Reviews Archives - Page 3 of 11 - musings from boston

Tally Ho! The Clean Conquer Allston!

On June 5, 2012

Hamish Kilgour of The Clean, at Brighton Music Hall

Hamish and David Kilgour of The Clean, at Brighton Music Hall

It’s easy to be cynical about music these days, with so many bland, mediocre bands that commandeer the increasingly homogeneous radio airwaves and mainstream media. But there are those rare moments when a group of musicians have that special synergy and love of performance, that can transcend everything else and make all those years seem to instantly vanish. We’re all back at the beginning, when everything was fresh and exciting. The joy of discovery, and of rediscovery. All Hail The Clean!

For those who can catch one of their few remaining shows here on the East Coast, they’re also selling a very limited edition 2LP vinyl pressing of “Oddities,” their 1994 Flying Nun release. Rolling Stone talks about it in their article today. The first 200 pressings of the 1000 total are on very pretty yellow vinyl. Really nice.

See my loving appreciation – and the rest of their handful of U.S. tour dates – on Ryan’s Smashing Life.

Robert Scott

Robert Scott and Hamish Kilgour

This is pretty close, though they (sadly) didn't play Beatnik

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Warm Weather’s First Visit to Boston – The Middle East 5/14/12

By julie

On May 21, 2012

In Reviews

It was an odd communion: a night of band-audience bonding, angelic harmonies and a surreal mini-musical soap opera episode. There was a relatively small but surprisingly boisterous and supportive crowd for a Monday night, and Ryan commented how it was like playing for a bunch of friends at home. I had expected the gentle melodies and bucolic harmonies from their two eps, and I certainly got that, but what I also got were some furious jams, mind-bending ethereal to thrasher mood swings, and a heaping helping of unhinged madness in the form of an over-the-top rendition of R. Kelly’s “Trapped in the Closet Chapter Two.” The original is bizarre enough, but Warm Weather’s version, with guitarist Ryan in a long blond wig, was truly inspired and something they seemed perfectly well-suited for (what this says, I’m not sure). It was a wonderfully camp adventure, though at the same time convincing as a piece of musical theater, as these guys have the moves and the vocal chops to pull it off.

Warm Weather videos:

Bull Run / (Be My Baby) | #2 | #3 | Trapped in the Closet Chapter Two (R. Kelly)
(still getting familiar with their recordings; song titles coming… eventually)

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Music for the Soul: An Evening with Christopher Paul Stelling and Julia Christgau (at Precinct in Somerville)

By julie

On May 2, 2012

In Indie Music, Reviews

It’s a testament to this fine performer that eleven days after Christopher Paul Stelling’s mid-evening set at Precinct, I still have a vivid memory of it. I’d written about him a few times here, marveling at his lightening-fast finger picking style and impossibly warm and soulful vocals, but wasn’t able to get out to see him the last time he was in town (also at Precinct).

CP’s music and his live performance has this religious fervor that’s both deeply moving and overpowering. It’s in his eyes – wide and piercing, as if remembering some especially vivid night horror. I was instantly drawn in and fascinated by this solitary figure standing on a piece of plywood, stamping out a beat with his boots, fingers flying fluidly across his beat-up acoustic guitar, and vocals compelling like a hellfire-and-brimstone revivalist but without the preaching and damnation.

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The Parson Red Heads’ “Murmurations” Out March 20; SXSW shows and beyond

By julie

On March 12, 2012

In Gigs, Indie Music, Reviews

There are few sounds more soothing than the upbeat, hopeful tunes and 3-part harmonies of The Parson Red Heads. Last I saw them, they were in the middle of a grueling tour to support their wonderful album Yearling, the band (and Evan in particular) valiantly fighting a nasty cold that was in full bloom for their Great Scott appearance. On their new EP, the 6-track Murmurations (out March 20 on Timber Carnival Records), there’s some somber thoughts and a wistful quality that adds considerable depth to a band I’ve already greatly admired.

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A Unique Evening with Jonathan Spottiswoode and Amy Correia at the Lizard Lounge

By julie

On March 10, 2012

In Indie Music, Reviews, Show Previews

Spottiswoode (solo – ‘sans Enemies’) with Amy Correia and band
The Lizard Lounge
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
show at 8:30pm | 21+ | $10 ::purchase tickets::

In April of last year, Jonathan Spottiswoode & his Enemies released Wild Goosechase Expedition, depicting the travels of a rock band on a doomed tour. It’s an eclectic album full of sprawling big band blues, gentle balladry, somber piano pieces, flat out rockers, and some wacky ‘novelty type’ numbers with sharp social commentary. And then there’s the title track, which defies description. Totally over the top, but delightfully so. In part due to his distinctive, theatrical vocals and the crazed carnivalesque jazzy feel, at times he can invoke a little Frank Zappa. Frank Zappa fronting a free jazz band.

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On The Outside, Looking In –The Story of Baby Hawk

By julie

On March 8, 2012

In Indie Music, Reviews

As told by Rademacher

Rademacher’s IndieGoGo campaign

On the cusp of South by Southwest, excitement is building – stoked bands who’ve been awarded one of the coveted showcases, madly swirling PR campaigns, masses of fans and bloggers that descend on Austin, the parties, the mythical RSL Outlaw Roadshow…

For a band to play SXSW, whether by official invitation or sheer determination to land a gig somewhere on the periphery, is considered a badge of honor. The days of being “discovered” by a label and given a big money record deal are long gone, but it’s still a great music festival and a place to make connections. Musicians back in their hometown watch the flurry of activity and make their own plans to “get there next year.”

And then there’s Rademacher. A wonderful little indie rock band from Fresno, California — within close enough tossing range of L.A.’s Eastside to be considered part of that scene. They just released the third installment of their ‘EP triology,’ Baby Hawk, which tells the tale of a struggling indie band on the verge of great things, though just a hair shy of arrival — a day late, a dollar short, if you will. It’s a DIY primer, their musical autobiography.

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Best Shows of 2011: My Top 5 Personal Favorites

By julie

On December 31, 2011

In Indie Music, Reviews

Levon Helm, Crooked Fingers, Toyah Willcox with The Humans

Ok, so last year I had a ‘Top 10’ list. What can I say; 2011 was kind of a struggle. But I did discover a common theme for this year’s favorites: delivering a stellar performance in the face of adversity. Whether it was a legendary performer who had overcome personal struggles to come back, absolutely blazing (Toyah Wilcox, Levon Helm, and Eric Bachmann with his band Crooked Fingers); or just a rough night (lead singer Evan Way of The Parson Red Heads being really sick but soldiering on anyway, and The Drowning Men and their ‘road trip from hell’); my soaring admiration combined with musical prowess to create these special evenings.

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Alela Diane & Wild Divine with The Parson Red Heads @ Brighton Music Hall (6/15/11)

By julie

On June 23, 2011

In Indie Music, Reviews

Evan and Brette Marie Way of The Parson Red Heads

In addition to being greatly impressed with the musical prowess of Alela Diane and her band Wild Divine, I was also greatly impressed with her fans. Going out to a club to see a singer-songwriter, folk band, or similarly delicate and nuanced music can be a dicey proposition. That it was The Parson Red Heads‘ first ever Boston appearance gave me even more anxiety. I wanted it to be special. I wanted to be able to actually hear them. To my surprise and great pleasure, the crowd was quiet and attentive during the Parsons’ set, despite the fact that few had ever heard of them. They repaid the favor by treating us to a beautiful, heartfelt set of songs with strong focus on their upcoming album.

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Review: Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling: Questions Are A Burden To Others

By julie

On June 5, 2011

In Boston Bands, Indie Music, Reviews

You can say that Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling has a thing for British cult classic TV show The Prisoner. After all, they’re named for its 13th episode. Their debut release last year, The New Number 2 (referencing one of the show’s characters) featured tracks such as “Episode 1: Arrival” and Episode 2: Dance of the Dead” (actual episodes). Their new EP, Questions are a Burden to Others (taken from a sign in the first episode, the rest of it being “answers a prison for oneself”) continues on this curious theme.

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Review: SchoolTree: My Metal Mother

By julie

On June 5, 2011

In Boston Bands, Indie Music, Reviews

album artwork by Molly Zenobia

Forgive the long absence. I’m way behind on new music (and old music), so I’ll get right down to it. Here’s the first in a series of some recent releases from Boston-area bands. And when I say “recent”, I mean since February. In this installment, Broadway-by-way-of-Danceteria chanteuse Lainey SchoolTree has an elegant new album, My Metal Mother.

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screams, whispers and songs from planet earth

Category: Reviews Page 3 of 11

Tally Ho! The Clean Conquer Allston!

Warm Weather’s First Visit to Boston – The Middle East 5/14/12

Music for the Soul: An Evening with Christopher Paul Stelling and Julia Christgau (at Precinct in Somerville)

The Parson Red Heads’ “Murmurations” Out March 20; SXSW shows and beyond

A Unique Evening with Jonathan Spottiswoode and Amy Correia at the Lizard Lounge

On The Outside, Looking In –The Story of Baby Hawk

Best Shows of 2011: My Top 5 Personal Favorites

Alela Diane & Wild Divine with The Parson Red Heads @ Brighton Music Hall (6/15/11)

Review: Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling: Questions Are A Burden To Others

Review: SchoolTree: My Metal Mother