Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream

I hadn’t heard of math-rock supergroup, Battles, until I was getting the Pitchfork rundown from various people. When a good friend of mine, who I never agree with on music, said Battles played an “okay” set I knew I had to check them out. I picked up Mirrored, the band’s first full length album with Warp Records (Aphex Twin, !!!, Squarepusher, Grizzly Bear) the next day and haven’t stopped listening to it since. Former Helmet drummer John Stainer delivers heavy hitting rock fusion grooves which lay under guitar riffs that, as NME says, “twist like acupuncture needles jabbed right into your pleasure receptors.” Mirrored doesn’t rest on any one musical idea long enough for you to get bored, offering everything from gradually layered funk riffs that sit comfortably in the pocket, to quick-moving guitar licks that escape via musical Tourette’s (see “Race:out”). Battles are extremely talented and, more importantly, are in tune to each other, always focusing on the complete track rather than trying to highlight individual talents while the rest of the band does very little (which is what plagues many other progressive rock and jam-oriented bands).

If you’re in the D.C. / Baltimore area, you’re in luck: Battles are playing with Deerhunter and Singer this Saturday at the Ottobar.

Check out their myspace for more tour dates, including lots overseas. Watch their single, “Atlas”

The Show: Playing a make-up show at Baltimore’s The Ottobar, Voxtrot, who admitted being tired from a trip to Pitchfork Festival (as fans, not performers), headlined a show with three other solid Baltimore acts, Two if By Sea, The Heavycoats, and The Jennifers.

The Pros: The best song of the night was a new one; an explosion of energy and freshness that wasn’t quite there in the rest of the set. The song was super catchy and had a well executed tempo change and guitar solo. The Ottobar, which has really stepped up the quality of bands it books (getting increasingly less cookie-cutter hard rock / metal bands that plague so many venues of its size), is a fantastic place to catch a show. It’s a bit out of the way, unless you live in Baltimore, but it’s just the right size and even has a parking lot! Some acts of note this summer include: Mooney Suzuki, Deer Hunter, Battles, Singer (ex 90 Day Men / US Maple–I need to check them out), Pelican and the Detroit Cobras.

The Cons: Voxtrot works better when the crowd has just as much energy as the band and is fully engaged. There were definitely a good amount of devoted fans but still, there were too many folded arms and passive observers. While the band certainly was well-rehearsed, they need to keep gaining performance experience to add a little more showmanship and to do a better job keeping the audience engaged in between songs. Their overall sound was clean and pure, opting for tone and balance over loudness and abrasiveness. This said, what they lacked was enough dynamic contrast and variety in their musical gestures. Their sound was too contained, but they proved with a new song and an oldie, “Your Biggest Fan,” that they have the ability to give a shock and awe performance.

The Verdict: Playing a great mix of old songs (including “Your Biggest Fan” and “Raised by Wolves”–the encore), songs from their most recent self -titled release (most notably “Brother in Conflict” and “Every Day”), and an incredible new song, Voxtrot was a refreshing way to spend a Tuesday evening. It’s nice to watch bands that are just thrilled to be delivering their music on stage and don’t seem disgruntled with the pangs of a being musicians. Though the set was on the short side (not necessarily a decision of Voxtrot’s), it was delivered with ease and charisma. Certainly one of the best up and coming bands and a great live act.

Report Card

The Setlist: B

The Crowd: C

The Vocals: B+

The Instruments: B

Final Grade: B

Listen to Voxtrot’s “Raised by Wolves”

I wanted to create a “party” mix that could be enjoyed by all breeds of partiers; whether you’re the guy wearing an “I got tanked in Cabo” t-shirt, who still loves those Third Eye Blind classics, or if you’re a hipster who’s already tired of the third full-length Arcade Fire album (send me a copy of that, by the way). So fire up the grill, tap the keg, or do whatever it is you do when you want to let loose and crank this mix of new, old, and classic tunes.

Track Listing:

1. Shout Out Out Out – “Self Loathing Rulz”
2. Girl Talk – “Bounce That”
3. Outkast – “B.O.B”
4. Sponge – “Go Speed Racer Go”
5. Of Montreal – “Suffer for Fashion”
6. Bon Jovi – “Livin’ on a Prayer”
7. Kool Keith – “Get off my Elevator”
8. Journey – “City of Angels”
9. The Darkness – “Friday Night”
10. Bloc Party – “Hunting for Witches”

Get it.

It’s nice to see a Ryan video that is lighthearted–this one is sure to bring some authentic laughs and teach you some moves to try out on the dance floor this summer. Unfortunately I can’t embed the video so you will have to head over to youtube to watch it. Just click the link, it’s worth it!

Don’t have much time today so I thought I would post a remix of The Cribs’ tune “Men’s Needs.” While I do like The Cribs, I mostly wanted to feature them because they are taking the White Rabbits on tour this summer. 

I’ve really been into a collection of LCD Soundsystem remixes, especially since I’ve finally hooked up my Klipsch promedia speakers after relying solely on laptop sound due to a few weeks of moving.

- Check out their most recent single (remixed), the comical “North American Scum”

You can check out a full collection of Sound of Silver remixes here.

Buy Sound of Silver.

During the month of June we brought you live tracks each day…okay, we missed a couple days toward the end of the month but who’s really keeping score anyway? The rest of the summer will consist of some week-long features. This week, 7/9-7/13, we will be throwin’ remixed track(s) at you everyday, culminating in the CSV “Ultimate Summer Party Mix” coming at you on Friday.

To kick this week off, check out the chilled out Dunphy remix of Voxtrot’s “Mothers, Sisters, Wives and Daughters” (4.75/5)–I can’t get enough of this band this summer.

As an added bonus here is a remixed version of “Killer Parties” (4.85/5) by The Hold Steady

A varied selection of artists, from Lily Allen to P. Diddy, performed a memorial concert for the late Princess Diana last Sunday at London’s brand new Wembley Stadium. The event even included Tom Jones (apparently a favorite of Diana) covering the Arctic Monkeys’ “I bet you look good the dance floor.” — have a listen.

1. Voxtrot: “Firecracker” – One of the best–certainly one of the catchiest–songs on their most recent self-titled release. It takes a minute to really get going, but then it’s nothing by fireworks until the end. Check out the CSV post on Voxtrot. Plus, head over to their website for summer tour dates–I’ll be at the Baltimore show.

2. Ryan Adams: “Firecracker” – Some upbeat, harmonica-clad, Ryan to celebrate the day with: “well everybody wants to go forever / I just wanna burn up hard and bright / I just wanna be your firecracker / And maybe be your baby tonight.” Check out the recent CSV review for Easy Tiger, and the 5 worst Ryan Adams songs.

3. Cold War Kid: “Indoor Fireworks” – An Elvis Costello cover and a dern good one. Plus, we get a friendly safety disclaimer: “Indoor fireworks can still burn your fingers…they’ll bring a tear when the smoke gets in your eyes.” Be safe this ‘fourth! Check out this site to get three free live tracks recorded in Amsterdam.

4. Weezer: “Holiday” – Bet you didn’t see this one coming! Enjoy your holiday and one of Weezer’s last good songs. Cheers!

We have Athlete (the band) and now Athlete (the man). Alan Webb is a US track star who my brother actually went to high school with at South Lakes High School in Reston, Virginia. I wanted to post a video of a recent Alan Webb victory in the men’s mile. Even non-runners will enjoy this video–it has an amazing ending. Plus, it’s short: 3:52.93, a meet record. Enjoy!