Album Review: LCD Soundsystem "This is Happening"

So I promised album reviews, and I have failed thus far at that aspect of this blog. I thought it would be appropriate for the first album review to be of LCD Soundsystem's newest album, This is Happening, because I did hate on them in my recap of the Pitchfork lineup (Yes, I realize this album leaked and the official release date isn't until May 18. But, the tracks are on LCD's Web site and I've had the album for quite some time, so... there it is).

I am ashamed of that post in which I spoke not necessarily poorly of LCD, but I was definitely not as stoked about them as I should've been. Unfortunately, this album makes me want to run far away from my family reunion and attend the Pitchfork Music Festival, but alas, I don't have the money anyway.

Alright, I'm going to do this my own way. I have a harder time writing album reviews for legit publications because I have sort of a rubric I need to follow, and if there's something you should know about my writing, I hate rubrics.

This album is very LCD typical. Heavy beats, weird percussion, a mess of vocals -- and I just want to go to a flash rave and dance to these tracks immediately (well, not all of them, but majority, at least). I have a feeling that "Drunk Girls" will be the pop-classic, with lyrics that describe a variety of situations involving very drunk girls, and boys, which they repeat over and over throughout the song. I can hear this already at hipster-esque parties in basements with strobe lights and skinny jeans.

"Dance Yrself Clean" is my favorite. For sure. Of course they had to misspell one of the words to make themselves more "alt" but whatever, it's a great track. It's the opening track for the album, following LCD's trend of lengthy tracks at 8:58, and starts off slow, and eases into a heavier beat and more of a dance track. I love the transitions that LCD is able to always pull off seamlessly, especially in this track.

"All I Want" is one of their first singles, but it's nothing too noteworthy, I don't think. It's good, but too sing-songy. Too melodic. "One Touch" is definitely the track for those rolling and losing their minds in some random club, with bizarre vocals and echoing voices. Interesting, but a little too LCD-weird for me.

Oh, and "Pow Pow"... Not so good. Just weird.

Listen: LCD Soundsystem -- All I Want (from Pitchfork)

The Dogs.

It's about time for the obligatory, here-are-my-friends-who-have-a-band post. I went to high school with these boys, and their band is actually legitimately good. I wouldn't be saying that if it weren't true, too.

The Dogs are a band of like 10 people, but really just consist of James Krivchenia, Matt Bachman, Pete Walters and Rivkah Gevinson. They're an indie-alternative-rock type, I don't really know how to explain them, but go to their blog and listen to some of their songs. You can even download their newest album for free. And if you like them, vote for them at The Chicago Deli as the new Chicago artists of the month.

DO IT.

Pitcfork Music Festival 2010

Pitchfork just announced more acts at it's annual music festival in Chicago, Union Park, July 16-18. I went last year, and it was a nice change of pace from Lollapalooza. Exponentially more Hipster, but that's another story altogether. (Whole Foods is one of the sponsors. Organic food, chain smoking, wheat beer and plaid are everywhere).

BUT the main angst in this post is going to center around the fact that I CANNOT GO THIS YEAR. My family reunion is the same weekend, and although I would usually miss it, my aunt isn't doing well and I need to go to be with her.

So, instead, I need to live vicariously through someone. Anyone. Buy tickets.The three-day passes sold out in like a week, but you can still buy one-days. Here is the lineup (with my intelligent commentary, of course). Get the full lineup, here.

Friday:
Modest Mouse and Broken Social Scene are both playing on Friday. Granted, I've seen both of them in concert, (Modest Mouse more than once,) but they're just amazing bands.


Watch: Broken Social Scene -- 7/4 Shoreline


Saturday:
LCD Soundsystem, Raekwon, Free Energy, jj and Wolf Parade are all playing. I'm most upset about missing Wolf Parade, although I know that's ridiculous because LCD is legendary. I saw Wolf Parade in concert like two years ago, and they just had so much energy. 

Watch: Wolf Parade -- I'll Believe in Anything

Free Energy is a band I got into a couple of months ago after I got their single, "Free Energy" for free somewhere. I don't remember where, to be honest. It happens frequently. 

jj is a reallllly low-key band. I'm not that into them, just because none of their songs really catch me, but they're talented. I should spend more time with their CD, but I feel like they'd do cool things live.


Sunday:
Pavement. Everyone is losing it over Pavement's reunion after disappearing for 10 years, but I'm not, really. I feel like an awful music person for saying that, but, I just don't get it as much as I should, I guess. They'd be fun live, though.


Download: Pavement (four songs. It's from a blog I found that has a ton of more heavy indie music, freeindie.com, coincidentally. Not easy to forget).


Sunday is the best day. St. Vincent, Beach House, Girls, Surfer Blood, Local Natives... gahhh so many amazing acts. I'm seeing Local Natives in May, so I'm not really too distraught, but I'm upset about Beach House. I hear they put on an amaziing show. I've acquired like six tracks from various free sites, but here's my favorite for you.

Download: Beach House -- Walk in the Park

Passion Pit Concert Review: Friday, April 2

PASSION PIT.

An epic band. If you have not yet gotten into them yet, there is something wrong with you. They're a bit more upbeat, electronic-y, but there's no possible way to listen to this band without dancing. And, unlike MGMT, (who was awful live), this pop-electronic band was amazing. Like I said before, I saw them at Lollapalooza last August, and although that crowd was more into the show (because crowds at Lollapalooza always are,) they were still great.

Again, I'm going to be all angst-ridden and obnoxious, but I was upset with the venue they played in. I saw them at Congress Theater in Chicago, and while that's a smaller venue for Chicago (while still holding 4,000 people) there were just too many people to create the optimum mosh pit for dancing. It's was a tad upsetting.

They played a lot from their newest album, Manners, but still played stuff from Chunk of Change. Most people have heard "Sleepyhead," and you need to if you haven't, so I'll add a link at the end of this post. "Moths Wings," and "Little Secrets" got the crowd pretty hyped up, but my favorite track by far is "The Reeling." It was just a ridiculous display of wonderful music. I don't really know how else to describe it. Awesome show. Very pleased with my Friday night.

Download: Passion Pit -- Sleepyhead

Spoon Concert Review: Thursday, April 1

Spoon was pretty amazing.

I feel like an old woman, but I was a little upset that they played mostly their newest album. I just haven't gotten into Transference as much yet, but that's my own fault. "The Mystery Zone" and "Written in Reverse" are their obvious catchy hits that I enjoyed live, but I love "Who Makes Your Money" and "Trouble Comes Running." They remind me more of the unique sound of some of their older stuff, like "Paper Tiger" and "The Ghost of You Lingers" (so similar to "Who Makes Your Money").

The band sounded spot-on, but missed that extra oomph that some bands are good at bringing to live shows. They played a good variety though, and their show lasted about two hours, which was impressive. Britt Daniel told us before about 50 different songs that they were only playing one more track, and then after all of that they had a 5-song encore. They played my favorite, "The Beast and Dragon Adored," so I didn't have many concerns.

They told us that we were the best audience they have had, and although I usually believe that's a load of bull, we were pretty amazing. At the end of the concert, Daniel came down and shook everyone's hands that were lined up against the gate (mine being one of them). I love it when bands are actually humble, and at least pretend like every fan counts. I'd love to party with them. And, in case anyone was wondering, the band's drink of choice is MGD.

Just a comment, not about the band, but of the concert. I miss small venues in little Columbia, MO. Spoon played a sold-out show at the Aragon Ballroom, and its capacity 4,500. It was ridiculous. There are places in the theater where there's no way you can see the band from that far back. I miss The Blue Note, where no matter what you'll at least see the band. I also hate crowds. The amount of people there Thursday night was just a tad ridiculous. Never thought I'd say this, but I miss seeing shows in Missouri. Love Chicago, but its concerts are lacking a bit.

Download: Spoon -- The Mystery Zone

Lollapalooza 2010.

Let's talk about how much Lollapalooza likes to f with me and all of the regular attendees. Every year they place a few of my favorite bands at the same time, at completely opposite ends of Grant Park (last year Passion Pit played at the same time as Cold War Kids, TV on the Radio and Animal Collective, then the worst: Peter Bjorn and John, The Decemberists, Andrew Bird AND Of Montreal...)

But this year they've take it to a whole new level. They announced the lineup early. How nice of them, right? Take a look...

You try to decipher that. Now, I'm just going to spend all of my free time attempting to solve Lollapalooza's riddle... how fun. Apparently, Soundgarden, Green Day, The xx (!), Lady Gaga (???), Arcade Fire, Phoenix, The National, The New Pornographers and Gogol Bordello are all pretty much confirmed (at least those are some of the bigger ones/the ones I'm most excited about, anyway).

Now, go don't buy tickets. I'm somehow attempting to scrounge up $200, and the more people that buy tickets, the higher the prices get... So be nice, and wait until I find the money.

I love Lollapalooza season. Once tickets go on sale it's like the longest countdown to the best weekend of my life, but definitely worth it. This'll be my... sixth? year, and even though every year I end up missing about 10 bands that I want to see, just going to a three-day festival, boozing and listening to great music... there isn't anything better. I should've saved that rant until after I bought tickets, but whatever, not enough people read this to sell out tickets, anyway :)

Upcoming Concerts

The Spoon concert last night was awesome. I believe it was my fifth (?) time seeing them in the past five years, and they still put on a great show. And they still wear the same clothing for every concert, but that's a different topic altogether.

 My sister has my camera, so a review and pictures will follow once I steal that back.

Passion Pit tonight! I saw them at Lollapalooza last August, and it was one of the best shows I saw all weekend. They're playing at Congress Theatre in Chicago, which is a smaller venue, so hopefully I'll get up in the action of the pit. I'm stoked.

So that you can realize how jealous you are of me before the concert even begins,

Watch: Passion Pit -- The Reeling. From Lollapalooza 2009. I'm a little ahead and on the right of this person... And, this person needs to realize that jumping while filming is not a good idea, although it does add a little proof of the insanity that was this concert.