Sing me Spanish techno

Going to The New Pornographers show at the Trocadero in Philadelphia tonight. Exciting band I haven't seen live yet - my first time to this venue, too.



I'm listening to Together now, their latest disc released a couple weeks ago. Unmistakable-characteristic sound, maybe a little more Neko influence on the pace and tone in a few songs. General consensus seems to be that 2005's Twin Cinema represents the band at its best, but I'm partial to Challengers - an album I place in the contemporary prerequisite category (e.g. - "Z" by My Morning Jacket, Hot Fuss by The Killers, Speak for Yourself by Imogen Heap, The Crane Wife by The Decemberists, Dog Problems by The Format, Narrow Stairs by Death Cab for Cutie, Funeral by Arcade Fire, A Ghost is Born by Wilco, et cetera).

Looking forward to a good evening.

Sweet album cover

Featuring Battery Steele, based on image and suggestion by adventphotography.

Best of 2009

Fire fire fire

Still discovering gems on my iPod from sister's music collection. The latest:



FIGHTIN'S
Pedro Martinez pitched a pretty good game last night, his first for the Phillies. And the offense was in top form against the Cubs starter, scoring 12 ERA-bruising runs in the first four innings. Pleasant aroma of postseason brewing.

Apprehension [armistice]

Ok, I had concerns. Like Arrested Development: The Movie, I was beginning to wonder if this album was ever going to happen. The initial release date came and went, months passed, reports had MuteMath in discord - scrapping all progress, at the brink of collapse. They eked out a brief EP that didn't reveal much. Also, there's this personal psychological factor, apprehension about a mediocre second effort undermining or deflating my appreciation for the first album and the band's outlook (see: Sam's Town).



Fears allayed. Armistice packs a progressive punch - all that could be hoped for in the next MuteMath album. Well worth the worry and the wait; everything grows, contributes, high-engergy, full sound. Live should be awesome.

MMLP

The MuteMath mobile-listening bus will be parked near Philadelphia tomorrow. I'll be aboard partying, hearing the new album, and collecting the merch.

The ticket

Discovered my Wilco ticket behind the storm door at the front entrance to the house yesterday. It was sitting there for a week, glad to finally have it in hand. On the horizon:

DEUTSCHE BANK CHAMPIONSHIP
Labor Day weekend, 2009. Heading up to Boston again to catch some playoff golf, third sequential year. Ticket's in the mail, jawohl!

AP Photo/Mary Schwalm

MUTEMATH FALL TOUR
The band is still together and will be touring to promote their overdue followup album, Armistice. They released an EP a few months ago with different versions of the single "Spotlight." Hoping the bulk of the new album is closer in spirit to the SON LUX remix than the standard issue (which shows up in the Twilight soundtrack). Regardless, I will be attending a concert; MuteMath is a must-see live performance.

Special extradition

L E D ⋅ Z E P P E L I N
Both of those Physical Graffiti discs have been like medicine recently. The crackly fourth-press vinyl version in Grand Rapids was solid, too.

Harvey Keitel's character from Taxi Driver would fit right in this album cover, loitering on the stoop. Hey, Paul Schrader.

W I L C O
Less than a year ago I hoped that Wilco would come back to Delaware. Last Friday I purchased a ticket to see them play Frawley Stadium in July. This venue excites me, I think it's funny that real bands (like Night Ranger) play there.



*Three shows later Wilco appears at the Maine State Pier in Portland.....hmm..