Show Me Your Tones. Yeah Yeah Yeahs at Roseland, NYC. May 2, 2006. photos by Kenyon.

Many will wonder if the Yeah Yeah Yeahs can still be exciting live with a second album that's on the softer side. This performance showed they can still be exciting and still a lot of fun as well. Although there were stupid drunk girls saying stupid things ("Take off your wig, Nick!" and "does anyone have a cigarette!?") and those same girls shoving their way up to the front after the rest of us had been standing there since 7:30, there were still enough moments where we could semi-dance and raise our arms while Karen O smiled and jumped up and down like a giddy teenager.

included in set: Gold Lion, Tick, Pin, Black Tongue, Y Control, Maps (acoustic), Phenomena, Way Out.


Dirtbombs and Black Lips (above) were perfect as openers. The crowd was pleased with the garage punk and psychedelic garage rock. Pleased enough for a half-assed mosh pit to form.

Kenyon will be at the Yeah Yeah Yeahs tonite.

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new MP3s in the hooouusseee.

I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness- "According to Plan" (Secretly Canadian)
I Love the Name of the Band. Dark, atmospheric. almost as good as the Editors. rating: ****


Super XX Man – "Collecting Rocks" (Hush)
Scott Garred's quiet indie singer-songwriter rock matures, accompanied by a sweet female vocals. record out soon. rating: ***1/2


Lillix- "Sweet Temptation" (Maverick) Record out June 13
glossy flossy synth-aided pop for the teenage girls that shop at hot topic and other clothing stores in the mall. yea cause you know this is gonna be on the PA there. rating: *1/2


Lillix. they've been naughty.

Con Amore. Saturday night at the Hobo House, Huntington Long Island.


photos by Kenyon.

Picture the scene. recently viewed films. because Kenyon can't just listen to music all day and night.


Last House on the Left * (1972) Any significance attributed to this old-school-looking drama-horror film quickly disintegrates from bad acting, annoying characters, corny music, little suspense and prolonged abuse and cat-and-mouse chase scenes.

White Noise ** (2005) If you can accept the idea of Michael Keaton of all people communicating with the deceased via radio and TV, White Noise is not as bad as you'd think. the supernatural thriller is darker and more depressing than expected, and actually a little scary. Of course it also leaves some important questions unanswered.

Children of the Living Dead * (2001) A bunch of kids in a van drive off a cliff and it's funny. Otherwise this zombie dud is terrible in every possible way.

Terminal Bliss (no stars) (1992) Not even Luke Perry, during his heyday on 90201, can save this complete mess of an excuse for a drama, where no character is likeable. Good luck sitting through even the first half.

Mindhunters **1/2 (2005) Brutal death scenes make this psychological thriller worth watching. Predictable ending and obvious foreshadowing is a small price to pay.

Birth ***1/2 (2004) Unique story about reincarnation without any special effects, yet fails to question the how or why while maintaining a solemn yet fascinating atmosphere.

Classic vintage video of the week that you never saw.
The Cure: "A Forest" (1980). note Robert Smith's short hair. note that he doesn't look like Robert Smith. note that Simon Gallup gets less camera time than the drummer.

MP3, video and puppets in the hooouussssseee.

Be Your Own Pet- "Adventure".
Youthful, raw indie noise rock with a tiny new wave. record out June 6.

Drop the Lime- "E-Lock"
I challenge you to sit through this video. record out?

the Spores. I like puppets, but these creep me out. record out june 27.

The line-up at Jones Beach so far this year is above average. There are still the usual 70s and 80s semi-icons and wash-ups such as Journey, Poison and Styx, but also included is Depeche Mode/Goldfrapp May 13, the New Cars (blech!)/Blondie June 9, Nine Inch Nails/Bauhaus/Peaches June 17, Fiona Apple (!) July 22 and Roger Waters September 15.
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I Am Robot and Proud posted part of my review.
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Blender's latest list is the worst things to ever happen to music. While I think Blender making this list should be number 51, I sorta agree with their number 1. note their new deal with AOL.
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Also at AOL- a streaming of the new Secret Machines record.
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Soapnet removed 90210 from the 10am timeslot and now its only on at 5pm. This is shitty because the second season just began and the notorious Emily Valentine was just about to be on. Shannon will be taping at 5pm so I can still provide reports. My VCR is impossible to deal with. 90210 series has not officially been released on dvd, though it is obtainable.
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Kenyon hasn't made time yet today to make a post. Instead he's getting ready to do his radio show. Today and most wednesdays, 2:30-5pm EST on WUSB Stony Brook. Go HERE or HERE to listen.

Chicks on Skates. Long Island Roller Rebels 2006 season opener: The Wicked Wheelers of the West vs The Rolling Thundercats. April 22 at Skate Safe, Bethpage, Long Island.


Kids, don't try this at home. Or, rather, at the local skating ring. These girls practice. And still get injured. When you're on wheels and pushing each other, it's gonna happen. So don't take these roller derby bouts lightly. And this thing is well organized too, not to mention already mad popular. Hundreds showed up for this opening season game, with one a month scheduled. You can learn on your own how the game is played (I didn't know up till now) and even if you don't know or like me fear of someone getting badly hurt, it's still a blast. Adding two good punk/hardcore bands during intermissions make it a small event.



Two Man Advantage. Songs about hockey. And more songs about hockey.

Kenyon's favorite player name: Killer Tofu. Shannon's favorite player and name: Alison Chains

Classic vintage music video of the week that you never saw.
INXS: "Don't Change" (1982) NO ONE can replace Michael Hutchence. He OWNS you. yea yea, that's right, he OWNS you. Bitch.

The Secret Machines itinerary in New York yo. The word "itinerary" makes you sound important. Second record, Ten Silver Drops is out this Tuesday April 25. Usually I hate record titles with numbers. This one doesn't bother me as much because the Secret Machines are cool. I am, however, still angry that they didn't play that date with Interpol and I had to stand through boring Calla.

April 25 – Conan O'Brien
April 26 – Hiro Ballroom – NYC (CD release party)
April 27 – Virgin Megastore, Union Square, NYC (acoustic)
May 3 – Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

New tracks and video at thesecretmachines.com

Roller derby tonite. expect photos.

Saved by the Bell's Jesse secretly liked the Cure. Or, she's just a poseur. This is from the episode where she gets f*cked up on caffeine pills. In this image you can clearly see a Cure poster circa 1987. Saved by the Bell is now on Adult Swim. Couldn't figure out at first how it fits in with Family Guy and Aqua Teen. Then it hit me. It's absurd and surreal.

MP3s in the hoouuusseee.

the Noisettes -"IWE"
sounds like Joanna Newsom rocking out. full length out this summer. feel the buzz and anticipation! it's killing me!

Head Automatica - "Laughing at You"
that band that played after Diamond Nights. and your next guilty pleasure. full length out June 6.

World Party - "What Does it Mean Now?" Windows Medium. High.
if you were hip in the early 90s, you'll remember them. try to remember. or do i have to put you under hypnosis and ask you dumb repetitive questions like, "who do you see?, who's there? what does he tell you to do?" and "how does it make you feel?". record out May 2.

Gary Numan: Jagged (Metropolis)
released: March 13, 2006
rating: **
styles: Gloomy
similar: Gary Numan's Pure and Exile

Sometime during Gary Numan's 20+ albums, he started listening to Nine Inch Nails. And just before Jagged, he must have been very depressed. Following the equally dark Pure and Exile, Jagged's dark dark rock is built on betrayal, despair and hurt (an ex-lover, perhaps?). It's something that Numan can't escape from, given that many of the same words and subject matter make it into EVERY song here (lies, cold, pain, lost). Music of this sort can be quite beautiful, even comforting. This isn't. You'll only wish Numan could crawl out of his psychological prison and either redirect his pain or make some refreshing ice cold synthpop again. -Kenyon

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De/Vision: Subkutan (Dancing Ferret)
rating: *
styles: electronic, synth pop
similar: Beborn Beton, Wolfsheim, Iris

"Come on move it/when i'm on the mic/we gonna rock you/we gonna rock you right." whoa hold up. this is supposed to be the new de/vision record. oh shit, it is. once they get that rap-rock big beat thing out of the way, they get back to normal with dark dance-floor synth pop. which is mostly slow. don't expect another "your hands on my skin" or "try to forget" here. cause it's not happening. -Kenyon

Roller derby on Long Island is for real.

Classic Vintage Music Video of the week that you never saw.
OMD: "Electricity" (1980)

Buckcherry: "Crazy Bitch"
rating: *
from the album 15, released April 11 on Eleven Seven.

Buckcherry was a band that a few people got all excited about then promptly disappeared from the spotlight. And don't forget, this was after we had to keep hearing about where the band name originated ad naseum. They had a couple semi-hits in the late 90s-- "Lit Up," a cross between Guns N Roses, the Black Crowes and Aerosmith, and "For the Movies," which somehow had the sound of early Blur and really wasn't that bad. the band is actually still together. Sorta. They just released their third record, 15, but not without casualties. There's only two original members now (the singer and a guitarist) and they're on some unknown label (they used to be on Dreamworks. whoops!). however, they supposedly did sell out Irving Plaza in New York, so they must still be doing something right. First single "Crazy Bitch" is a title so genius that even Guns N Roses apparently could not come up with it. And of course, the name of the tour is "The Crazy Bitch Tour 2006." Wow. It would sound better if it was Crazy Bitch Tour 1976. Or 1986. Both the dirty version and clean version of "Crazy Bitch" are sleezy and explicit, with lyrics that no blog should bother repeating.Unless you're specializing in rock 'n' roll porn.

The Boy Least Likely To: The Best Party Ever (Too Young to Die)
release: May2, 2006
styles: Indie Pop, Twee, Sunshine
similar: Saturday Looks Good to Me, Shins, Bikeride, early Beach Boys
rating: ****

Seriously, the name of this band is kinda emo/pop-punk. But the cover of The Best Party Ever says otherwise. Yea. Little animal figures playing instruments, one holding a balloon. This isn't emo at all. This band is adorable twee/indie pop. With lots of fun instruments (harmonica, xylophone, synth et al) and appropriately cute song titles ("Be Gentle with Me," "Warm Panda Cola," "I'm Glad I Hitched My Apple Wagon to your Star"), it's so damn cute and sweet you'll wish it was watermelon or a granola bar so you could eat it. The Best Party Ever is the best innocent, daydreamy record this year and one from which other twee bands should take notes. -Kenyon

All four of Madonna's dates at Madison Square Garden--June 28/29, July 2/3, sold out Monday morning. Tickets were $64.50--354.50. Of course, tickets are available at ebay and craigslist. Go to ebay to see tickets selling for $500+, go to craigslist to read people's rants on scalpers. I got two tickets for the first show at the lowest price level in sections 424 and 426. I realize it is dumb for me to be paying as much for Madonna as I did for U2. Therefore I may sell.

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New Red Hot Chili Peppers. Double album Stadium Arcadium out May 9. First single--"Dani California." And no, I would never ever pay $65 for these guys. or even $20!

Quicktime 128k

Windows 128k
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And just so this blog can get back to sounding hipster rather than mainstream: Shannon saw Wolf Parade at Webster Hall Sunday night......Radio Indie Pop is streaming the new Yeah Yeah Yeahs record.

The Birthday Massacre. Friday night April 7 at Metasin, Long Island NY.

Diamond Nights. Wednesday night at the Crazy Donkey, Farmingdale, Long Island.


Despite a packed crowd of restless emo (and mostly high school) kids anticipating Head Automatica, New York City's Diamond Nights did an unbelievable job winning a lot of them over with its party-time rock 'n' roll. Highlights were vocalist/guitarist Morgan getting them to sing along some "yeah yeah whoa whoas" at the beginning of "Saturday Fantastic" and walking into the crowd during the last song. "The Girl's Attractive" and "Destination Diamonds" were also killer.


Since there were few people there to specifically see these guys, Kristina, Shannon and I didn't have to worry about competing with any groupies they might usually have at their headlining gigs. If the band seemed friendly onstage, they were even friendlier offstage. Really cool guys. We hung out with them for a little while outside. This is the result:

Shannon wrote a little something as well. Thanks to Rick at the Crazy Donkey for hooking me up, and the guy working the parking lot.

I'm always joking about a "Battle of the Bands" (we gotta practice! battle of the bands is in two weeks!). But Warped Tour really does have a Battle of the Bands. .....I found my Cloud Room CD....big records out this week from Flaming Lips, Morrissey, Placebo, South, Vines. God damn, didn't you just HAVE records out!?

hot shows this week on Long Island. expect photos.

tonite: Diamond Nights (Kemado records) at the Crazy Donkey in Farmingdale, opening for Head Automatica.

friday at Metasin, where Kenyon DJs: the Birthday Massacre (Metropolis records)

I Am Robot and Proud: The Electricity in Your House Wants to Sing (Darla)
release: April 4, 2006
styles: Indie Electronic
similar: Manitoba, Minotaur Shock
not to be confused with: Ima Robot
rating: ****

The other night I heard someone say that Toronto is so ahead of the curve, musically. I Am Robot and Proud must be an example to which he was referring. The Electricity in Your House Wants to Sing isn't revolutionary or anything, but it's nice to hear electronic music this warm and friendly. Plus, the record title is just really cute. Sole member Shaw-Han Liem manages to mix in piano, sax and flute to the bubbly synth with no problem. Even when the acoustic guitar threatens to tip the balance, I Am Robot stays focused on producing some of the most endearing machine-pop this year. -Kenyon

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Growing: Color Wheel (Troubleman Unlimited)
release: April 11, 2006
similar: Ulrich Schnauss, Brian Eno
rating: ***1/2

Color Wheel is one of those records that are easily going to be misplaced in the alphabetical ordering by artist. While Color Wheel seems more appropriate to be the name of this ambient electronic band, Growing is actually the name, although the minimally designed CD cover and spine neglects to inform us of either option. Nonetheless, this is what ambient ambient indie electronic is all about. You got your smooth washes of synth that are straight out of NPR's Hearts of Space, the effects-processed guitars, and glitchy, drum 'n' bliss percussion. The 16-minute minimal "Blue Angels" finds Growing immersed in a never-ending hypnotic trip, where everything is peaceful enough to make even that latest bad news about global warming be an afterthought. -Kenyon

Director George Romero (Dawn of the Dead, Day of the Dead, etc) is at the Cinema Arts Centre tomorrow night.....In 90210 season 1, episode 12, "Joey" by Concrete Blonde is inappropriately played in reference to a baby named Joey. In the same episode, "Wicked Game" by Chris Isaak is played while Brenda and Kelly are skydiving.

The Matt Roren Karaoke Experience. Definitely a highlight at the benefit for the Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington, Long Island last nite. MRKE's set included such hits as "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls and "Girls Just Want to Have Fun." If you don't think this is for real click HERE.

Prefixmag has the Yeah Yeah Yeahs footage from last nite on Letterman. If you're wondering who the guy on acoustic guitar is, it's new touring member Imaad Wasif.

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs were just on David Letterman 30 minutes ago. Unfortunately I missed it. Here's their previous performance on the show. Karen O is good here, but I would still like to see her move around the stage more.

Liars: Drum's Not Dead (Mute)
release: March 21, 2006
rating: **

When the Liars were touring for the first record in 2002 and opening for Sonic Youth in New York, the restless post-experimental rock band practically blew its forefather band away. It was partly because the Liars seemed very reckless and exciting, and party because Sonic Youth was kinda a drag live. The same would not be said if the Liars were supporting its third album, the much darker Drum's Not Dead. It's hardly because it's not interesting. The Liars have been intriguing and strange since their inception (even though its sophomore record about witches is forgettable). It's just really hard to picture a live impact from tribal-type percussion, moaning-like vocals (and the vocals don't come often) and whatever other sounds they mustered up on this concept record about something that really is an effort to explain here. On record, however, it at least shows that the band is willing to take chances. Hopefully, like Sonic Youth, this is just a phase of avant-garde the Liars are going through, and when they finish, they'll get back to what they do best: rock the hell out. -Kenyon

If you thought a tour with Nine Inch Nails and Bauhaus was exciting, just you wait. Def Leppard and Journey, two bands that have been around just so damn long, are touring together this summer, including June 24 at Jones Beach, Long Island. Def Leppard has been honored by the RIAA with two Diamond Awards for selling quite a lot of copies of Hysteria and Pyromania-which, if you don't know, rock hard. Important note though on Journey: vocalist Steve "Oh Sherri" Perry is not in the band anymore.
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Diamond Nights playing at Crazy Donkey on Long Island next Wednesday with Head Automatica.
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New Elefant video for "Lolita". Censored version. From the upcoming record Black Magic Show. Quicktime small. Quicktime bigger.
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I just heard a song from the new Goldfrapp album in a commercial for Coca-Cola. Blech! Yea, it was during American Idol ok. Ok shut up ok? I just had to prove that everyone would choose really bad songs. And they did! Yea! they all sucked!

Frank Lenz: Vilelenz and Thieves (Hidden Agenda)
rating: ***
release: March 21, 2006

In the promo photo of Frank Lenz holding a mic to what looks like a karaoke machine, he looks like a total science and technology geek, albeit a hip one. It also suggests his music is either really geeky or really experimental or both. In reality, the music of this arranger/producer (Pedro the Lion, Starflyer 59) is actually elegant, and at first quite eclectic before he settles down into quiet acoustic indie rock ala Elliott Smith. Vilelenz and Thieves begins with something out of the orchestral pages of Polyphonic Spree, while other times Lenz can easily draw comparisons to Yo La Tengo. Usually though, he's just very soft-spoken, even when he's saying "I've always been a fucking poseur." -Kenyon

Ice Cream Social @Metasin last nite.

I would love to be in this band. Not only do they have a fantastic indie pop/rock band name (even though I don't eat ice cream), there are two keyboards. But I can't be in the band. They're from Buffalo. Bummer.

It's taking me some time to adjust to 90210: the beginning. Especially to the idea that David Silver was semi-hip, before he started chilling with Babyface. Here he is with Scott wearing a New Order shirt.

Editors: The Back Room (Fader)
release: March 21, 2006
rating: ****1/2

When I went looking for the press sheet for this disc, I realized it only came with the tour dates for the Editors and Stellastarr*. I could have went online and easily found the background info on this hyped band, but at that point I was like, you know what, screw it. This is going to be one of those new bands where I really don't care or need to know anything. I'm going in with an open mind, not even knowing what they sound like yet. Maybe the Editors are from New York City. Whatever, I don't care. Let the music speak for itself. So guess what. This is the first great record of 2006. I hope I haven't said that yet about another record. Cause this one really is. And if I did say that, then this is the first great record of 2006 that can compete with Kitchens of Distinction and Interpol. ps...Editors are from England. -Kenyon

MP3s in the hoouussee. from artists I never heard of before.

The 303s (record out April 11 on Cult Hero)
inexplicably drops out at the end.

Casey Dienel (out now on Hush)
similar to beth orton, joanna newsom. we'll just see about that.

Track a Tiger (out now on Future Appletree)
like a really breezy Yo La Tengo.

Robin Guthrie of the Cocteau Twins has signed with Darla records. His first release with Darla, Continental, is out May 15. Guthrie will also play on and mix the upcoming--and much delayed--record from stellar dream pop band Mahogany, due this summer. In related Cocteau Twins news, 4AD this week releases a modified version of the band's box set Lullabies to Violaine.

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This person is sick of hearing about the Arctic Monkeys. When I get the audio working for my latest video, you will see how I am sick of it as well. That and SXSW. For now, you can watch THESE.

Devo: the Next Generation. or, We Don't Need Another Devo. (see, that one is a play on "We Don't Need Another Hero" by Tina Turner. hmm, that didn't go as well). ok. Next Generation! I'm going with Next Generation!

Well anyway, this was already a quiet and weird week for releases (I'm sure SXSW had something to do with that), so just to be sure, a re-imagined, kid-version of Devo, yes, DEVO, has released a CD and DVD with classic songs by Devo on Walt Disney Records (!). I mean really, that's what kids NEED these days! De-evolution! The kids--aged 10 to 14--"share an understanding of the Devo aesthetic". gee whiz. When your influences are "The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Carlos Santana, Coldplay, Gwen Stefani and Kelly Clarkson" that's pretty impressive. They will work with NAMM (not the war) to increase awareness for music education--ok I guess that's kinda good. 11-date US tour of schools starts march 27 in Boston. Listen to sound clips and see videos HERE, if you dare.

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Australian band Decoder Ring will release its award-winning, gorgeous ambient electronic pop soundtrack to the film Somersault in the U.S May 2 on Bella Union (operated by Simon Raymonde of the Cocteau Twins). They make their U.S. live debut with shows in Los Angeles, New York and at SXSW. They have a projectionist who uses three 16mm projectors. Cool!

South by South WHAT? I'd rather be blogging. Any publicists or other industry people out there who aren't in Texas, hit me up yo. CMJ is seven months away...I'll need some better excuses not to go.

BREAKING NEWS>>>>Nine Inch Nails touring with Bauhaus. Late May--July.

Now THIS is a music video. A Northern Chorus: Winterize. From its latest record Bitter Hands Resign (Sonic Unyon). Quicktime only.

More new tracks from the Liars. Plus a bad recording of them covering Nirvana.

Erasure is releasing an acoustic album April 18, featuring new versions of old songs. Anything is better than that covers record they did a few years back. Erasure's first ever acoustic tour includes May 19 in New York.

The Birthday Massacre (Metropolis Records) is playing April 7 in Long Island at Metasin/UltraSoundLounge, where Kenyon DJs.

WUSB's website has finally been improved.

Robert Cherry: The New Forever (Requisite)
release: Now-ish
rating: **
This guy's former band, Ether Net, opened for BRMC, Idlewild, Hot Hot Heat and Placebo. Holy cow, that's some great cred for a band I've never heard of. And he's gonna need it, because his solo debut is kinda a snoozefest. There are some good moments that are fleshed out with piano and acoustic guitar and it becomes a little more likable as the record moves along. And heck, we really do need a new forever, yo. It's just that the singer-songwriter aspects become too safe and conventional. And he's got a cat in his press photo. Save that for myspace. -Kenyon
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Exeter Popes: Exeter Popes EP (White Shoes)
release: February 7, 2006
rating: ***
Three songs, two guys in band, one nice sound. Pleasant, fragile folk-indie-pop with just a wee bit of twee. -Kenyon

Diamond Nights is playing on Long Island with Head Automatica, April 5 at the Crazy Donkey --where I saw Ministry in 2004. I kid you not about any of this. Gotta post the new video from DN later. It's killer.

The Walkmen are helping you save money. Not on your car insurance, but on service charges on tickets for their upcoming tour. Starts May 24 at Webster Hall in New York, ends late June in Boston.

MP3 in the houuusse.

Your new favorite buzz band to post about on your blog:

You Say Party! We Say Die!- "the Gap (Between The Rich And The Poor)".
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The Liars keep getting wierder. This video for a song off the upcoming Drum's Not Dead, out March 21 on Mute, is some seriously wacked out shit. REAL - WMV
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Clothing Pile theatre presents "Anytime" by My Morning Jacket.

My Morning Jacket is touring with Pearl Jam beginning May 9. Pitchfork's news piece about this is really dumb. The two dates in the New York Metro area are June 1 and 3 at the Meadowlands, New Jersey. Shannon is bugging out because My Morning Jacket and Pearl Jam are her two favorite bands ever. Pearl Jam's next record is out May 2.

Ambulance LTD: New English EP (TVT)
rating: **1/2
release: March 14
played with: REM, Killers, Guided by Voices

Could have been a major faux pas covering Pink Floyd. Not just anyone can or should be doing that. Ambulance LTD's version of "Fearless", with its gentle vocals, represents just as well as David Gilmore or Roger Waters playing it solo in 2006. Pink Floyd may indeed be an influence, but this EP, like their debut full-length, cuts across the rock n roll map. Which is more of a minus than a plus. Even if they can be versatile enough to generate soul for "Arbuckle's Swan Song," the songs kinda lay flat. It's only a seven-song teaser (with two new songs) until the next LP is out, so we'll see if A LTD can sharpen the focus or if they even need to. Just don't, by any means, no matter what you read, be lead to believe this NYC band is involved with shoegaze. Give them soul, rock n roll, psychedelia. But please, there is nothing here that resembles shoegaze! -Kenyon

Last episode of 90210 on Soapnet today. Series starts over on Monday.

She Wants Revenge. Candidate for best new band and best band name.

Goldfrapp: Supernature (Mute)
release: March 7, 2006
rating: ****
similar: Dot Allison, Miss Kittin, Annie, Madonna, Fischerspooner

The hype, promotion and promotional hype for Goldfrapp's third record had been building for months. The anticipation is pretty much justified. Supernature is an electro-disco-pop goldmine. For people that don't think that electro-disco-pop is a dead fad. It doesn't even matter what style you want to call it, because it's that fantastic, a timelessly modern album that could have occured anywhere from 1980 to 2006. Hot dance tracks are oozing from Supernature: "Ride a White Horse", "Number 1" and "Koko" to name a few. It doesn't hurt that Alison Goldfrapp's vocals are to die for, not at all robotic but sizzingly sensual. And don't forget her counterpart and music maker Will Gregory, who may not be as attractive to be the focus of attention, but uses some brilliant charming synth to make this one of the stand-out entries of the year. -Kenyon

On the Tonite Show, Monday March 13.

Hypatia Lake: And We Shall Call Him Joseph (Sad Robot)
release: February 28, 2006
rating: ***1/2
similar: Black Heart Procession, Dykehouse, Flying Saucer Attack, Flaming Lips
played with: BRMC, M83, Ulrich Schnauss, Ambulance ltd.

The album cover for Hypatia Lake's sound-bending sophomore effort makes it too easy to dismiss them as experimental post-rock noise. Just look at it! So, ok, my bad. And We Shall Call Him... is actually one of the more happy discoveries so far this year. Mainly because it relies greatly on swirling textures and has a big foot in space rock and shoegaze. It starts off strong, balancing a concept story about a guy leading a revolt against a candy factory (what?). It sorta wonders off later and loses some strength, hinting that this too-short record is only a small part of a greater whole. Sticky Sweet. -Kenyon

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Man Man: Six Demon Bag (Ace Fu)
release: February 21, 2006
rating: **
similar: World Inferno Friendship Society, Tom Waits, Captain Beefheart
played with: Arcade Fire, Fiery Furnaces, Cat Power

Man Man isn't for many, but they're certainly not easy to ignore when they've got an experimental style that draws from jazz, Middle Eastern, old-school carnival type music, cabaret, and who knows what else. It's not an easy listen when they add the throaty or whiney vocals. But hell, if they were playing one of their off-the-hook shows nearby, I'd so be there for major photo taking. So they get half a star for that. Oh yea, and if it matters, they opened for Arcade Fire ..AND, supposedly, Cat Power. -Kenyon

I have been getting a TON of emails announcing bands playing at South by Southwest in Texas later this month. (For those in the know, SXSW.) So instead of giving any one in particular attention, and because I'm in New York, here is the entire LINE-UP (which includes Elefant and Brian Jonestown Massacre).

Okay now that that's out of the way.....
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Pitchfork is having its own music fest this summer in Chicago.
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After two dates at Madison Square Garden last December, Depeche Mode is playing at Jones Beach, Long Island May 13. It's the first show announced for this year's schedule there. Knowing what the line-ups are usually like, this will be one of the more exciting acts.
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According to Technorati, Advance Copy is currently ranked number 281,328 in the blogosphere.
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I can't find my Cloud Room cd. Speaking of which, they're playing March 11 at Mercury Lounge with Film School.
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The Long Island Press, who laid off Kenyon last summer, has downsized--yet again--from 72 to 64 pages. Ha!

I finally heard Swervedriver's Ejector Seat Reservation, their lost/rare/dropped-from-three-labels album from 1995 that was finally re-issued in 2003. Not as spectacular as I expected. It's kinda like the following LP, 99th Dream, just not nearly as keen and light on the guitar effects.

February 28 was an unusually dead release date. Unless of course you are down with Hawthorne Heights or a Bruce Springsteen show from 1975. Don't even worry about it because there are plenty of big records coming up real soon. Especially March 21. I can hardly contain myself.

March 7
Goldfrapp: Supernature (Mute)
Mogwai: Mr. Beast (Matador)
Mudhoney: Under a Billion Suns (Subpop)

March 14
Stephin Merritt: Showtunes (Non)

March 21
Appleseed Cast: Peregrine (Militia Group)
Editors: The Back Room (Fader)
Liars: Drum's Not Dead (Mute)
Placebo: Meds (Astralwerks)
Richard Ashcroft : Keys to the World (EMI)
Mates of State: Bring it Back (Barsuk)
Mojave 3: Puzzles Like You (4AD?)

Duly noted:

Radio Indie Pop is streaming the new Mogwai record (out Tuesday March 7)
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Irving got better. Record out April 4 on Eenie Meenie. Look and listen.
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Madonna, Daft Punk and Massive Attack join line-up for Coachella (April 29-30).
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Final Destination 3 is not worth $9.75 because the characters are mad dumb.
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90210 on Soapnet update: Dylan's father may still be alive; Noah still a drunk; 9 more episodes till series ends. Pictured here is Dylan McKay as Bruce Springsteen in an undated video still.

Warlocks are on tour with Sisters of Mercy starting tomorrow March 2 in Florida. Playing Webster Hall in New York March 6.

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Editors (a recent buzz band that I haven't yet heard) and stellastarr* (a previous buzz band that I've heard ad naseum) are co-headlining a US Tour starting in Boston on March 20 and ending April 30 at Coachella. The bands will alternate the headline slot. Except in New York, where they are special and can play their own gigs.

March 26- New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom (stellastarr* only)
March 27- New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom (stellastarr* only)
March 28- Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw (both)
March 30- New York, NY @ Webster Hall (Editors only)

Editors’ debut album, The Back Room, to be released in the US on March 21. stellastarr*s second album, Harmonies For The Haunted, came out last year in the US and is out March 6 in the UK.
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YouTube is under construction. And I'm bugging out. Therefore, see this crazy tripped-out video from the Sw!ms on Google video. Their thrilling Ride of the Blueberry Winter is out today on Prison Jazz records.

advanced news:

Huge benefit show March 20 at Hammerstein Ballroom where you can be both cheered and booed for making comments about the USA in the Mid East. Line-up includes: Michael Stipe, Rufus Wainwright, Bright Eyes, Fischerspooner (who should be playing by themselves), Peaches, Devendra Banhart, Steve Earle (who I had to listen to one time in a car on the way to NYC).
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My Morning Jacket nominated for Jammy awards because apparently they are a jam band.
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Metropolis Records signed Gary Numan. It's about time. They also signed an indie rock band called Ken (!?).
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Ex-Nitzer Ebb member Bon Harris (the one that didn't sing industrial-dance songs such as "Join in the Chant") is the frontman of a new band called Maven. There's some songs on myspace previewing an upcoming release. Now I know why the other guy in Nitzer Ebb sang.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs- "Gold Lion". Record out in March.

The Sw!ms: Ride of the Blueberry Winter (Prison Jazz)
release: February 28, 2006
rating: ***1/2
similar: Of Montreal, Dressy Bessy, SNMNMNM, Marbles

These guys are fun. Mad fun. Pennsylvania's Sw!ims has got a solid hold on a glorious blend of psychedelic indie pop by way of superific vocal harmonies, a Farfisa organ and a keen sense of arrangements. It's impossible to believe this band has members of noise band An Albatross. But they do. Fun times. -Kenyon

Duly noted:

A collaboration between AOL (for which Kenyon has workd) and Blender (for which Kenyon has merely applied) began last week. Blender's March issue features a list of "50 Most Awesomely Dead Rock Stars." Real smooth, guys.
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Albumart.org will be pretty handy.
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Elefant is on tour right now with BRMC. Record out April 18.
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The 2006 US Air Guitar regional competition begins March 2 at the Knitting Factory in New York, with competitions in at least 10 other cities. US Air Guitar Championship in June 2006. US Finalist will compete in Finland for Air Guitar World Championship. From there, they will compete in the Galaxy Championship.

Finally, someone is making fun of photos of people's cats on Myspace. Watch the video for the super rad song "Great Escape" by We Are Scientists, where three really is a crowd. I expect to be addicted to YouTube in about....10 minutes.

Whoa, how'd I miss this? The shocking photo of Boy George from a few months ago reveals that he likes the Misfits. Seriously, though, the scary thing is that he actually looked better with all that paint on his face.

Duly noted:

I finally just saw Abandon (2002), a would-be psychological thriller starring Katie Holmes. There's a quick scene where some college kids are partying and the music playing is "Tides of the Moon" by Mercury Rev. A small highlight in an otherwise dull film.


"Our House" by Madness has been torn to shreds in the latest commercial from Maxwell House.

"I Want Candy" by Bow Wow Wow was ruined for Reese's.

First worst song of the year nomination goes to that collaboration with Santana and Steven Tyler. Neither deserve to be in bold.

It's funny how hardcore, metal and punk barely get any props on the ultra-cool blogs. Must be that demographic thing with the angsty teenagers and all. Not that I listen to much of it, but hey, sometimes I do like to jump around, pounce on my bed and destroy hotel rooms. Last year's Everytime I Die record, for example, was really great for that, and these select and varied recent releases follow suit.


Small Arms Dealer: A Single Unifying Theory (Deep Elm)
release: February 7, 2006
rating: ***1/2

As I was reading through this Long Island band's info sheet, I started highlighting the one press quote. Then I realized that they were quoting ME. No kidding. It was from when I reviewed the local band's first EP for the Long Island Press. So, I may be sounding like Mick Jones sampling the Clash, but here it is: "These songs are wonderously fresh, as if it's the members' first band [ex-On the Might of Princes, Devil Himself, etc]. The lyrics, which have a foot in such disparate things as death and remaining positive, are thankfully not compromised or buried in guitar noise. Just reading the excerpts won't do justice to these punk-rock gems." So true, I agree. This full-length (on Deep Elm, rather impressive!), has more fantastic punk sing-alongs, uplifting lyrics and rocking riffs. Very few clean tracks with the "F" word, however, are gonna create a challenge for playing on my radio show. Whoops! -Kenyon

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Enlow: The Recovery (Blood & Ink)
release: January 24, 2006
rating: **1/2

This Oklahoma hardcore band is probably really intense live. I can just picture them at hometown VFW hall shows swinging their guitars around and basically kicking ass. The Recovery has some wicked guitar riffs and chant-alongs. I can't say I haven't heard this all before, but their messages via song titles such as "Stand Up and Face Your Fears" and lyrics such as "We've come this far, we're not stopping now" have to count for something. -Kenyon

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In Flames: Come Clarity (Ferret)
release: February 7, 2006
rating: ****

Well, I can't even believe I'm reviewing this right now. Veteran band In Flames is supposed to be melodic death metal from Sweden (melodic death metal? no way!). They may have been a lot more death metal on previous records, but this one is mostly void of it. And it's actually pretty impressive. Which means the time is right for In Flames to grab hold of a whole new crowd of kids. The campaign for this record is pretty huge, so it wouldn't surprise me if the band broke big. Hell, they even sent it to someone who doesn't otherwise cover metal. Oh..the music. Okay, I'll tell you this: old school metal guitar solos. If I had a metal show on the radio, I would totally play this. Every week. But it's more likely you'll hear this on FUSE's metal show on a Saturday night. -Kenyon

SIANspheric: RGB (Sonic Unyon)
release: February 21, 2006 (USA)

Retrospective CD: ****
Retrospective DVD: 1/2*

Canadian space-rock band SIANspheric, who released a small handful of records through various line-up changes within the past decade, isn't interesting enough for a retrospective that supposedly documents "petty in-fighting, drug-abuse, break-ups and cash-grab reunions." (Spacemen 3 they are not!) If they really are worthy of a Behind the Music-type feature, the footage of the band sure doesn't show it. In fact, it's difficult to figure out what in the world is even going on in the footage on the DVD. Here's a stab at it though: In the early days the band members, who are never identified, drive to some gigs, two of them get really high, they play some really shitty shows. Audience members are even quoted about it being so awful. Nothing happens 1997-1999 (the "black years"). The rest is some super boring live footage and interviews where the band members are again not identified and continue to act far less mysterious and cool than you were hoping for. The two pretentious short films have little to do with the band and there's only one music video here worth watching. Bummer.

The audio portion of RGB does a much better job representing the most compelling components of the band, like the buzzing that comes from its guitars and the heavy reverb on its vocals. The 15 tracks, including a few unreleased, are a satisfying introductory to the band. If the DVD hasn't already tainted the perception of SIANsperic, put on the CD, close your eyes or create your own simple visuals using a flashlight and some hand puppets. -Kenyon

Stay up Late While on a Road to Nowhere. Or, remember that time i met David Byrne?



Rhino just reissued all eight proper albums from the Talking Heads. The latter four of them, including one of my personal favorites, Little Creatures, are out today. The remastered, repackaged and refurnished albums contain rare bonus tracks on the CD side. The DVD side features audio, video, lyrics and photos.


If you're not already hip to the Heads (oh and they called themselves that when without David Byrne), here's a streaming sampler.

Dude, the third record from the Vines is out April 4 (holy jesus, it'll be Spring then!) Honestly, I thought they were finished as a band. Listen to the first single "Don't Listen to the Radio." Even though it's only two minutes just like their first hit "Get Free," it's still better than anything from their previous record. Oh yes. I did sit through the painful Winning Days in order to write a review. Pity me!

evil dead image

Sigur Ros is on Conan O'Brien tonite.

The Prodigy: Their Law- The Singles 1990-2005 (XL)
release: February 28, 2006


In 1997-98 the Prodigy were kicking serious ass (more so, of course, in the UK). The videos were dope, Fat of the Land was bursting with big-beating energy and its shows (two manic vocalists in front and two dudes programming the music in the back) was genius. This two-cd set captures all of that and then some. Only thing is, you gotta pretend that much of this is not semi-dated. Fatboy Slim, Crystal Method, Orbital and a few other '90s electronic dance artists are now suffering from a lack of evolution and changing trends. What (almost completely) saves the Prodigy from that fate is that their music was darker and more intense than Fatboy or Chemical Brothers. Hits "Breathe", "Firestarter" and "Smack My Bitch Up" all still hold up well and will get club kids on the dancefloor, but dizzying cuts like "Out of Space" and "Voodoo People" unavoidably belong to the rave/techno culture of the '90s, given the loopy looping vocals and ultra-high pitched orchestra hits. Still, this thorough collection, which includes remixes, live and a few unreleased tracks, is an essential page in electronic music history. -Kenyon

Notes: Comes with photo booklet. DVD of the same title, with videos and concert footage, will be released the same day. Select dates in the US include March 22 @Nokia Theatre, New York.

the Grammy Awards for this Wednesday are wack.

Ministry was nominated for Best Metal performance for the song "The Great Satan," a typical Ministry mosh which is the only new song on a comp called Rantology that is lightyears from "Stigmata" and probably about George Bush.

Kraftwerk was nominated for best electronic/dance album for Minimum-Maximum. This is a LIVE album of songs they wrote over the PAST 30 YEARS.

Daft Punk was nominated in the same category and that record is totally wack up the gazoo.

The REST OF THIS is meaninglessness.

The Strokes: First Impressions of Earth (RCA)
release: January 3, 2006 (whoops!)
rating: *

Releasing a record on the first Tuesday of the year is practically unheard of. Mostly, labels are still putting out repackaged greatest hits albums or better yet, still on vacation. Furthermore, releasing around January 1 has now turned out to be just like what the movie industry does, throwing out the leftovers that they know won't be candidates for best of the year. This album proves it! And knowing that "Juicebox" is the first single from First Impressions of Earth is a good indication of what a mess this third album is. The Strokes were either really drunk or weren't interested in melodies or both. There are a few good spots here. Just a few. And they are few and far between. Very far. Julian Casablancas just might be singing about something more serious and introspective this time but the music isn't good enough to care. "Fear of Sleep," at least, is a small highlight and has slight emotional impact. It's a tiny climax on an otherwise lifeless album that is generally painful to hear. If anything, the Strokes made it a point to release the first big let down of the year. -Kenyon


March 3 and 4 in NYC. Sold out. Shout Out Louds and Adam Green (who put out his own excuse for a record one year ago) on various dates. at least the website looks pretty rad.

Village Voice Critics Poll is up. Find my top 10 albums and singles. Comments on the comments later.