The Givers

So last night I was supposed to go see Ra Ra Riot with Mrs Chops and Cleo. Mrs Chops bailed as she "had already seen them once". And as much as I enjoy Cleos company I did not think a date with her and I would be entirely appropriate. So we brought a mutual friend who I will refer to as "Sam" and off we went to The Warehouse in downtown Houston.

To be perfectly frank I was not as excited about the show as I had hoped I would be. The new Ra Ra Riot album, The Orchard, while quite pleasant, is something of a let down after Rhumb Line. But Cleo and Sam were turning out to be very enjoyable company and I was determined to have a good time.

The opening band took the stage and introduced themselves as The Givers from Lafayette LA and then proceeded to absolutely and throughly kick. @#!*% . I am truly at a loss for words to describe how completely these guys rocked. I did not know their names and I had never heard them before but no more than 45 sec into the first song I was jumping up and down and smiling uncontrollably. The young lady front and center, (whom I would later learn was Tif Lamson) was singing, playing Ukele, drums, tambourine and most dramatically the xylophone. It may have been a glockenspiel. I am not as au courant with the subtleties of percussive instruments as I would like. Either way, Tif walked up to it, berated it and then took it back and gave it the thrashing of its like. She played that thing like her only child's life depended on her maintaining an output of 120 decibels or more. She wailed on it like it had just stabbed her dog. And she did it with a smile.

I cant even accurately recall how many songs they played or how long their set lasted. Their songs blended toghether and had a very cohesive feel. I do know that I loved every minute of it and was sad when they left the stage. They played with such unabashed joy and enthusiasm that it was impossible to not be infected. I have an equally hard time describing their music. At the time it felt very basic, strong drum rhythms being thumped out by no less than three band members. But as they progressed they layered in some electro-funk and then what sounded like jazz. I couldn't even tell where all the sounds were coming from at some points.

This is the only video I could find that gives an accurate depiction of what it felt like to be there.

"Saw you first" from eliot brasseaux on Vimeo.

I just found this video as well. The production quality is terrilbad, but if you look closely you can see Tif beating the living crap out of the drums front and center.

Givers from Flat Hat on Vimeo.

Eventually The Givers had to go and they did. Next up were The Villagers. The seemed very sincere but... meh. I actually felt kind of bad for the lads. Their music was perfectly fine, it just.. I don't know. After The Givers anything would have been a let down I think. This is from his MySpace page.

"Villagers’ began life as a nameless collection of musical poems, all under the pen of one Conor J. O’Brien. “Ultimately, I’ve learned that a song is not an isolated thing. You have to wash the dishes before you write a song. It should never be taken too seriously. It must be treated with joy and humour, regardless of the subject matter,” muses Conor, as he strokes his hairless chin."

Decide for yourself.



Finally Ra Ra Riot took the stage. They were stellar. unfortunately for me, my advanced age had betrayed itself and my eardrums had almost completely failed at this point. I was unable to discern most of the nuances of the songs that Ra Ra Riot played as most sounds had been reduced to a loud buzzing. However, I was a mere 4 feet from the luminous Rebecca Zeller. All was well.


Ra Ra Riot - Boy

RA RA RIOT | Myspace Music Videos

Night Driving

Do you remember driving at night when you were a kid? I used to love looking out the window and watching the world zip by, framed by the stars and illuminated by moonlight. It was one of the few times I would stop thinking and just relax. Something about the passing scenery seemed almost hypnotic. I wasnt the same during the day. Everything was too bright and garish. It was impossible to ignore the details. But at night, at night the sharp edges faded away and all that was left was the idea and the feeling.

Something about this song makes me feel that way again.

Home

Mr Alex Ebert fronts a band called "Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes". Mr Ebert has a right stout beard. He could use a haircut. Just my opinion. I would also venture to guess hes is not unfamiliar with several assorted illicit substances. However, I defy you to listen to this all the way through and NOT spend the rest of the day whistling the tune.

You have been been forewarned.



I also enjoyed these songs. Not as much as the previous.

Leslie Feist or The First Lady of Manly Music

Ladies and Gentlemen, I need to correct a grave injustice. I have given a lot of thought to todays selection and I had a couple of new bands I would have liked to introduce. But then I noticed someone was missing from our current library. I'm not sure how we have gone this long without giving the young lady her proper respect but the oversight is hereby officially corrected. Say hello and a give a big welcome to Leslie Feist.

I dont have a crush on Leslie. I dont even think shes that good looking. Not that shes bad looking. It's just that she seems more like a sister. Or maybe a first cousin. Either way, someone you've known for a long time but could never, ever have sexual feelings about.  She's someone I would call up if I really needed someone to talk to to about something important. I think she would give sound advice.

Her songs all leave me feeling warm and comforted after I listen to them. Not elated, not sad, just mellow and content. Like a warm cup of milk before you go to bed. It's not always the best thing to drink but in the right situation it's exactly what you were looking for. She made it big after Apple featured "1 2 4 3" on one of thier Ipod commercials a while back so I didn't bother reposting that one but instead you get a couple of my favorites I hope you haven't heard. Enjoy.

Right Said Fred

Back in 1991 a storm of sexiness and testosterone was unleashed on the world. That storm took form in a pair of bald headed brothers named Richard and Fred Fairbrass. The two were working as fitness instructors and trying to break into the music business. Frustrated with their lack of progress and interest from any major record label, they took out a small loan and financed the recording of a single and the accompanying video..   And the world was never the same.

Ha! You danced, didn't you! Don't try to deny it, you cant resist it. Sure, it's just about as shallow and commercial as pop gets but... DAMN it's a good beat! And that's not even their best song. The gentlemen went on to pen even more magical lyrics.

Ooh yeah, surrender me a kiss
Let me loose on you inch by inch
The one and only reason is fun fun fun
Well baby, weve only just begun

Dont talk just kiss
Were beyond words and sound
Dont talk just kiss
Let your tongue fool around
Lets fool around

And the video is even better!

Come on, I defy you to tell me that you did not at least tap you foot to that. 

 This song was actually integral in roping Mrs Chops McGee. I own this album. I bought it. I paid money for it. Real money. Your jealous, I know. And back when Miss Chops and I were dating I busted this bad boy out when we were driving one day. She was overcome with an uncontrollable urge to make out with me. That actually happens to me a lot but this particular time Right Said Fred was the catalyst. My oral prowess was not as refined as it is now and were it not for the magic Richard and Fred brought to my '91 Cavalier I don't know where I'd be now. Ahh.. who am I kidding, I've always been a fantastic kisser, the music was just icing on the cake. Nonetheless, we all owe the brothers a debt of gratitude.

Revel in all that is their glory and thank our lucky stars we have them! Lets set sail for seas of passion now!

Still the beginning...

You thought I wasn't coming back, didn't you? I'll admit my ego was bruised and battered after last Mondays fiasco where poor Katie Todd was maligned and maltreated (and my masculinity was called into question). But I will not be defeated! Today I bring you Cold War Kids.

Nathan Willett (lead vocals, piano, guitar), Jonnie Russell (guitar, vocals, percussion), Matt Maust(bass guitar), and Matt Aveiro (drums) are from Fullerton CA and have been banging it out since 2004. They have a great classic LA garage band sound. Simple rhythms, strong guitar and no nonsense keyboard. Nathan manages to always sounds like he's right on the edge of screaming and somehow still belts out a great melody. The whole band has great energy and just seems so.... well, energetic.

Cold War Kids - Hang Me Up To Dry (new version)
Uploaded by Cooperative-Music

Their newest release seems a little too slick and well produced and misses the raw funk of their first album. Hopefully they will get over their sophomore jinx and get back to throwin' down old school rock. This last one is my personal favorite and the song that gets queued up whenever I get by myself in the car. I open the sunroof, roll all the windows down and scream along. I'll treat you to the live version 'cause its the only place I can find this particular song and 'cause I think they just wail live. Cleo can attest that I am frequently disappointed by some band's live performances. Too many of them don't measure up to what you hear on the album after they have been run through the sound board. I think Cold War Kids are one of the exceptions that really shine when you strip them down.

In the Beginning

So this is how this is gonna go down. Mondays are now "Manly Music Mondays" and despite the image that phrase may conjure up for you we will NOT be featuring such bands as AC/DC , Guns and Roses, Slayer or any of their ilk. We will be getting in touch with our feminine sides. That's right, you heard correctly.

Look, you're all alone and your wife won't be back for hours so just do it. You know you want to. And I'm here to help you.

Meet Katie Todd. She's a gem. A gem I tell you. Unfortunately shes also not terribly well managed and she has somehow managed to put out two albums without getting any videos in the public domain. So you get the audio with stills that someone put together.

I think she has a fantastic, soulful voice and her lyrics are thoughtful and introspective without getting all dreary and sappy or overly emotional.

If I'm being honest I will admit that I steal most of my music. But every now and then I find an artist that I just cant listen to without paying for it. Katie Todd is one of them. I bought "Make some time for wasting" and love every track on that bad boy. It's also one of those rare albums that has a cohesive feel to it and feels like an "album" instead of just a bunch of songs. I truly think she deserves your mula. Go check her out.