Mark Sultan on playing to unfamiliar audiences:
“In places like Cambodia, you go in there and they have no idea what you’re doing. There may be five people there or 50, but they have no idea what that sound is. By the time you’re done, maybe you’ve got one hooked. That’s how this works. One person at a time, just like a disease.”
One year ago on this fine day around this fine time, I was getting pumped to go see The King Khan & BBQ Show at the Middle East Downstairs! I would be in for treat. A treat that may not come again for a while.
Footage of “Invisible Girl” From That Show:
Band: Weezer
Release: 11/2010
Label: Geffen Records
1. “Tuning Up the Radio” – A
2. “I Don’t Want Your Loving” – A
3. “Blowin’ My Stack” – A
4. “Losing My Mind” – A
5. “Everyone” – A-
6. “I’m A Robot” – B
7. “Trampoline” – B+
8. “Odd Couple” – A-
9. “Autopilot” – B+
10. “Unbreak My Heart” – B-
Comments: Word. I think generally fans of early Weezer (TBA and Pinkerton) will think favorably of this release. This record (as a whole) is certainly edgier than “Beverly Hills” and the like. Death is old material encompassing a fairly vast variety of rock genres with 2010 production quality and aesthetics. There is some straight up power-pop, a little oldies/lighter pop, pop-punk, and some grunge. The first four tracks are absolute gems. The rest of the album is very good, but doesn’t quite have the passion (for lack of a better word) that is present on the first four tunes. The “Unbreak” cover borders on average. So maybe this is Weezer’s third best album ever?
Grade: B+ (89)
Warning: these are relatively old. They first posted “Short Fuse” on their site in April, but recently uploaded “I’ll Be With You” and “Lock and Key.”
Check them out: http://www.fuel.tv/music/
Band: Tyvek
Release: 11/2010
Label: In The Red Records
1. “4312” – B
2. “Animal” – B-
3. “Potato” – C
4. “Future Junk” – B-
5. “Nothing Fits” – C
6. “Outer Limits” – C-
7. “Underwater 1” – B
8. “Underwater 2” – B
9. “Kid Tut” – C
10. “Pricks In A Car” – C+
11. “This One – That One” – C-
Comments: Every time I see “Tyvek” I think of Tyvek! The problem is I’ve never listened to any material from the band Tyvek…until now. Obviously, I was expecting some sort of lo-fi garage/punk/pop. In The Red has a reputation for releasing that kind of stuff. Listening to this, for me anyway, is like listening to St. Dad or the Homostupids. Tyvek is better, but they’ve got too much noise and screaming. My little ears can not really handle it. At their lightest (“Underwater 1”), they are like a hardcore Cheap Time. At their heaviest, they are like your average ’80s D.C area high school hardcore punk band.
Grade: C+ (78)
John C. Calhoun!
He is awarded this honor due to his commitment to nullification. Screw national law! Of course, his brand of nullification meant that slavery could be permitted in individual states and so forth, but generally he had a decent idea in mind. Keep in mind, I liked Alexander Hamilton before I actually read his work. Now, I know, Calhoun > Hamilton.
Description: A band from the United Kingdom that plays fun rock and roll.
Sounds Like: Lo-fi surf pop
Top Songs:
– “Stay!”
– “She Don’t Surf”
– “Sugar Water”
– “I’m In Love With You (So STFU)!”
Myspace Link: http://www.myspace.com/sexbeet
If you want to start your day off right, listen to this song. It’s fun and wild.
Band: Kurt Vile
Release: 11/2010
Label: Matador Records
1. “In My Time” – B+
2. “Sad Ghost” – B+
3. “Early Dawnin” – B
Comments: This is Vile’s second release of 2010. The first was Square Shells EP, a small collection of mellow tunes. “In My Time” is soft and pretty catchy. It’s not among Vile’s best tunes, but it fits right in line with what he’s done. Same goes for “Sad Ghost” and “Early Dawnin.” Vile is a great musician and a chill fit for most occasions. If you are looking for light acoustics and generally light instrumentation all around, try this out.
Grade: B (86)
Band: The Fresh & Onlys
Release: 10/2010
Label: In The Red
1. “Summer of Love” – B+
2. “Waterfall” – A-
3. “Until the End of Time” – B
4. “Tropical Island Sweet” – B+
5. “All Shook Up” – A-
6. “Be My Hooker” – B-
7. “Fascinated” – B+
8. “Plague of Frogs” – B-
9. “Who Needs a Man” – B
10. “Red Light Green Light” – C+
11. “I’m A Thief” – B
Comments: Initially, I’m feeling like I did the first few times I listened to Album. The music itself is fairly pop-sensible, but on the weird side of things. Play It Strange reminds me of The Shins at their most upbeat. Unfortunately, for me, I’m not feeling the psychedelia. This is too creepy of an album. Listening to this is like watching an old Western. There are some fascinating parts, but most of it is like Congratulations minus the pop factor. They are a good fit as opener for MGMT.
Grade: B (85)
