Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks

Acoustic, raw and beautiful...

New music

Let's kick this off with a cool video for the alternate version of "Terrible Love." I dig the way it's shot and edited and think the end does a pretty good job of capturing the energy of The National in concert (without actually being there, of course).

• The National, "Wake Up Your Saints," High Violet expanded editions (out now), Troubled Souls Unite
• The Low Anthem, "Ghost Woman Blues," Smart Flesh (Feb 22nd), TwentyFourBit
• PJ Harvey, "Written on the Forehead," Let England Shake (Feb 14th), The Sky Report
• Noah and the Whale, "Wild Thing," Last Night on Earth (March 2011), TwentyFourBit
• The Dears, "Blood," Degeneration Street (Feb 15th), Quick Before It Melts
  

New music

• My Morning Jacket, "Circuital," TBD, You Ain't No Picasso
• Klaxons, "Echoes" and "Flashover," Surfing the Void (Aug 23rd), Stereogum
  
• The National, "You Were a Kindness," Live on MPR's the Current
  

The National - Electric Factory (6/4/10)

Even under less than ideal conditions, the National still impressed in concert. It wasn't an easy night though...

• Traffic - The combination of it being a Friday afternoon with both the Flyers and Phillies having home games made the traffic in Philly pretty much miserable.
• Venue - My first time at this venue, which is basically a warehouse. Those who want to enjoy a show with an adult beverage in hand are limited to the upstairs (with very few views of the stage) or the right-side of the stage downstairs (with sub-par acoustics). Not sure if that's by design or because of some silly ABC law, but it doesn't make a lot of sense to herd those willing to hand over more of their $$ into two undesirable areas of the venue.
  
• Crowd - Somehow, we ended up surrounded by a bunch of ass hats who were more interested in boozing and talking than the concert itself. Essentially, they paid a $25-35 cover to get into the Electric Factory bar with the National providing the background music. Another reason to refrain from the over-21 areas next time.

Enough of being Debbie Downer. The band was much more engaging (with each other and the crowd) than the other times I've seen them. Singer Matt Berninger puts so much of himself into some songs that he looks like he's on the verge of a full-blown seizure - I honestly don't know how he does it on a nightly basis and is still sane. The setlist was a solid 22 songs - I believe all but one ("Cherry Tree") being from Alligator, Boxer or High Violet. It looked like "Fake Empire" was supposed to close the main set, but Berninger called an audible of sorts as the rest of the band was putting down their instruments and they instead closed with "Mr. November." I'd assume that this was meant to be their encore closer, because "About Today" ended the show kinda awkwardly.

All things considered it was a good night of music (with the Flyers and Phils chalking up W's to boot). LBJ scored a pair of free tickets to the Saturday show in a radio station raffle too, which by his account was a more pleasurable experience than Friday. Oh well, you can't with them all...

New music

• Stream the National's High Violet (May 11th), the Dead Weather's Sea of Cowards (May 11th) and Flying Lotus' Cosmogramma (out now) on NPR
  
• Tokyo Police Club, "Wait Up (Boots of Danger)," Champ (Jun 8th), MFR
• Wolf Parade, "What Did My Lover Say? (It Always Had to Go This Way)" and "Ghost Pressure," Expo 86 (Jun 29th), Tympanogram
• Pains of Being Pure at Heart, "Say No to Love," Say No to Love 7" (Jun 8th), Pfork

New music

• The National, full album stream of High Violet (May 11th), Brooklyn Vegan
• The New Pornographers, full album stream of Together (May 4th), NPR
  
• Junip, "Rope and Summit," EP title and date TBD, Their Bated Breath
• M.I.A, "Born Free," (video is NOT safe for work due to violence) LP title and date TBD, MOKB
• The Dead Weather, "Gasoline," Sea of Cowards (May 11th), Stereogum
  

New music

• The National, "Afraid of Everyone," High Violet (May 10th), Pfork
• Band of Horses, "Laredo," Infinite Arms (May 18th), Pfork
• Deer Tick, "Twenty Miles," Black Dirt Sessions (Jun 8th)

New music (UPDATED)

• The National, "Bloodbuzz Ohio," High Violet (May 11th), Pfork
• Beck, St. Vincent, Liars, and Os Mutantes, “Guns in the Sky" (INXS cover), Record Club (Beck’s cover album series, Record Club), TwentyFourBit
• The Gaslight Anthem, "American Slang," American Slang (Jun 15th), TwentyFourBit
• Phoenix, free download of Live in Sydney, Ultra8201
• MGMT, full stream of Congratulations (Apr 13th), Product Shop NYC
• LCD Soundsystem, "Drunk Girls," untiled as of now (May 18th), Pfork
  

New music - The National

"Terrible Love" from High Violet (May 11th)

New music

• The National, "Ashamed of the Story I Told" (Polaris cover), Ciao My Shining Star: The Songs of Mark Mulcahy (Sept 29th), P-fork
• Thom Yorke, "All for the Best" (Miracle Legion cover), same album, Stereogum
• Artic Monkeys, "Crying Lightning," Humbug (Aug 25th), Ultra8201
• Yim Yames (aka MMJ's Jim James), "Long, Long, Long," Tribute to (Geroge Harrison tribute out now digitally, Aug 4th hard-copy), Ultra8201
• Spoon, "Got Nuffin," Got Nuffin EP (out now), Ultra8201
  

The price is right... especially when it's free

As the summer approached and various festivals were releasing details on their 2009 editions, rumors were surrounding the Virgin Mobile Festival - mainly whether or not it was even going to happen. Well it's happening on Saturday, August 30th, but with a few changes...

• IT'S FREE!!!!
• It will be held at Merriweather Post Pavilion (instead of Pimlico Race Course, where it had been since the festival started in '06)
• It will only be a one-day event
• IT'S FREE!!!!

That's right kids, it's free. Hell, even Ticketbastard is waving their infamous convenience charge if you pick up the tickets at Will Call. While it's not required, Virgin Mobile is asking attendees to donate $5 to youth homelessness through RE*Generation.

I don't think anyone would've been surprised if Virgin Mobile half-assed the booking. But I have to hand it to them, the line-up is pretty solid... Franz Ferdinand, Weezer, the National, the Hold Steady, St. Vincent and Girl Talk to name a few. And a dance tent to boot - count me in!

Tickets were made available this past Saturday and surprise surprise, they "sold" out fairly quickly. Soon after, posts started appearing on Craiglist - those looking to sell the free tickets AND others offering $$ (and other things) for extra tickets. Gotta love it.

For those of you who were unable to get tickets (like myself) you can certainly go the Craigslist/eBay route. Another option is to try back after the 28th. Those who ordered tickets and selected the Will Call option must pick-up their tickets between Aug 21-28. Unclaimed tickets will be released to the public after that.

The National - 9:30 Club (5/25/09)

It seems like the National has been touring for over three years without many breaks. While I’m loving it because it’s given me the opportunity to see them three times, it has to take its toll on the band. They were initially scheduled at the 9:30 for two shows over as many nights, but after both shows sold out in no time, they added a late show to the first night. I had a ticket to see them on the second night… would they have anything left in the tank by the time they got to their third show in two days?

Silly me for questioning these guys. Accompanied by a three-piece horns section and keyboardist, they ripped through all parts of their catalog for over an hour and a half. Lead singer, Matt Berninger was even more engaging with the crowd than I remembered. They even broke out a few new songs - "Vanderlylle," "Blood Buzz" and kicked the night off with "Runaway" (see below - thanks to I am Fuel). It's hard to describe the intensity and sincerity they bring to their shows... it's just something you have to experience.

New music

• Stream Wilco (the Album), out Jun 30th, Metro D
• White Rabbits, "Percussion Gun," It's Frightening (May 19th), I am Fuel
• The National, "England" and "Vanderlylle Cry Baby," from the Dark Was the Night Benefit Show via I am Fuel
• stellastar*, "Graffiti Eyes" and "Warchild," Civilized (July 7th), Ultra8201

Hooray Friday!

- This definitely warrants the top spot this week. Listen to the new TV on the Radio track "Golden Age" off of their upcoming release Dear Science (Sep 23rd) on the band's website. Thanks to Metro D for the heads up.

- Get ready for a superfecta from I am fuel...

1. fun is Nate Ruess' (former Format lead man) new band and "Benson and Hedges" is their demo. Take a gander.
2. Sounds like Wilco is looking eyeing the spring of '09 to release their new album, which I couldn't be happier about. Over the past few weeks, they've been testing the waters with two new songs: "One Wing" and "Sunny Feeling."
3. More new stuff, this time from the National apparently titled ""A Thousand Black Cities."
4. I am not a big Smashing Pumpkins fan, but understand that I am in the minority here. Flashback to 1997 when they played the Bridge School Benefit.

- Even more new music, this one from Bloc Party's latest Intimacy (digital - now, CD - Oct 27th) entitled "Trojan Horse." Thanks to Ultra 8201 for the K.

- And the last bit of new music news, could this be a new song from Radiohead that they performed during soundcheck recently?? You Ain't No Picasso has us scratching our noggins.

Hooray Friday (a day late)!

- Zach De La Rocha (from Rage fame) and ex-The Mars Volta drummer Jon Theodore are coming together as One Day as a Lion and releasing an EP on July 21st. Thanks to Metro D for the heads-up.

- If you're looking for more music sites, hit this up for the 100 most addictive ones. Thanks to Largehearted Boy.

- Philly's own Dr. Dog is releasing their new effort, Fate on July 22nd. Check out two new tracks on MOKB.

- Same blog different band. Listen to a few new diddies from Takka Takka off of Migration, out July 29th.

- Elliott Smith fans can listen/download a July 4th concert from 2000 on I am fuel.

- Glastonbury 2008 videos are up. Links courtesy of Ultra 8201.

- If you're looking for a Radiohead fix, check out A.V. Club for an interview with Thom Yorke and Ed O'Brien.

- A double-shot of the National from Sixeyes. The first with half of their 2007 ACL set and and second with the other half plus and interview with Matt Berninger.

- The Black Keys performed "Strange Times" on WRNR and The Music Slut has the action.

Hooray Friday!

Sorry for the late post, but I got sucker punched at the bar last night. Okay, I had no plans to do this last night anyway, but I figured I'd use the black eye and split lip I'm now sporting to my advantage.

- My Morning Jacket covered The Velvet Underground's "Head Held High" at SXSW and An Aquarium Drunkard has the video.

- Feist and The Constantines got together and gave us their take on the "Islands in the Stream". I'll be honest, I'm not a big fan. But it's a free country - take a listen for yourself at I am fuel.

- Eddie Vedder, you tease! Everyone knows he's going to be great live... including him. So he only schedules seven dates. And doesn't even venture away from the West Coast. But thanks to I am fuel, you can stream/download his Berkely concert and read a detailed review.

- Three times a charm for I am fuel. Tracks and a review from the Springsteen concert in San Jose.

- I am fuel had a busy week. The National covered the Boss' "Mansion of the Hill". Yes please.

- Speaking of the National, A Skin, A Night is their DVD to be released on May 20th. Ultra 8201 teases us with the trailer.

- NPR's All Songs Considered previews the upcoming releases. And from the looks and sounds of it, it's going to be a good Spring.

- Check out Tapes 'n Tapes performing "Hang Them All" on Conan this week. I need to dig into Walk It Off statim. Only 2 weeks until their concert at the 9:30 Club - hells yeah!

- Vote for the greatest rock 'n roll band ever. Cool concept, poor execution. NME has taken on task, but it's too time consuming. How many bands are there to rank? When I was asked to rate Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band, I called it quits.

Hooray Friday!

Rapid fire again this week. It's my last day before I start a new job and I want to close up shop and get outta here ASAP.

- News on the National DVD and EP out in May. Thanks to Metro D.

- Same band different blog. I think I may have posted this before but if not, Aquarium Drunkard has White Sessions from the National's visit to France in 2007.

- Hot Chip covers Snoop Dogg's "Sensual Seduction" and MOKB is on the case.

- M. Ward demos are available on I am fuel.

- Check out Tokyo Police Club's video for "Tessellate" of of theri new album Elephant Shell on Ultra8201.

- If you're interested in trying your hand at remixing, iTunes has different stems of Radiohead's "Nude" available. Thanks to Metro D again.

Hooray Friday!

- Amplive's Rainydayz Remixes has Radiohead remixes from In Rainbows available for download. Thanks to Jude for the shot of K.

- The National has released a four song live EP, Rhapsody Rocks NYC. Want to take a stab where you can get it? You guessed it Einstein - Rhapsody. P-fork provided the info.

- Have a listen to "Hang Them All" from Tapes 'n Tapes' upcoming album, Walk It Off out April 8th. I saw it first on MOKB, but saw it on numerous other blogs as well. They kick off their North American tour a few days after the release.

- Same blog, different post. Kate Nash covers the White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army" and just like Mikey, I like it. Kind of puts a different spin on the track.

- More news on covers. Music for Kids has a handful of mp3s posted on Brits covering Brits. Artic Monkeys, Amy Winehouse, Kaiser Chiefs, and the Klaxons just to name a few.

- And more covers. The Klaxons covering "No Diggity"? No that's not a typo. Have a listen courtesy of You Ain't No Picasso - not half bad.

Hooray Friday!

- Gotta start off with the National. Aquarium Drunkard has a bunch of live tracks posted. RatBat Bear is correct - if you don't check that blog out on a regular basis, you are missing out on some musical gems.

- Radiohead alert! Check out the leaked track from their now 2008 album at Product Shop. Impressive, although all this really does is make me want for the new album more.

- The HBO show "Flight of the Conchords" kind of jumped up and bit the LOML and I on the boo-boo. We think it's the tops! Music for Kids... has an interview with the band manager, Murray Hewitt. At the bottom of the post are 2 of the bands songs, including our favorite, "Business Time".

- I am fuel... has posted some Dave Grohl demos from when he when back to his roots and rocked the drums again for the QOTSA album, Songs for the Deaf. I should have learned how to play the drums... or the bagpipes.

- I haven't been a huge fan of Bruce Springsteen's last few efforts. I'm all for artists experimenting, but I felt like the Boss was holding something back. My tune may be changing though if the first single from his upcoming release, Magic is any indication of what's to come. I am fuel... has posted the link to "Radio Nowhere" here.

Tour dates announced

With their upcoming album complete, Band of Horses have scheduled a handful of dates, beginning on August 1st at Red Rocks. Looks like they'll be teaming with Modest Mouse for about half of them. Dates can be found on their MySpace page, although their appearance at the 9:30 Club in DC on Aug. 7th (unfortunately not with Modest Mouse) is nowhere to be found there. My hope is that it's the band's error, not the 9:30 Club.

The National is returning to the states for some more goodness before heading back to Europe. A full list of dates can be found on their website.

The VH1 Hip Hop Honors Tour featuring the Roots, MC Lyte and Big Daddy Kane are hitting a handful of cities this fall. Scheduled dates here.

This is a little late notice, but the Format kick off their summer tour tomorrow night in Dallas. Scheduled dates here.