Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream

Straight out of Liverpool comes Candie Payne, who delivers surprisingly solid and incredibly catchy lo-fi indie pop. On her debut album I Wish I Could Have Loved You More, she flirts with a doo-wop sound here and there (see “Hey Goodbye”), but she also dabbles in some more eclectic rhythms (see “One More Chance”). Comparisons can be made to an upbeat version of Feist, or even a toned-down version of St. Vincent, but really Payne is simply borrowing the best of her own music influences. After several listens to her debut, I now see the coherence in the record–it’s subtle but unlike most “fusion” artists, she manages to pull it off in a dynamic way. The songs are not redundant or humdrum, nor are there any weak links on the album. If indeed this album is Payne’s figurative exploratory committee, she’s got my vote. Just sign me up and give me a friggin’ banner already.

Do yourself a favor and go and get I Wish I Could Have Loved You More.
Listen to “One More Chance” (4.9/5)
Listen to “All I Need To Hear” (4.7/5)

When ra ra riot took the stage at Washington D.C.’s Rock ‘N Roll Hotel Tuesday night opening for Tokyo Police Club, they didn’t seem like they should be opening for anybody. While the youthful six-piece outfit includes electric cello and violin they have a powerful, edgy rock sound. On stage they seem like that family taking up the large booth at Ruby Tuesdays that gets along too well. They share (instruments), exchange smiles, and even tussle each other’s hair (no joke). Yes, the stage at the RNR Hotel seemed a bit two small for any energetic 6-piece, but ra ra’s sound seemed just too big for the venue. They out-played the headliners, who seemed tired and lacked variety, delivering an aggressive set with no filler. With just one official release, a six-track ep that will leave you wanting more, ra ra riot are a band you should be keeping tabs on starting now.

“Can you tell” is a bass-driven soliloquy, beautifully meshed with violin and keyboards. “A Manner to Act” showcases the band’s ability to juxtapose heavy rock riffs with dancing string parts. Lead singer Wesley Miles, too, is subtle at times, holding nothing back by the end of the track.

Listen to “Can you tell” (4.9/5)
Listen to “A manner to act” (4.8/5)

Photos taken by Alex

Folk crooner Martin Sexton’s newest release Seeds shows Sexton’s pop sensibilities haven’t dulled a bit since his first record in ‘96. The musical arrangements are lush and voluminous but they avoid the over-production that often occurs when an experienced singer/songwriter steps into the studio. Not to mention the “mouthwash” vocals of Sexton that have made him so affable–that is, his smoothness lingers in your head long after the record has been played out. With the album title connoting a going-back-to-the-roots approach, Sexton really draws upon the experience and the musical prowess he’s garnered throughout his somewhat illustrious career to bring forth a carefully constructed album that is sure to delight both the young and old.

Go and get yourself a copy of Seeds.
Listen to “Happy” (4.9/5)
Listen to “There Go I” (4.6/5)

Usually I’m skeptical of artists putting fewer than 10 songs on album–can you even call it an album at that point? But as prolific and talented as Josh Rouse is, I only have praise for Rouse’s newly released Country Mouse, City House (July 31st). The 9-track showcase has Rouse doing what he does best–playing understated pop tunes that will induce a whole lot of foot tapping and sing-along-ing (go with it). From the higher-charged “Nice to Fit In” to the organ-filled “Pilgrim” to the bass-trippy “Hollywood Bassplayer”, Rouse exudes a form of confident vulnerability–that is, he isn’t quite afraid to express his own insecurities in his songs. Even in concert, Rouse still retains a boyishness that makes him all the more affable, as he jumps from one song to the next in his now large catalogue of deliciuosly sweet, 70s-pop-rock tracks.

12-12.50

I decided to check out all three of the bands performing during this block. I started at Fountains of Wayne, who were nothing remarkable. Solely radio designed pop songs. While fun, they did nothing to keep me watching.

Shout Out Out Out Out, featured in the Dance Tent, put on a highly energetic concert (especially for so early in the day). The entire tent was full of dance-crazy concertgoers enjoying the electronically enhanced music of the Canadian indie group.

I only caught one song of Fiction Plane, who is currently touring with The Police. Though it was short, it was awfully good – a nice performance of their song “Cold Water Symmetry”.

1.20-2.10

Coming into the weekend, one of the band’s I was most excited about seeing was Scottish natives The Fratellis. Though only having one full-length album and three EPs to work with, the band put on an energetic performance that left the crowd bopping their heads and yearning for more. Among highlights, was their performance of “Flathead” aka “The iPod song”, and a rocking version “Chelsea Dagger” to finish off the set.

2.30-4

Deciding to bypass Amy Winehouse, I stuck around to see another fellow Scottish native, Paolo Nutini. At just 20 years of age, it quickly became obvious that Paolo has a lot of growing to do. Perhaps it was a problem with the vocals, but Nutini’s voice wasn’t all that strong during the performance. His performance of “New Shoes”, however, was quite good.

Incubus generated an energetic crowd, but nothing about their performance was spectacular. It was essentially what you expected to hear – beefed up versions of hits like “Meglomaniac” and “Quicksand”, along with some of the other familiar tunes mixed in.

4-4.50

Peter Bjorn and John gave what I thought was the best performance of the festival. The band was energetic, excited to be there, and in turn, the crowd reacted with unbelievable excitement. Their performances of “Young Folks”, “Amsterdam”, and “Paris 2004″ left the crowd in a PB+J frenzy. An extended rendition of “Up Against the Wall”, with an eloquent guitar solo, generated an even greater response. Though Peter complained about the heat – eventually resulting in him shedding his suit jacket – the band rocked out on “Detects on My Affection” as a finale.

6.15-6.35

Playing nearly half their set on instruments, The Beastie Boys pleased the crowd with the likes of “Sabrosa” and old hardcore punk favorites like “Egg Raid on Mojo”. On the rap front, “Sure Shot”, “Super Disco Breakin’” and “Brass Monkey” were all highlights. The encore showcased the remarkable spinning of Mix Master Mike and an all-instrumental version of “Sabatoge”. The ‘Boys also had the most enthusiastic crowd of the weekend. Bravo!

8-10

I chose to see Modest Mouse over The Police which, unfortunately, was a reminder to bank on experience and sex appeal when making the “who to watch” decision at festivals. Sound problems and a less than energetic Issac Brock left the paltry crowd with a weak performance. Seeing newcomer Johnny Marr was certainly a treat, as were the performances of “Tiny City Made of Ashes” and “Doin’ the Cockroach”. However, the band did come on late, leaving little more than a hour for them to play. It was an okay set but certainly not the best way to end the evening.

Thanks to Alex for the fantastic Virgin Festival recap

The festival at a glance…

This year’s Virgin Festival, presented by Virgin Mobile (just so we’re clear this wasn’t a 50,000+ gathering of virgins…more like 49,000 virgins), has come and gone. Two days filled with hours of music, sweltering hot temperatures, and the stench of human sweat from Pimlico Race Track in Baltimore, Maryland.

Best Overall Performances

1. Peter Bjorn and John
2. Beastie Boys
3. Interpol
4. LCD Soundsystem
5. Yeah Yeah Yeahs / Velvet Revolver

Most Disappointing Performances

1. Modest Mouse
2. Spoon

Most Energy on Stage

1. Yeah Yeah Yeahs
2. Peter Bjorn and John
3. The Fratellis
4. Beastie Boys
5. Girl Talk

Exceeded Expectations

1. Peter Bjorn and John
2. Velvet Revolver
3. Regina Spektor
4. Shout Out Out Out Out

Best Crowds

1. Interpol
2. Velvet Revolver
3. 311
4. Beastie Boys
5. Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Worst Crowds

1. Paolo Nutini
2. Panic! At the Disco
3. TV on the Radio
4. CSS
5. Peter Bjorn and John

Best Set Lists

1. Peter Bjorn and John
2. Beastie Boys
3. Interpol
4. Spoon
5. 311

Bands I Wish I Would Have Seen More Of

1. CSS
2. Velvet Revolver
3. Explosions in the Sky
4. TV on the Radio
5. Paolo Nutini

What are your lists looking like? Stay tuned for day-by-day photos and recaps.

Virgin Festival coverage by Alex

For fans of Coldplay who want an edgier sound, Air Traffic comes to the surface with their full length debut Fractured Life. Loaded with catchy drum loops, infectiously delicious guitar hooks, and dripping with power chord piano, Fractured Life is a near first masterpiece. The production quality is at a high, emphasizing the band’s impeccable timing and skill as musicians. Highlights on the album are “Shooting Star” which exudes a palpable energy that lasts throughout the album, along with the neat-rhythymed “No More Running Away”.
Be sure to go out and get Fractured Life.

Listen to “Charlotte” (4.6/5)
Watch “Shooting Star” (4.8/5)