Noah and the Whale

Wednesday, October 28 Noah and the Whale 

Majestic Theatre

w/ Robert Francis

This band is one of the main reasons I decided to do this blog.  This band has been one of my all time favorites since last year.  I like to check out the La Blogotheque  blog for bands I haven't heard of before.  What I like most about La Blogotheque is that they choose bands with distinct and beautiful vocals because on their TakeAway shows, the voice doesn't get lost within the music.  I also enjoy that they are taking amazing music and for the most part, taking them to public streets and parks and sharing them with everyone.

Noah and the Whale is one of those bands that I found.  I admit, I find Charlie Fink more then slightly attractive including his amazing voice.  I also really liked that the band looks like these hip kids that would play some sort of dancy electronic club music and instead plays these beautiful, melodic heart breaking songs.  I'm more and more a sucker for cute guys singing love songs, I admit.

Here are some songs from Noah and the Whale.  Their new CD, The First Days of Spring , will be released tomorrow in the U.S. and has already made it pretty big on the U.K. charts. Noah and the Whale created a movie to go with their newest album, and knowing their affinity for Wes Anderson films, I'm sure it will be a heart breaker. 

This will be a cheap show to see such an amazing British band.

Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down (2008)

5 Years Time

Shape of My Heart

Give a Little Love 

Pretty Lights w/ Dark Party

Saturday, October 24 at Majestic Theatre

I first saw Pretty Lights at Bonnaroo this year and this guy can make me dance.  With Paul Oakenfold and Girl Talk competing for people, I have to say Pretty Lights was the only one who got me moving.  And the light show alone was really amazing.  I'm hoping he brings it to the Majestic for his set, because if he does, it will blow people away.  I like when the Majestic brings some amazing DJ's because it is one of the few times that you see everyone in the place moving and dancing.  Here' s some samples of his work

Sunday School

UpDownIGo

Pretty Lights Live!!

The Gossip

Saturday, October 17 at Majestic Theatre

W/ MEN (featuring J.D. from Le Tigre)

Not only am I a big Gossip fan, but I can't believe J.D. who I think is extremely attractive is also performing there with his new DJ group, MEN.  And what can I say but this is definitely going to be a huge Lesbian lovefest with so much attractive lesbians on stage.  And I'm extremely excited to be in the thick of it all. 

I found out about the Gossip the last time they were in town which I believe was 2006 at the Annex.  It wasn't that crowded but The Gossip put on one hell of a show.  Not only that, but Beth Ditto, the lead singer totally hung out with us after the show as she was smoking out doors.  How someone with a voice like her can smoke is beyond me.  My first album of theirs was Standing in the Way of Control.  A remix of the title song from that album was used to promote a new TV show in the U.K. called SKINS.  The video of that trailer can be seen here.  It's also how I was introduced to Skins and now it's one of my favorite TV shows. 

But it isn't just her voice that will blow you away.  Her live performances make you feel the passion behind her songs and it is a rare crowd that can't get up and dance/mosh/or jump up and down vigorously. I left pretty sweaty after her performance at the Annex and I know for sure I will leave in the same condition at the Majestic.

Songs that are a must listen/see.

Standing in the Way of Control (2006)

Standing in the Way of Control (look at her strut!  Amazing!)

Yr. Mangled Heart (performed at a huge Fashion Show)

Music for Men (2009)

Heavy Cross

Portugal. The Man.

Thursday, October 8 at Majestic Theater

w/ Hockey & Drug Rug

Portugal. The Man was another band I saw some of at Bonnaroo this past year. There was big hype about them around and I saw they were playing both in Madison and Milwaukee earlier this year, but since I paid my $250 for Bonnaroo, I planned to see them there. Unfortunately, this year wasn't the best Bonnaroo experience I have ever had (given that it was only my second time there, that pretty much means it wasn't as awesome as last year) I didn't see much of their show.

I classify their music as sounding indie rock which by my definition is beautiful and strong vocals, folk/rock sounding music and a touch of the electronic. John Baldwin Gourley, the lead singer, has an amazing voice that is harmonized by other members of the band to create some really beautiful songs.

They have released albums every year since 2006. I have their latest three albums and here are some songs I recommend checking out from them. Maybe it's just me, but I find that I usually love the first album I hear of a band more then other albums so I have to say that Censored Colors is a great place to start. I'll probably be buying their older albums at their show October 8th.

Censored Colors (2008)

Colors

Salt

And I (video

The Satanic Satanist (2009)

Lovers in Love

Do You (video)

The Majestic Majesty (2009)

This is just an acoustic version of The Satanic Satanist and is available as a download here

Secret Machines

Saturday

September 26th

Majestic Theater, Madison

w/ ... And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead and Invade Rome

I became aware of The Secret Machines when they were in town last year. They played a show at the Majestic and I remember it being, I believe, over $20 to see them. I thought to myself, and I may repeat this a lot but it's true, I saw Sleater-Kinney for $15 and have yet to see a band that is better that would be worth paying more for. $15 is usually the price I'll pay to see bands and they would have to have some name recognition or amazing music for me to shell out more.

After they came, I decided to check out their music to see if it was really worth that much money. Well, I can say that I am very glad that they are coming back to town.

Secret Machines label themselves as Space Rock which is definitely one of my favorite rock genres. I always just thought of it as music that makes you think you are high even when you aren't (It's my Anti-Drug!!). The first album I got of theirs was Now Here is Nowhere which also happens to be the first album they released. From the first song, First Wave Intact, I fell in love with the minimal vocals, the repetive and stong drums, and the spacey guitars. I pictured lights shining behind these rockers as they just jammed on stage and the audience was transported to some psychedelic realm of goodness. And it wasn't just the first song, but this was one of the few albums I have that every song fits nicely within the album with some songs being upbeat while others are airy and melodic. The second album I got from them was Ten Silver Drops. I thought maybe it was a fluke that their first album was that good. Although not as good as their first album, Ten Silver Drops is by no means a bad album. I do think the best track is the first one, Alone, Jeaous, and Stoned

Top Songs to check out:

Now Here is Nowhere

First Wave Intact

Nowhere Again

The Road Leads Where It's Led

Ten Silver Drops

Alone, Jealous and Stoned

Side Note: I missed seeing Invade Rome at Forward Music Festival because of scheduling issues and I'm very glad to be able to see them at this show. Check out their music here. I have a soft spot for Rock guys who sing with falsetto voices.