Hallelujah, thank God that I'm blind!

The Love Language didn't let me down at the Local 506 Drug Horse Cartel Show (12/11/09). I hadn't heard them live before and was curious to see how they'd be sans lo-fi aesthetics. And they were just as good, if not better. The static and fuzz of their debut album, which was the result of frontman Stuart McLamb's solo, 4-track recording sesh, isn't what defines The Love Language. The beautifully embittered lyrics and lingering melodies create a sound that's good on its own, and that's what makes a good band--music that doesn't rely on technique. That, and intense tambourine shaking.

They only played four songs (amidst other amazing local bands), opening with a Tom Petty holiday classic. But those 20 minutes were, hands down, the highlight of the show. Specifically, the debut of "Heart to Tell Her," which I give two thumbs way up. McLamb elegantly belts out simple declarations like "some fools rush in/some fools just wait" and you wonder why it hasn't been said before. His personal love stories speak a universal truth, and that's why they are timeless.

They're also potentially addictive. I'm embarassed to say (so I won't) how many times I've blasted the album from start to finish in my car with all the windows down. I strongly suggest it. Really looking foward to their next album, to be released sometime next year on Merge Records.

"Christmas All Over Again"





Also, if you're in town, don't miss The Love Language with Violet Vectors and the Lovely Lovelies and The Dirty Little Heaters on New Year's Eve at the Local 506. Tickets are still on sale for $8 on Etix. Can't think of a better way to ring in the New Year.

Let's get keytarded

Canadian duo Woodhands opened for Junior Boys at Cat's Cradle (10/29/09). They have definite potential and they put on an energetic show, but nothing really sets them apart from other electronic-indie music. Scratch that, there was one thing--Dan Werb plays a really sweet keytar.

While Woodhands can easily be classified into the "electro-pop" genre, Junior Boys transcends any electronic music classification with their unprecedented style. Jeremy Greenspan breathes lyrics into the microphone, making them barely audible over the array of synthesizers and percussion. Pair that with R&B sounds and smooth synthlines and the result is a perfect blend of elegant, groovy melodies.

They played the popular and more uptempo "In the Morning" and a couple of songs from their latest album, Begone Dull Care (2009) which are also a bit more upbeat than previous albums. Could be a result of their inspiration? Junior Boys say Norman McLaren's short film Begone Dull Care (1949) influenced the album as a whole. It's a visual music animated film set to Oscar Peterson's jazz music, with animation painted and scratched directly onto the film. I found it quite enjoyable. Take a look:

Budweiser Sprite, do you feel alright?

Real Estate brought beachy, easy-going indie rock to the Local 506 earlier this month. All that was missing was sunny weather and the ocean. Actually, I'm pretty sure it was monsooning that night in Chapel Hill. Regardless of the weather, they put on a great show, playing songs about good summer times and growing up in surburbia. And although their self-titled debut album was released just in time for the wrong season (November this year), it's a perfect reminder of all the great memories of summers past, which have already gotten me through some cold wintery days. So actually, it was released just in time.

Real Estate's drummer, Etienne Duguay, was nice enough to answer a couple questions after the show:

What's your favorite band?

ED: Probably a three-way tie between Steely Dan, Prefab Sprout and Sade.

What's behind the name...why "Real Estate"?

ED: It's almost a three-way band name. One, because many members of the band were involved in real estate at the conception of the moniker. Also, many of the songs are based around a suburbian theme, and Martin writes about where we grew up in suburbia. And thirdly, at the conception of the band it was the beginning of our current economic recession, which happened mostly because of real estate, mortgage, yada yada... I don't really keep up with that stuff.

What's your goal in life?

ED: I have many goals. But my most important goal is to be happy in a social and artistic sense. I'm trying to find that state of happiness or some kind of spiritual nirvana. I'm actually a relatively spiritual person. But I'd like to find that sense of spiritual security, which is hard to find in this modern world we live in...but I won't get into all that right now. And then, I'd like to eventually find someone to marry, have kids...but that's a couple years away.

One last question...Edward or Jacob?

ED: I don't know what that means. What does that mean?

So magical. Unmatchable. Spectacular. Unbreakable.

I think I had at least 7 eargasms at this show. Maybe some eyegasms, too.

Pretty Lights took me on a complete audio/visual experience through musical decades at Cat's Cradle (11/17/09). Colorado's Derek Vincent Smith mixes up anything from old-school rap to classic rock to new-age, futuristic beats that flow flawlessly.

I think my favorite touch is the subtle and distorted Led Zeppelin clip at the end of "Hot Like Sauce." And the light show--neon moving lights and lasers--just took it to a whole new level. Smith also tossed in a few surprises. His rendition of "Paper Planes" got everyone in the Cradle tossing up their glow-stick laden hands while Cory Eberhard provided the live beats.

Filling up the Cradle Skies: Check.

Download all five albums here. Pick your price.

Musical Geniusry

Maps & Atlases opened for Ra Ra Riot at Cat's Cradle (9/30/09). But it should have been the other way around. Of course I love Ra Ra Riot--no one does upbeat and somber at the same time like them. And Alexandra Lawn basically making love to her cello on stage is definitely a plus (may or may not have a girl crush). But Chicago's Maps & Atlases blew them away.

The band has come a long way since Trees, Swallows, Houses (2006). Their songs have experimented with complex rhythms, and in previous albums, they throw a lot of different ideas around. But in their recent album, You and Me and the Mountain (2008), these ideas have developed into a more cohesive and together sound that just... works. And so did lead singer David Davison's unruly facial hair at Cat's Cradle. (Wish I snapped a pic of that, but all I got was Ra Ra Riot's Wes Miles, above). I'm still puzzled as to where the sound was coming from and how it made it through his beard to the mic. But it made it. And oh, how it made it. I can only describe their music one way: pure. musical. geniusry.

It's been a good year for music in Chapel Hill/Carrboro. And an even better one's just around the corner. Not only do amazing musicians come from all over to perform here, but we have some pretty incredible bands that have blossomed right here in good 'ole North Carolina. I'm amazed when I think of all the bands that have developed in the past few years, and even more amazed at the diversity and range in the types of music.
Now, more than ever before, at the beginning of my last semester in college and possibly my last months in Chapel Hill, I'm going to take full advantage of my location. So here is the beginning of musical literary comment and review. Enjoy.