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Watchlist vol. 2: The Love Language (MP3)

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In 2009, The Love Language released their brilliant self-titled debut. It went largely overlooked.

I take some pleasure in loving an under-appreciated band — a secret treasure that you don’t want to share, for fear that its meaning might be taken away from you. They’re bands that teeter on the edge of obscurity, armed with great songs that beg to be heard, and for at least a little while, they’re yours alone. But you know that the day will come when everyone gets wise and flocks to them too.

And there’s nothing you can do about it.

On the other hand, how can these bands get their deserved adoration if I keep them to myself? Continue reading →

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Review: The Silent Comedy; January 17, 2010; Bar Pink, San Diego

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Few bands in San Diego inspire the kind of rabid devotion that The Silent Comedy enjoy. From their Prohibition-era wardrobes and Old West mustaches to lead singer/bassist J. John’s manic ramblings, the band have struck upon a winning combination of musical chops and good-natured theatricality that has earned them a passionate following. Celebrating their return to San Diego at Bar Pink after a brief but hectic West Coast tour, The Silent Comedy were greeted by a characteristically packed house. And, from the raucous opening song “Poison” onward, the band had the crowd exactly where they wanted them. Continue reading →

reviews

Review: Bear In Heaven; January 16th, 2010; Brillobox, Pittsburgh

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The Bear In Heaven show at Brillobox sold out far in advance.

Granted, Brillobox isn’t exactly Madison Square Garden, but selling out the show was an undeniable feat for this Brooklyn band whose fan base has only slowly grown for the past few years.

Earning Pitchfork’s coveted Best New Music tag didn’t hurt, and Bear In Heaven certainly deserve the award. Their newest album, Beast Rest Forth Mouth, pulsates from song to song, and when it veers into ambient electronic territory, it can sound quite brooding. Going into the show, I felt a sense of great promise, and their brand of electro-psychedelic kraut rock is music to my ears.

At the Brillobox, I soon discovered the full breadth of their ability: Bear In Heaven—in addition to sounding great on record—can also create a sonic landscape that totally surrounds the show-goer. Continue reading →

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Poetic Memory: Boomsnake (List)

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Gabriel Rodriguez of San Diego’s Boomsnake initially met our Poetic Memory request with skepticism. In his own words, “I naturally become enthralled or influenced by the artist more than a record…I like becoming immersed in the creator: to view the world from their perspective, whatever it may be.” He adds, “The major influences of my life are probably those of most music listeners. Yes, I delve deep into the obscure, but those are not ‘life’ influences.”

For Rodriguez, though, the bottom line is this: “I enjoy music. All forms of music. If you put on ‘Thriller’ at a party, I’ll be dancing; ‘War Pigs’ at the bar, I’ll be drinking happily; ‘Sex in the Kitchen’ while making out, I’ll get freaky.”

Rodriguez’s list chronicles records that “strike the very being of the listener; records that play as if they were written for you.” His Poetic Memory is below. Continue reading →

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Blood Red Shoes Get Fired Up (Video)

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Rock and roll has seen its share of great duos in recent years—The White Stripes and The Kills being among the best—but no other band attacks the senses with as much raw power as Steven Ansell and Laura-Mary Carter, better known as Blood Red Shoes. The Brighton, England group’s 2008 debut, Box of Secrets, was a cherry bomb of a record that dripped with raw, dangerous sexuality. The fast and furious album’s bloody hooks and visceral appeal landed it a spot on Owl&Bear’s world-renowned Best of 2008 list, and we’ve been waiting anxiously for its follow-up.

But now the wait is over. Out on March 10 through V2 Records, Fire Like This contains ten highly combustible tracks from the band. Those eager for a sampling of the album can go to the band’s official website, where they’re streaming a new track every week until its release. “Light It Up”, “Colours Fade”, and live favorite “Keeping It Close” had previously been posted to the site, and the band just today added the red-hot “Heartsink”, which the group describes as “a pop song that we tried to destroy from the inside out”. Those inclined to join the band’s newsletter will be rewarded with a free download of “Colours Fade”. Continue reading →

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