Review: Metric; June 7, 2009 at FM 94/9 Independence Jam; Oceanside
Despite boasting a roster that overlaps with that of Broken Social Scene, Canadian quartet Metric have spent the last decade amassing a dedicated but modestly-sized fan base. Their previous albums have garnered plenty of critical acclaim but little airplay, and their new release Fantasies made it to #76 on the Billboard Top 200 but stopped short of making the band an indie-household name. And so it was that Metric, buried beneath headlining acts The Black Keys and Yeah Yeah Yeahs at the FM 94/9 Independence Jam, proceeded to blow both of those bands away. (more…)
The Cribs Won’t Be Ignored
Hey scenesters! Post-punk sibling act The Cribs have formally announced the impending release of their fourth album, titled Ignore The Ignorant. The album marks their first release since adding a guitarist by the name of Johnny Marr to their ranks, and was produced and mixed by Nick Launay of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Arcade Fire, and Nick Cave fame.
Set for release through Wichita Recordings on September 7th, the album will be available in limited edition CD/DVD, CD, download, and sweet sweet vinyl format. For the impatient, the band will also be releasing a single for the new song “Cheat On Me” on August 30th.
We’ve got a track list for you after the jump, as well as the hilariously NSFW video for “Men’s Needs” off their endlessly listenable 2007 album Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever, which proves the group is capable of ignoring way more than just the ignorant. (more…)
Review: Yeah Yeah Yeahs; June 7, 2009 at FM 94/9 Independence Jam; Oceanside
The Black Keys may have been the technical headliners of FM 94/9’s Independence Jam, but as the sun began to set and Yeah Yeah Yeahs were welcomed to the stage, the throng of maniacal tweens made it clear that nobody was there for the blues. Having spent the last six years teetering between indie and mainstream success, a hero’s welcome is likely nothing new for the band, and as frontwoman/force of nature Karen O wrapped a spiky-gloved hand around her microphone, nothing stood between her and the hysterical crowd’s expectations. (more…)
Metric – Sick Muse
With its upbeat charm and infectious chorus, “Sick Muse” is probably the best song on Metric’s new album Fantasies, and now there’s a video for it. If you have half as much fun watching it as the band did making it, you’ll still be having twice as much fun as you should today. Also, if you didn’t get tickets to see Metric with Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The Blacks Keys at the sold out FM 94/9 Independence Jam next week, don’t worry, because your friendly neighborhood Owl&Bear news team will be there to cover the happenings for you. Now, now, there’s no need to thank us.
Grand Ole Party Tour with Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Since taking the city by storm with their debut release, 2007’s Humanimals, San Diego dance-funk band Grand Ole Party has kept plenty busy. They’ve played back-to-back sold out shows at the Casbah, thrilling audiences with their syncopated sass. Lead singer Kristin Gundred started her own label, Zoo Music, and signed bands like Crocodiles and Dum Dum Girls. The band has also been hard at work in the studio, recording their eagerly awaited follow-up to Humanimals.
But since nothing is ever enough for you people, the band hasn’t stopped there. The trio has lined up a Midwest tour where they’ll be opening up for a little band called Yeah Yeah Yeahs. You may have heard of them. (more…)
Metric Declare Their Independence
Metric are having a good year. The Canadian quartet recently released the excellent Fantasies, their first album in four years, which adds new layers to their dark, angular rock and roll. They’re also set to blow audiences away at the FM 94/9 Independence Jam on June 7th, alongside Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Black Keys, and local acts Dirty Sweet, Scarlet Symphony, the Creepy Creeps, and Apes of Wrath.
As if that weren’t enough, the band has lent their new song “Help, I’m Alive” to fellow countryman Deco Dawson for his new short film of the same name. The frequent collaborator of auteur Guy Maddin, Dawson is renowned for infusing films with his unique visual style, and Help, I’m Alive is no exception. Utilizing concert footage of Metric performing the hit single, he turns it into what the band describes as “Yo Gabba Gabba on acid”.
You can watch Help, I’m Alive after the jump and, since we’re pretty sure it’ll be stuck in your head for a while anyway, we’ve got a remix of the song by The Twelves for you too. (more…)
