College Music Journal collects data from both college and select commercial stations willing to pay for a subscription to their service (about 200 stations). Both are reliable sources for finding hip, new music being embraced by the college radio crowd.
6. NEW RELEASES TO SPEND YOUR $$$ ON
In stores now…
I've done the hard work, weaning out all the crap, leaving behind a few interesting titles to keep your eyes peeled for. Look out next week for new releases by BR5-49, Jad & David Fair, Incredible String Band, Morningwood, 16 Horsepower, Sloan, and We Are Scientists.
Released January 3-
• Joy Division-Let the Movie Begin (Ozit)
Comment: For those who are unfamiliar, Joy Division is the band that became New Order, after JD's lead singer hung himself in 1980. This album is for die hard fans only (uninitiated parties should check out 1980's Closer for an introduction). Interviews with all band members, live performances, and alternate studio outtakes of album tracks comprise this officially licensed album of the short-lived, English band who is responsible for turning the synthesizer into a tool of destruction, used to emphasize the tortured life and haunting lyrics of their late frontman, Ian Curtis. Fans of Interpol can't deny the huge influence Joy Division has on their music.
• Mano Negra-Best of Mano Negra (EMI)
Comment: Mano Negra is the late 80s, early 90s Parisian band founded by one of the most popular rock en espanol musicians, Manu Chao. This import only, two-disc set covers their career of music that was equally influenced by The Clash, rockabilly, hip-hop, Latin music, dub, and reggae. Truly unique, Manu Chao is covered on disc one by eighteen of their best song (and two previously unreleased tracks), while disc two is a previously unreleased live concert. If you didn't catch them before they broke up, check this collection out. The domestic version contains the first disc only.
• The Strokes-First Impressions of Earth (RCA)
Comment: Early reports of The Strokes third album have been luke warm at best. Compliments are generally directed toward the New York band's rhythm section while giving a weary look toward vocalist Julian Casablancas, who continues to write insipid lyrics and remaining the cook who tries too hard, spoiling the stew.
7. RADIO FREE BERRY'S BOOMBOX PICKS OF THE WEEK
(Runner-Up) The Kinks-The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society (Reprise/WEA)
(Runner-Up) The Phantom Limbs-Applied Ignorance (Alternative Tentacles)
(Runner-Up) Teenage Fanclub-Bandwagonesque (DGC)
(CHAMPION) My 30gb Black IPod
After one week, I now have 3,500 songs on my 30gb IPod, which means half the memory remains to be filled. The biggest treat found so far is the random playlist option. At one point, I went from the hardcore cocaine raps of Clipse, to the fist-pumping anthemic rock of Andrew W.K., faux-Satanic death metal of Slayer, and then to The Beatles "Blackbird." Does my IPod have a sense of humor or are these playlists truly created at random? I just figured out how to get full-color album art onto my screen. This is too sweet. Why I naysayed the wonderment of this ridiculous little machine at one point is beyond me.
8. PARTING THOUGHTS/PLUGS
• I saw Wolf Creek this week and I must say I strongly disagree with the review written at 411 Movies several days ago that slammed the picture with a 4.5/10 score. Not only does Wolf Creek movie not rely on cheap thrills and traditional horror conventions, but it leaves a lasting effect on the audience long after the credits roll. True, the build up is a bit long, but that argument isn't enough basis to slam this unique, genuinely horrifying film. The pacing and acting are both incredibly natural and believable making this not-so-far-fetched horror film a must see. This Friday, I'll be in line at 10am for the opening of Eli Roth's Hostel.
• I came on board at 411 Mania initially to write about movies (I was a film student in college) but noticed that I'm more passionate about music writing. Long story short, I love movies…here's my picks for the top 10 of the year:
10.Batman Begins 9.The Aristocrats 8.March of the Penguins 7.Sin City 6.Wedding Crashers 5.Land of the Dead 4.Inside Deep Throat 3.Oldboy 2.A History of Violence 1.Palindromes
As for the rest of the crop of films this year…I still don't think The 40 Year Old Virgin was very funny, I still think Rob Zombie movies are unoriginal, 70s exploitation, rip-off crap (re: Devil's Rejects), Syriana was confusing as all hell (and not entertaining at all), Star Wars 3 was ‘good enough', and Richard Linklater's Bad News Bears made Walter Matthau turn over in his grave for its brief theater fun.
• If you liked Radio Free Berry, you'll love:
- Dancing About Architecture opens the new year with Guns ‘N Roses, U2, and the ongoing saga of Gary Glitter!
- Year In Review Part 2: The Concerts covers 411 Mania music writer's picks for the best concerts of 2005, wherein you'll find my picks, Ian Wright (Dancing About Architecture), reviewer Morgan Marx, and editor Michael Melchor's choices for the best of the year.
- The Lost Highway showcases another good film, The Anniversary Party. Mary always picks some kick ass movies for her column. Read and support women writing for 411 (then go and rent the movies she writes on)!
- The Stone Roses are the latest victim of Steven Mogan's The Untouchables column. Steven weighs the pros and cons of The Stone Roses career and legacy. Excellent choice Steven! In my opinion, Stone Roses made a great first album, a clunker to follow, and Ian Brown's an egotistical asshole (in one instance, he sucker punched a friend of mine in San Francisco).
-Misunderstood Masterpieces attacks Alone in the Dark. Please Hammer, don't hurt Christian Slater. This column reads like a literal interpretation of Mystery Science Theater 3000. Good stuff.
-Broken Social Scene (self-titled) review by Anthony Leung
-My Morning Jacket "Z" review by Morgan Marx.
• Hit me up for more information. Have a badass week.
