Supes and Spidey, in love and kicking ass

Rather than obsess about Wes Anderson, I think it's time we all step back and ponder really great cinema. For example, the superhero and sci-fi flicks that emerged from Turkey and India in the 1970s. If your exposure to Indian film is limited to "Indian Thriller" then you're really missing out. I submit as evidence this super sequence from an Indian flick depicting an amazing Superman/Spider-Woman team-up. They sure can bust a move:

I can't wait for the sequel.

Hotel Chevalier

In a wonderful little surprise this week on iTunes, Wes Anderson’s short film Hotel Chevalier was made available as a free download. I had read about it earlier in the week, but it was said to be available beginning next week after first debuting at a few select Apple stores. It’s very well done for such a short piece (about 15 minutes long) and gives a little history on one of the main characters in the upcoming The Darjeeling Limited.

During the opening moments of Hotel Chevalier, we see Jason Schwartzman’s character Jack (I had to look it up), who’s been living alone in a hotel in Paris for an undisclosed amount of time. A few minutes in, he gets an unexpected phone call from his ex or (or girlfriend?) played by my future wife Natalie Portman. That’s just a small introduction and it would be in your best interest to watch the rest of this delightful short, because beside it being well-shot, there’s a nice little scene involving Portman’s behind and also being partially nude. I’m sorry, but I consider that a highlight.

For most of us, we’ll never see this released as it was originallly planned. That being as a quiet lead into the main feature The Darjeeling Limited. According to a recent chat with the LA Times, Anderson said that he would like to attach it after the main film has played for a couple of weeks, while also saying “We felt they should be connected and searched for how to do that. In the end, I liked the idea that one person could see it in one way, and another could see it in totally another way.”

Who knows how everything will work out though, but here’s to hoping this comes to fruition. Download the entire short film here on iTunes to watch it for yourself.

CUBS WIN! HOLY COW!

Ladies and gentlemen, the Chicago Cubs are the champions of the National League Central Division. Woohoo!!!

Playoffs at Wrigley Field. Ah, bliss.

Steve Goodman - Go Cubs Go

Baseball season’s underway
Well you better get ready for a brand new day
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

They’re singing …
Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today
Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

They got the power, they got the speed
To be the best in the National League
Well this is the year and the Cubs are real
So come on down to Wrigley Field.

We’re singing now …
Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today
Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

Baseball time is here again
You can catch it all on WGN
So stamp your feet and clap your hands
Chicago Cubs got the greatest fans.

You’re singing now …
Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today
Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

Seabear - "I Sing I Swim"

If you've been dying for a fix of Icelandic indie pop (aren't we all?), you're in luck. Seabear have been gaining a foothold on both sides of the Atlantic, and I've really enjoyed the tracks I've sampled. They'll probably appeal to fans of The Boy Least Likely To or The Shins, though their tendency to employ hushed, understated vocals sets them apart from either. Their The Ghost That Carried Us Away was released back on September 9.

Seabear - I Sing I Swim

For more on Seabear, check out their Myspace.

Charlotte Martin

Looking over some concert listings, I noticed that singer-songwriter/pianist Charlotte Martin will be at The Loft in Atlanta on Friday night, September 28. Martin caught my attention with a very nice EP a few years ago, but I haven't kept up with her career. She seems to be doing quite well. I'm obviously behind with regard to her catalog, but I remember having a soft spot for this silly little song from her live shows. Quite a charmer, though it sounds like she could scare a gent too:

Charlotte Martin - I'm Normal, Please Date Me [3-10-2004]

Goofy song aside, "Veins" from her 2006 EP of the same name demonstrates a side more akin to artists like Bjork or Tori Amos with soaring vocals and interesting beats. A peek into her evolution, and much different from the older material in my collection:

Charlotte Martin - Veins

For more on Charlotte Martin, see her official site or Myspace.

Sometimes, one band plays a song by another

Because I'm in the mood for covers, let's indulge:

Joel Harrison - I Walk the Line [Norah Jones vocals; Johnny Cash]
The Fabs - That's the Bag I'm In [Fred Neil]
Saltine Crack Whores - Wild Bikini [Tullycraft]
Ben Marwood - Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover [Sophie B. Hawkins]
Kind of Like Spitting - Title Track [live; Death Cab for Cutie]
Har Mar Superstar - Alone Again (Naturally) [Gilbert O'Sullivan]
Mark Martucci - Come to Me Tonight [Daniel Johnston]
Colin Meloy - The Ballad of El Goodo [1-17-2004; Big Star]
The Prayers and Tears of Arthur Digby Sellers - Against Pollution [1-13-2005; Mountain Goats]

A fun little bunch of tracks, if I do say so myself.

Bad Animals and first concerts

The image to the left, my friends, is the cover of Heart's 1987 album Bad Animals. While it might seem an unlikely topic here, there is good reason to acknowledge good ol' Ann and Nancy Wilson.

MSNBC contributor Dennis Hensley has a story today about first concerts, and Heart's Bad Animals tour was mine. "Alone" and "Who Will You Run to?" were all over the radio, and I begged and pleaded with my mother to take my cousin and me to see Heart in Indianapolis. I was still in elementary school, but for some reason she agreed. It's hard to believe that was 20 years ago.

Details of the show are sketchy, but I do remember they played the hits and there was an extensive rain delay before the set due to fears of electrocution. I also recall being incredibly nervous, and to this day I'm not quite sure why. Perhaps it was the idea of seeing a live band fried to a crisp on stage. Either way, that show sure was the start of something.

Heart - Who Will You Run to?

That, by the way, is a song just begging to be covered and reinterpreted.

Shortly thereafter I saw Alabama with my parents at the Indiana State Fair. Sweeet.

What about you, dear readers? Care to share?

C&T: Creative Loafing 'Best of Atlanta' 2007

Well, I'll be darned.

Creative Loafing released their 2007 "Best of Atlanta" list today, and C&T got some much-appreciated love. This year Cable & Tweed was honored as both the readers' and critics' picks for Best Georgia-Based Music Blog. Honors for C&T even escaped the "After Dark" category this year, sharing the readers' pick for "Best Local Blogger" with DJ/promoter/blogger Preston Craig from KissAtlanta. Thank you to everyone who thought of Cable & Tweed!

The complete list of "After Dark" winners includes such familiar names as Deerhunter, The Coathangers, Black Lips, Snowden, and venues like The EARL, Variety Playhouse, Lenny's, and Criminal Records. Good company to be sure.

And now we begin another year of the goodness...

Deerhunter - Heatherwood [via Pitchfork]
Black Lips - Stranger
Snowden - Anti-Anti
The Coathangers - Parking Lot

Nana Grizol - "Circles 'Round the Moon"

It's quite a feat for an 87-second song to wriggle its way into my head for three months, but Nana Grizol has accomplished it. "Circles 'Round the Moon" is a little pop gem, with lyrics I can't help but sing. And really, it should "be unlawful to live where you can't see the stars."

This Athens band hit my radar shortly before AthFest, and I've been hungry for more. Finally caught them live at the 40 Watt last week and it's a good thing I did -- frontman Theo Hilton is reportedly set to hit the road for an extended period with Bloomington, Indiana, band Defiance, Ohio. I'll be eager for Nana Grizol's return to the local circuit.

Nana Grizol - Circles 'Round the Moon

For more on the band see their Myspace, where you can also download a couple more tracks.

Bonus mp3: Defiance, Ohio - Petty Problems

Hulk smash!

If you ever wondered how the origin of the Hulk was explained to kids 40 years ago, here ya go:

"Keep out of this Betty. It's MAN TALK!"

Best/worst cartoon theme song ever? Download that son of a gun at CBR.

Personally, I'm a little more fond of the modern incarnation. From The Ultimates Vol. 1 #5...


You go, big guy. Even if you're a little weird sometimes.

It's a blue ribbon day

Overheard today at an Athens restaurant...

Guy: I'd like a beer. What do you like?
Waitress: What kind are you looking for?
Guy: Something good, not an American beer.
Waitress: Well, I like PBR.
Guy: What's it like?
Waitress: It's like an American beer, I guess.
Guy: I'll take one.

It's a wonder my head didn't explode then and there.

Bonus mp3: The Gunshy - $4 Pabst

Elsewhere...

Flat Response (Lance!) is hosting the Black Kids set from Athens Popfest. Woohoo!

Live at WUOG

On Thursday night, University of Georgia radio station WUOG (90.5 FM) released its fourth compilation of live performances, Live at WUOG. The selections were culled from a few of their programs, as explained by the station's press release:

Our staff has been hard at work this past year booking, setting up, and producing bands to create our 4th release of live performances recorded in our studios. In addition to performances from "Live in the Lobby" it includes tracks from "Live Fast Rules" our live local metal show that is part of "Loud Fast Rules", "Crunk in the Lobby", our live hip-hop special which is put on by the DJs that host "The Halftime Hip Hop Show", as well as various non-local artists that have stopped by the station on tour from places such as North Carolina or even Sweden.

Contributions range from local C&T favorites (Madeline and Russian Spy Camera) to prominent indie acts (Lonely, Dear and The Posies). There's also fun pop (The Old Ceremony) and hilarious dance music (Les Napoleones) along with rock (Heros Severum) and local hip-hop (Deaf Judges, The Renegadez). There's also an unfortunate sampling of metal bands that pretty much hurt my head (e.g., Gravel Undertone, The Plague, and the painful screamo of Tualatin).

Even with a few misses the collection includes enough hits by local, regional, or (inter)national talent to make it a worthwhile sampler. The tracklist, along with a few free songs and a link to grab the whole darn thing:

Live at WUOG [2007]

01. The Old Ceremony - Papers in Order
02. Madeline - Jive Talking
03. Les Napoleones - Ze Germans
04. Deaf Judges - Nuevo
05. Gravel Undertone At the Gates
06. Ahleuchatistas - Shell in Ogoniland / If, Whenever / Sherman's March
07. Heros Severum - Out of Round
08. Lonely, Dear - I am John
09. The Plague - ZSR
10. Novum Organum - Third Movement
11. The Renegadez - Be Poppin'
12. The Posies - Second Time Around
13. Russian Spy Camera - Xs Over Eyes
14. Tualatin - Kill Yourself
15. Ishues - What They Do (freestyle)

You can also download the full album from Sendspace [77mb].

For the locals, hard copies are available at Athens area records stores. I got mine from the counter at Wuxtry. Thanks a million to WUOG for distributing the compilation!

Ain't that a kick in the head

I've spent some quality reading time with Cap lately, and I heart this sequence with Steve Rogers and Bruce Banner from The Ultimates Vol. 1 #5...

Take that, puny Banner.

Bonus mp3: Billy Strand - Ain't That a Kick in the Head

The Lucksmiths, Ladybug Transistor tour, in Athens 10/2

Tomorrow night in Los Angeles, Australian twee/pop pioneers The Lucksmiths begin their American tour. As reader Sara F. pointed out, their journey includes a visit to Caledonia Lounge in Athens on October 2, when they'll have Brooklyn indie popsters Ladybug Transistor along for the ride. I'd be excited for either à la carte, but to get them both in a combination platter is terrific. Mmmmm...

The Lucksmiths - Camera Shy
The Lucksmiths - Midweek Midmorning
Ladybug Transistor - Three Days from Now
Ladybug Transistor - A Burial at Sea
Ladybug Transistor - Song for the Ending Day

The tour to come, and who is on the bill in each fair city:

The Lucksmiths, Math and Physics Club
9/21 El Cid, Los Angeles, CA
9/22 Reds Cafe, Santa Barbara, CA

The Lucksmiths
9/23 12 Galaxies, San Francisco, CA
9/24 Crocodile Cafe, Seattle, WA
9/25 Holocene, Portland, OR

The Lucksmiths, The Brunettes
9/26 Schuba's, Chicago, IL

Lucksmiths, Ladybug Transistor, and Still Flyin'
9/27 TT the Bears, Cambridge, MA
9/28 Knitting Factory, New York, NY
9/29 Europa, Brooklyn, NY
9/30 DC 9, Washington, DC
10/1 Duke Coffee House, Durham, NC

Lucksmiths and Ladybug Transistor
10/2 Caledonia Lounge, Athens, GA

Ladybug Transistor and Still Flyin'
10/3 Village Tavern, Mt. Pleasant, SC

To hear more from The Lucksmiths, check out their Myspace. Same goes for Ladybug Transistor.

Black Kids return to Georgia, November 15-16

Whether casual readers know it or not, it's rare that a band generates actual, organic, self-sustaining buzz on music blogs. Most of the lucky acts who shoot up the elbo.ws charts, etc., do so with ample aid from PR agencies and labels who blast promos and mass e-mails to blogmeisters like myself. A clear and recent exception has been the terrific buzz about Black Kids, which began to take off after their Athens Popfest appearance when a few attendees (myself, Electric Sailor, Three Imaginary Girls, and Tullycraft included) were so impressed that they raced to their laptops and sang the band's praises.

It's been great to see, and well documented at the Black Kids page on Myspace. They've even caught the attention of Vice and NME -- not bad for a little band from Jacksonville, Florida, without a full-length release under its belt. Don't be surprised if these guys and gals have big things coming in the future.

Black Kids - I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You
Black Kids - I Wanna Be Your Limousine
Black Kids - Hurricane Jane

After stunning the Athens audience at Popfest, Black Kids return to Georgia next month and will share the stage with The Lolligags (yay!) and Judi Chicago (woo!). They still won't teach your boyfriend how to dance with you, but they'll make sure you shake your hindquarters and bounce around. The dates:

11/15 Black Kids, Lolligags, Judi Chicago @ Star Bar, Atlanta (L5P)
11/16 Black Kids, Lolligags @ TBA, Athens

I'll update once I hear about the Athens venue. Thanks to Mike from HHBTM for passing on word about the shows!

Jens Lekman coming to U.S., Atlanta date 11/16

Just a few days after Peter, Bjorn, and John finally came to Georgia, word is in that Swedish favorite son Jens Lekman will be in Atlanta in November. Jens will be at the Drunken Unicorn on November 16, one of about 15 American dates on his world tour. The full schedule can be seen via Secretly Canadian.

Jens Lekman - Friday Night at the Drive-In Bingo
Jens Lekman - You Are the Light

For more on Jens, check out his website.

The Lolligags - "Wired Up"

You know, I'm the first to claim outright that electro-pop is not my thing. Then I become obsessed with recent Of Montreal for months at a time and wonder whether I'm just a liar. Now another Athens band, The Lolligags, has forced me to revisit old assumptions. Their current EP on Happy Happy Birthday To Me (order here for $5) is just four tracks long, but I find myself wanting to play it repeatedly. Particularly in my favor lately is lead track "Wired Up" -- far too few songs have lyrics about obsession, insomnia, and throwing coffee mugs. Yes, please.

The Lolligags - Wired Up

The Lolligags make their live debut at Athens' Caledonia Lounge with Cars Can Be Blue and Velcro Stars on November 2. See their Myspace for more info.

Bonus mp3 files, courtesy HHBTM:

Cars Can Be Blue - I Used to Think
Velcro Stars - Brand New

Steve Rogers. Pimp.

They say that pimpin' ain't easy, but that's just because they're not Captain America and Falcon. For real, y'all.

From Captain America: Red, White, and Blue:

All this time it turns out the Red Skull's just a world class (Nazi) playa hater.

--------------------------------------------
Since it's sorta related (the song title, at least), I'll take this opportunity to post another darling track from Seattle indie pop project Your Heart Breaks.

Your Heart Breaks - Captain My Captain

Godspeed, Cap [NSFW].

Boris, Damon & Naomi, and Noot d'Noot in Georgia, 10/22-10/23

Next month, Japanese drone rockers Boris and Boston-based dream pop act Damon & Naomi will make their way to Georgia. They'll play a pair of dates at The EARL (10/22) and the 40 Watt Club (10/23). Supporting at these performances will be Atlanta electro-psych crunksters Noot d'Noot, an emerging and exciting local act that will soon release its first full-length.

Boris - Farewell
Damon & Naomi - The Mirror Phase
Noot d'Noot - Jose Tussin

Boris and Damon & Naomi's national tour begins September 30, and the dates can be found on Boris's website.

For an informative interview with Noot d'Noot, head over to Pine Magazine.

Your Heart Breaks - "Southern Girl"

Indie pop project Your Heart Breaks is a collective of musicians (including Karl Blau and other northwestern luminaries) based in Seattle, with an amorphous lineup and a sound incorporating pop, punk, and indie influences. While they have more than a half-dozen releases behind them, I'd like to highlight a simple one-minute track that they freely released a few years ago. It's from a self-titled cassette on MASA Records and celebrates a southern girl, the sort of behavior which is fully encouraged at C&T.

Your Heart Breaks - Southern Girl

"Wanderlust like kudzu vine"? Nice.

For more on Your Heart Breaks, see their Myspace.

The Peach State, Paris, and Do Make Say Think

Canadian (mostly) instrumental post-rock outfit Do Make Say Think are headed to Georgia next week, and I've been informed it's a show I am not permitted to miss. Never seen them live myself, but I was told that they won the night a while back when they shared the stage with Broken Social Scene in Atlanta. Of course opinions are like pieholes and all, but that seems one heck of a compliment. The Dixie leg of the tour:

9/18 Carrboro Arts Center, Carrboro, NC
9/19 Grey Eagle, Asheville, NC
9/20 Tremont Music Hall, Charlotte, NC
9/21 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA
9/22 The EARL, Atlanta, GA
9/23 Jack Rabbits, Jacksonville, FL
9/24 The Social, Orlando, FL
9/25 Common Grounds, Gainesville, FL
9/26 Club Downunder, Tallahassee, FL
9/27 Chelsea's Cafe, Baton Rouge, LA

The full set of tour dates is available at Southern Records.

-----------------------------------------------------
For a taste of the band in a live setting, here is an excellent recording of the recent Paris show, courtesy of the wonderful folks at the Live Music Archive:

Do Make Say Think
May 22, 2007
La Maroquinerie, Paris, France

01. (intro)
02. Outer Inner & Secret + Auberge le Mouton Noir
03. Reitschule
04. Herstory of Glory
05. Executioner Blues
06. Fredericia + The Landlord is Dead
07. A With Living
08. Horns of a Rabbit + The Universe
09. (intro) [NSFW]
10. A Tender History In Rust
11. Ontario Plates + In Mind

The taper reports that the set is truncated because he ran out of memory, but what's here is pretty damn nice. Impressive... most impressive.

Black Lips, Selmanaires, Coathangers at The Fabulous 40 Watt

Wednesday night (Sept. 12) here in Athens, the Black Lips and Selmanaires kicked off their tour at The Fabulous 40 Watt. As an added bonus, they brought a little girl power with them in the form of Atlanta buzz machine The Coathangers. It was a night for rock, sweat, and beer-fueled butt-shaking the likes of which I haven't enjoyed since leaving the Durty Durty.

I missed the beginning of The Coathangers while sipping a Terrapin Rye (mmm....) at Clocked, but showed up soon enough to see most of their set. The gals have amped up their stage show, seeming confident and almost professional -- something that I don't intend to be a slight. It's apparent that 8-10 months of playing out regularly has done them good, and it was certainly a step up since I last saw them in May (despite the lack of sugar cookies). I was surprised to hear tunes I didn't know, but was delighted to catch songs like "Parking Lot," "Nestle in My Boobies," and "Don't Touch My Shit" that have held up well. The set certainly motivated me to give their new record a fresh spin.

The Coathangers - Nestle in My Boobies [live 9-12-2007]
The Coathangers - Parking Lot [live 9-12-2007]
The Coathangers - Don't Touch My Shit [live 9-12-2007]

The night's middle set was actually that which I was most anticipating. The Selmanaires have become my Atlanta band of choice over the past couple years; their garage-tinged post-punk just kicks me in the pants every time I see them live. At the 40 Watt they showed off the current state of their evolution. Newest addition Mathis Hunter has been solidly incorporated into their older material, and provides second guitar and percussion on both those well-seasoned tracks and the newest additions to their catalog.

Even having seen the band umpteen times, the set seemed unique. Unfamiliar material, presumably from their forthcoming album, surely contributed to that. New disco-laced song "Night Beat"segued seamlessly into anthem "Selmanaire Rock" midway through the set, with older crowd favorites "In the Direction of Yes" and "GMAFB" also providing highlights. I sincerely hope that this tour with Black Lips introduces The Selmanaires to new and receptive ears, because they sure deserve it.

The Selmanaires - GMAFB [live 9-12-2007]
The Selmanaires - Night Beat -> Selmanaire Rock [live 9-12-2007]

Speaking of Black Lips, they closed the night with a typical set from the band -- loud, unpolished, and lots of fun. The boozy crowd enthusiastically sang along, pumped their fists, and danced. Luckily, the band didn't repeat its refusal to encore that irked some attendees of their last Athens performance. The highlights for me were probably the aforementioned "O Katrina!" (loe that bass line), "Dirty Hands," "Stranger," and "Buried Alive." The latter in particular had the roomful of kids howling.

Black Lips - O Katrina! [live 9-12-2007]
Black Lips - Dirty Hands [live 9-12-2007]
Black Lips - Fairy Stories [live 9-12-2007]

Quite the night out to be sure. Can't wait to see 'em all again.

The folks from Zig Zag Live were also in attendance (hi Taylor!), and will be blogging the tour's dates in Athens, Raleigh/Carrboro, Boston, and Brooklyn. The tour's remaining dates can be found on Myspace.

Band of Horses at Park Tavern, October 14

First I've heard of it, but apparently Band of Horses is playing at Atlanta's Park Tavern (10th & Monroe in Midtown) on October 14. Should be an intimate outdoor show, and that's hard to beat. They'll be on the road to support their forthcoming Cease to Begin, due October 9 from Sub Pop.

Band of Horses - Is There a Ghost? [from Cease to Begin]
Band of Horses - The Funeral [from Everything All the Time]
Band of Horses - The Great Salt Lake [from Everything All the Time]

The full tour slate, which begins in Atlanta, can be seen at Pitchfork.

The 1900s - "Georgia"

Because, for real, have you ever read this blog before?

The 1900s - Georgia

The 1900s are a buzz band that I've not spent much time getting to know, but any song with "Jump for joy, Georgia!" as its chorus will show up here eventually. Even if it's referring to some girly girl's name rather than the fourth state to join the Union (and later the fifth to secede from it).

Thanks to fellow Georgia-based blog Captain's Dead for the tip.

Bonus mp3: The 1900s - Bring the Good Boys Home
Bonuser mp3: Paul Hill - Sweet Georgia Brown [Pinkard/Casey]

Ani DiFranco coming to Atlanta, Nov. 13

Singer-songwriter, activist, and modern-day folk hero Ani DiFranco has just released a new career retrospective, Canon, and will be hitting the road this fall. Among her appearances will be a November 13 show at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta, for which tix are on sale now.

Ani DiFranco - Both Hands [new studio version, from Canon]
Ani DiFranco - Millennium Theater [from Reprieve]
Ani DiFranco - Two Little Girls [from Carnegie Hall 4.6.02]

The remaining tour dates are available on her Myspace page.

Tasty World tenth anniversary show, September 14

On Friday night, September 14, Athens venue Tasty World will celebrate its tenth anniversary. They'll have $2 Terrapin pints and a stacked lineup of bands, including a couple of interesting visitors from beyond Georgia's borders.

Heading the bill are Brooklyn-based indie rockers Stylofone and dance-pop act Tigercity. Atlanta's Morning State will also appear, as will Freeball and J. Roddy Walston and the Business. My pick to click is Tigercity, who sound like an updated mesh of old school Prince and Steely Dan. That, my friends, is an endorsement.

Stylofone - Loose Boots
Tigercity - Other Girls
Tigercity - Are You Sensation?
Morning State - Push the Color
Morning State - Must Go Up [acoustic]

Admission is a big fat $7, and the fun starts at 9:30.

Welcome to the Pee-Pee Lounge

This post is dedicated to Senator Larry Craig (R-Pervert).

Wasn't feeling much like a shutterbug at last night's Black Lips / Selmanaires / Coathangers blowout, but I did manage to take one delightful picture in the 40 Watt men's room:

Because, seriously, is that not awesome?

Review to follow. I want to edit some audio first.

Bonus mp3:
Everything - Mirror in the Bathroom [12-31-1998; English Beat cover]

Kaiser Chiefs cancel most of tour, ATL show

Just an FYI to the C&T readers who might care... the Kaiser Chiefs show at Atlanta's Roxy Theater on September 22 has been cancelled. They've scrapped the whole tour other than the New York and Austin dates, citing a need to focus on new material. D'oh. Here's the statement from drummer Nick Hodgson:

We’d like to apologize to fans in America and Canada, especially those who have already bought tickets, but something had to give. We’ve been extremely busy all year and had no time to focus on the future, we plan to have new material out as soon as possible and we’ve wanted to record all summer. This needs to happen before our European & UK shows at the end of the year so we can play a few of our new songs live, we’re keen to explore new ground, beyond the sound of our first two records, so we’re headed back into the studio to begin that process.

Appropriate bonus mp3: Kaiser Chiefs - I Predict a Riot

Titans of Filth - Feats of Strength EP

I recently picked up the current EP from Titans of Filth, Feats of Strength, and it has quickly worked its way into regular rotation. While the band's Best Behavior EP from last year was a good initial effort, this is a step up -- both the production and songs themselves indicate a band evolving in a positive direction.

The band is also to be credited for enlisting a couple of fellow Athens locals in the production -- Jason NeSmith of Casper & The Cookies produced and contributes guitar on one track, and Becky Brooks of Cars Can Be Blue (drummer Nate Mitchell's other project) sings on "Sympathetic Mind." It's a fine half-dozen tracks, and I'll be eager to see the band as it continues to evolve.

Titans of Filth - Swinging Lovers
Titans of Filth - Sympathetic Mind [with Becky Brooks]

Titans of Filth play the Caledonia Lounge in Athens on October 20. Their EP is available at Wuxtry Records or the usual outlets for digital downloads.

Final Fantasy ATL show and in-store, Nov. 6

As many ATL locals may be aware, indie violin god and cloud-pooer Final Fantasy will be at Atlanta's Drunken Unicorn with Cadence Weapon on November 6. As you may not know, before that show there will be a chance to see Final Fantasy in a much more intimate setting.

Earlier that evening Final Fantasy will do an in-store at Wordsmiths, Decatur's badass independent bookstore. I've never seen Final Fantasy in person, but have heard nothing but raves with regard to his live show. I imagine the little Wordsmiths stage will suit him well.

Final Fantasy - This Lamb Sells Condos [live]
Final Fantasy - This Modern Love [live; Bloc Party cover]

More tour dates are available courtesy of tomlab.

Tony Stark is a bad mother... (shut yo' mouth)

Excuse me while I geek out for a moment, would you?

I posted the bootleg Iron Man footage from Comic Con a while back (before it was pulled), but the real deal was released online today. Sweeeet.

Iron Man hits theaters in May 2008.

Best Friends Forever

I am such a sucker for charming, lo-fi indie pop. Luckily for yours truly, Minneapolis band Best Friends Forever offers it up in spades. They're fronted by a couple of fun and spunky gals (and longtime BFFs themselves) who like to sing about innocent love, dancing, and marrying Abraham Lincoln. Not sure what Mary Todd would think of that.

Best Friends Forever - Handpocket [live 89.3 The Current]
Best Friends Forever - My Head in Front of Your Head [live 89.3 The Current]
Best Friends Forever - The BFF Theme Song [from split 7" w/ Everybell]
Best Friends Forever - How BFF Breaks It Off With Movie Stars [from s/t EP]
Best Friends Forever - 2081 [from split cassette with Terrorclops]

They have just released a new record, Romance Conflict Adventure, that is available from No Idea Records (distro catalog) for only $4.75. I haven't heard it yet, but I just ordered mine.

Thanks to MinneapolisFuckingRocks for the songs from The Current. For more on the band, check out the interview they did with Thirsty Thursday.

Black Lips, Selmanaires, Coathangers at 40 Watt on Sept. 12

My work schedule hasn't allowed me to get out and see much music lately, but I'm going to do my best to make it to the the 40 Watt in Athens on Wednesday (9/12) when three Atlanta bands invade.

There will be buzz aplenty in the room when Black Lips, The Selmanaires, and The Coathangers take over the 40 Watt stage. It's the first night of the extensive Black Lips/Selmanaires tour, and the night before The Coathangers play their own CD release show over in Atlanta. We're so damn spoiled around here.

Black Lips - Not a Problem
Black Lips - Stranger
Black Lips - Katrina
The Selmanaires - Selmanaire Rock
The Selmanaires - In the Direction of Yes
The Selmanaires - Images
The Coathangers - Parking Lot
The Coathangers - Shut the Fuck Up
The Coathangers - Don't Touch My Shit

All three bands for a whopping $7. Can't beat that with a wire hanger.

Gogol Bordello in Atlanta, October 19

The Falconer sends word that the daytime hit of Bonnaroo, Gogol Bordello, are due back in Atlanta next month. Huzzah!

They are energetic, rambunctious, and out of control... they're like the gosh darn klezmer/gypsy Black Lips or something. I'll have to hit The Roxy on October 19 so they can blow my fragile little mind.

Gogol Bordello - Start Wearing Purple
Gogol Bordello - Troubled Friends [live]

For the remaining dates, see their Myspace. I can't stress enough how great these guys are live.

Lip-synching locals and the glory of Hall & Oates

UGA beating OSU was big, but this is a huge victory for Athens.

OnlineAthens.com reports that locals Corie Dickherber and Sam Paulsen (the latter a member of We Versus the Shark, incidentally) have won a lip-synch video contest conducted by Hall & Oates. Yep, the Hall & Oates. Their winning performance of "Head Above Water" won them a trip to see the band at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles this weekend. Here's their victorious effort, in all its glory:

Here's hoping John Oates doesn't effing kill them. Congrats!

John Hodgman, Georgia expert

For those who are unaware, John Hodgman is an expert. He's the resident expert on The Daily Show, and his 2005 book The Areas of My Expertise is a fine collection of enlightening information (false or otherwise). Within that text he devotes several pages to detailed descriptions of the 51 (yep, 51) American states -- one of which, of course, is the Great State of Georgia:

And now we're all a little smarter.

Bonus mp3: Anya Marina - Georgia on My Mind [live 10-15-2005]

Rewind: Revisiting 'Coffee and Cigarettes'

The 2003 Jim Jarmusch film Coffee and Cigarettes remains, to this day, one of the most maddenly uneven flicks I've seen in years. That said, upon rewatching it this week I realized I still can't turn away while it's on. The awkward moments, the deadpan humor, the bizarre interactions... where else will you see RZA and GZA hang out with Bill Murray, or Jack and Meg White discuss the merits of Nikola Tesla? The most captivating 10 minutes, however, is probably the unlikely pairing of Iggy Pop and Tom Waits. Talk about uncomfortable...

Random trivia: Although Coffee and Cigarettes was released in 2003, the Iggy Pop-Tom Waits segment was filmed in 1992 (source: IMDB).

New LP from Warm in the Wake

Last week Decatur, Georgia, indie folk/pop act Warm in the Wake unleashed their newest release, American Prehistoric. I've only given it a couple spins so far, but it strikes me as an enjoyable exercise in rootsy pop. Some tunes bounce with whimsical piano and harmonica riffs, while others ride along on big hooks not unlike some of The Me Decade's finest power pop. If you were a fan of Gold Dust Trail (as I was/am), I doubt you'll be disappointed.

You can listen to the entirety of American Prehistoric online, or download a couple tracks here:

Warm in the Wake - American Prehistoric
Warm in the Wake - Devil with a Fist

The album is available from Livewire Recordings, as is their EP.

Fellow lovers of live music should note they are on tour now, and will be responsible for much van abuse through the fall:

9/05 Mohawk, Austin, TX
9/06 Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
9/07 The Cavern, Dallas, TX
9/08 Jack’s Patio Bar, San Antonio, TX
9/12 Hotel Cafe, Los Angeles, CA
9/14 TBA, San Francisco, CA
9/15 Old Ironsides, Sacramento, CA
9/16 Towne Lounge, Portland, OR
9/18 High Dive, Seattle, WA
9/19 Badlander, Missoula, MT
9/21 Coal Creek Coffee Company, Laramie, WY
9/23 Duffys Tavern, Lincoln, NE
9/26 The Record Bar, Kansas City, MO
10/02 The Basement, Nashville, TN
10/11 Clermont Lounge, Atlanta, GA (with Pistolero)
10/13 Fall For Greenville Festival, Greenville, SC
10/16 Outback Lodge, Charlottesville, VA
10/22 The Annex, New York, NY
10/24 "Indie at The Abbey", Harrisburg, PA
10/26 The Evening Muse, Charlotte, North Carolina
11/09 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA
12/01 Preservation Pub, Knoxville, TN

Clermont Lounge? Tee-hee.

Okkervil River w/ Damien Jurado at 40 Watt, October 3

Okkervil River are on tour throughout the fall, including an October 3 date at the 40 Watt in Athens. Damien Jurado opens. Okkervil River will be supporting their new record, The Stage Names, which was released on August 8.

Okkervil River - Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe
Okkervil River - Black
Okkervil River - No Key, No Plan
Damien Jurado - White Center
Damien Jurado - Pink Moon [Nick Drake cover; via Spin.com]

Tickets to the 40 Watt show are available online. The remainder of the tour dates are available on their Myspace.

Quiet Hooves

One Athens band that really deserves some C&T love is Quiet Hooves. They were featured by the Flagpole back in April, and came highly recommended by Athens locals. I don't know if word of their existence has yet trickled beyond north Georgia, but it darn well should.

Quiet Hooves are the sort of band that this town seems to foster like few others -- they're quirky, poppy, entertaining, and energetic. Perhaps a bit sloppy too, but in manner that I find charming rather than cringe-worthy. Certainly a rookie outfit to keep an eye on.

Quiet Hooves - Buried
Quiet Hooves - Your Troubles

See their Myspace for more info. I don't believe they have anything for sale yet, but I understand recording is underway. If you can shed some light on that in the comments, please do.

Bon Iver

When I've been asked about new artists lately, one of the first names to escape my lips has been that of Bon Iver. Fronted by Justin Vernon, Wisconsin-based Bon Iver's emotive and lush indie folk is reminiscent of artists like M. Ward, Horse Feathers, or a sedate Devendra Banhart. Their For Emma, Forever Ago is often lush and atmospheric, but avoids the trap of monotony that often taints the singer-songwriter genre. It's certainly one hell of a debut.

"Skinny Love" is a wonderful slow jam for the segue into autumn, with an irresistible sing-along chorus. I posted it on C&T without much comment a month ago, so if you missed it then it may be time to hop on the bandwagon.

Bon Iver - Skinny Love
Bon Iver - For Emma

For more on the band or to buy their wares, hit their Myspace.