The Arctic Monkeys and The Black Keys

The Black Keys are currently touring the country (and parts of Canada), opened by the Arctic Monkeys. I've had the chance to see them twice on this tour; once here in Cincinnati and the second time with my mom in Cleveland. Both bands put on an incredible show; which is impressive considering it's a bit of firsts for both of them. This is The Black Keys first headlining arena tour and the Arctic Monkeys first arena tour, at least in the US (they have done an arena tour in the UK).

Perhaps fresher is better. I had a great time at both shows and the pictures to prove it!

First, my up-close pictures from Cincinnati.

I spent most of the first set trying to figure out what "H.Y.F.R." stood for. It's apparently a reference to a Drake song.

He's got that rock star swagger!

I didn't realize I was getting a picture of this guy's butt; just wanted a shot of Patrick Carney's awesome drum set!

Oh, how I love this man...

Don't worry, Dan, I love you, too!

Encore!

Next, my Cleveland pictures...a show enjoyed with my lovely mother.

Hi Mom!

His swagger is evident even from this far away!

I loved the videos playing behind the band!

My favorite shot of the night.

Another great shot...encore!

Until next time, Cleveland!

Mini setlist:

Arctic Monkeys - "R U Mine?"

Arctic Monkeys - "Still Take You Home"

The Black Keys - "Gold on the Ceiling"

The Black Keys - "Girl Is on My Mind"

Dum Dum Girls - "Coming Down"

Goodness people! I didn't like her ensemble either, but isn't that extreme? Actually, this new video from the Dum Dum Girls is an homage to a 1965 performance piece by Yoko Ono, "Cut Piece." Like here, Ono invited people to cut swatches off of a black dress until it was in shreds, though Dee Dee ends up far more clothed that Ono was at the end of hers!



The song is taken from the band's most recent album, Only in Dreams, released last year.

Pariah

Last week's movie night movie was the buzz-generating Pariah, starring newcomer Adepero Oduye and more established, though mostly known for comedy, Kim Wayans.

The movie tells the story of Alike, a teenager struggling with her gay identity in a less-than-accepting family. She has to deal with a mother in denial of her sexuality who constantly tries to get her to dress girlier and buys her clothes. Her father is more understanding, but sees it as just a phase. The only person truly understanding is her best friend Laura, also gay, who exposes Alike to the underground gay and lesbian clubs in her Brooklyn neighborhood. Alike's mother, however, disapproves of the friendship and discourages her daughter from spending time with Laura. She forces Alike to spend time with a coworker's daughter, which throws Alike into a tailspin when she falls for the girl.



The movie was such an indication, to me at least, that so many actors and performers deserve more attention than Hollywood seems willing to give them. Something that I found similar to Precious was the unexpected use of actors. A relative newcomer (Gabourey Sidibe in Precious) in the main role and a performer better known for comedy (Mo'Nique in Precious) in a supporting role. In all cases, these actresses seem more willing to do what so many in Hollywood will not, be less than glamorous. I hope that Oduye is better able to make a move towards other great films than Sidibe, who doesn't seem to have done much to build on a promising start.

Mini soundtrack:

Daisha - "Top Blow"

Sparlha Swa - "Doin' My Thing"

Gossip - "Fire with Fire" (movie version was performed by Tamar-Kali)

New Music Tuesday - 03/27/2012

Belle & Sebastian - Late Night Tales 2

The latest installment in the Late Night Tales series, which includes songs curated by a selected artist, is the second from this band. They released their first collection for the project in 2006. These albums are always a good glimpse into the music that a particular band is influenced by or that they love. Looks like Belle & Sebastian are now digging Toro Y Moi, Broadcast and The Pop Group.
"Crash" (Primitives cover)

Electric Flower Group - EP II

The second EP from the side project of Imaad Wasif, solo artist and formerly of alaska!. In this project, he collaborates with Josh Garza of Secret Machines. This may easily be one of his most praised projects, earning an artist to watch at SXSW article from Rolling Stone and one of the 25 winter albums to hear from Spin!
"Eclipsed"

La Sera - Sees the Light

This is a pretty decent year for past and current members of the Vivian Girls. Former member Frankie Rose released an incredible sophomore album just a few weeks ago and now current member Katy Goodman, who performs under the name "La Sera." This is also her second album, the first, a self-titled release, was out last year. Katy doesn't stray far from the sound of her main act, but loses some of the noise edge that the group has in favor of a more pop-oriented sound.
"Real Boy"/"Drive On"

Miike Snow - Happy to You

Miike Snow is a electric pop trio made up of three men not named Mike or Snow. Despite the utterly confusing name, they do make good music. They first caught my ear with a collaboration with Lykke Li, "Black Tin Box," and have held it with even more great songs!
"The Wave"

Morissey - Viva Hate re-issue

I have never really been able to get as into Morrissey's solo work as I am into The Smiths, but his work always closely resembled his group work. Viva Hate was his first solo record, released in 1988 and making many references to the recently broken-up Smiths. The man is still an active recording artist, releasing his most recent solo record, Years of Refusal, about three years ago.
"Ordinary Boys"

Poor Moon - Illusion

This band is made up of members of the Fleet Foxes. One member, J. Tillman, had left the band in January, but the two members here, Christian Wargo and Casey Wescott are still performing with Robin Pecknold. They've taken on a much different sound than the Fleet Foxes' pastoral folk, with '60s-inspired guitars reminiscent of the Zombies!
"People in Her Mind"

Rocketjuice and the Moon - Rocketjuice and the Moon

This is Damon Albarn's second project release of the year (the first being a Gorillaz collaboration with Andre 3000 and James Murphy for Converse). He still has new material from Blur and a solo release slated for this year. This project is a collaboration (he likes to work with other people, I guess) with Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Afrobeat drummer Fela Kuti. Such a busy man should be burnt out by now, but it looks like he is just gonna keep going.
"Hey Shooter" (featuring Erykah Badu)

Spiritualized - "Hey Jane"

Very NSFW, but an incredible music video. This one follows a day in the life of a transgender waitress and prostitute. It's a fascinating video and the song is incredible! Where the coda of the song meets up with the video is maybe one of my favorite things ever.



Spiritualized is set to release a new album, Sweet Heart Sweet Light on April 17.

New Music Tuesday - March 20, 2012

Ben Browning - Lover Motion

Browning is the bassist for Cut Copy, who released an incredible album, Zonoscope, last year. This EP represents his first outing as a solo artist. While there are obvious connections to the music that he makes with his band, primarily the electronic element, the songs I've heard from him seem a little more down to earth, less sprawling and epic. Bassists are usually the easiest to ignore, so it's good to see one step out and really make a name for himself.
Watch: "I Can't Stay"

Daniel Rossen - Silent Hour/Golden Mile EP

Another member of a band, this time Grizzly Bear, branching out on his own. Grizzly Bear's last album was released almost three years ago and I guess Rossen was getting a little antsy, so he released his own EP during the downtime. Also, his first EP, though not the first solo album for a member of his band (Chris Taylor released one last year as CANT). The music here is more personal, which is likely why the solo approach was taken, and takes a more stripped-down approach than his work with his group.
Watch: "Saint Nothing"

Ladyhawke - Anxiety

I really don't know how I heard of her, but I liked the light, irrelevant lyrics and deep-throated vocals. What I've heard so far seems to be more mature, but no less a good listen. The artist is a Kiwi (from New Zealand) and still doesn't seem to have hit her stride among US listeners (though she may not be trying); I hope that she finds an inroad into this market, because I think I would really like to see her live!
Watch: "Black and White and Blue"

Lee Ranaldo - Between the Times and the Tides

Another artist breaking out from the shadow of his band. Lee Ranaldo has been a member of Sonic Youth since the beginning, thirty years! Following the divorce of members Thurston Moore Kim Gordon, the band is in a state of indefinite hiatus, though. Fortunately, this has given Ranaldo the time to focus on his own solo material. It's not his first solo record, though he has mentioned the unique opportunity that the timing of the band's hiatus allows him, so perhaps we'll see much more in the short-term (depending on the future of the Sonic Youth, of course)!
Watch: "Off the Wall"

Margot and the Nuclear So and So's - Rot Gut, Domestic

Indy represent! That's right, this band hails from my beloved home state of Indiana. That's maybe 50% of why I love them, the other being their amazing music, of course! Dark and moody...the perfect music to represent the sometimes gloomy Hoosier state.
Watch: "Shannon"

The Shins - Port of Morrow

They're back!!! It's been five years since their previous album, Wincing the Night Away. I probably shouldn't really say "they," though; James Mercer, the frontman and primary songwriter, is the only remaining member of the old lineup. It's practically a completely new band, with a different sound to go along with it. Despite this, this has still been one of the most anticipated albums of the year and manages to live up to expectations. The sound's a bit different, but the music is still great!
Watch: "Simple Song"

Tanlines - Mixed Emotions

This band has been a "thing" for about four years and the members have already been heavily involved in the broader music scene for awhile. Despite all that, this is actually their first full-length release. Taking on an experimental, pop-influenced sound, they've made sure the debut is well worth the wait!
Watch: "All of Me"

The War on Drugs - "Brothers"

This is easily one of the most interesting and well-produced videos I've seen this year. It follows a young woman in some sort of sadistic life-or-death game with an elderly psychopath with a rifle. She attempts to mount an escape while he sleeps, getting pretty far in removing her restraints. He wakes up, though, and it again becomes a fight for her life.



I would love to see this as a full-length film, it's an incredible story.