Wilco Spreads The Love On Labor Day Weekend

Over the weekend Wilco treated fans to a sneak peak at their new album "The Whole Love" by streaming it on their website for 24 hours.  Although not much notice was given leading up to Saturday I managed to get in 2 listens.  For those who aren't Wilco fans I've got bad news... it's gonna be a long year for you because this album is good and will be talked about a lot.  The opening track 'Art of Almost' has drums and guitars echoing a song you'd expect from Radiohead.  Other instant standouts, 'Dawned on Me' and 'Born Alone', showcase Jeff Tweedy's gifted songwriting and the classic Wilco sound.  Based on those 2 listens I already enjoy this album more then their recent releases.  Check out a couple of the album's highlights below and get the new album out on September 27th!

New To Me: Neon Indian

While searching for some new music to listen to while doing laundry and dishes (I know, exciting...) I saw Neon Indian's new album "Era Extrana" available on NPR's Exclusive First Listen.  Having heard the name tossed around I figured I'd give it a shot.  I'm damn glad I did.  Electronic pop can walk a fine line with my musical taste but this album easily surpassed my expectations.  It had my head bopping and my feet moving which is a great first sign in my book.  Follow the link below to hear the entire album up until it's release.
First Listen - Neon Indian 'Era Extrana'

Concert Review: My Morning Jacket @ The Merriweather Post Pavillion, MD 8/12/11

My Morning Jacket are truly a musical force to be reckoned with.  I've seen them a handful of times and they have yet to disappoint.  This show was particularly memorable however since I witnessed it from the pit, only a few feet from the stage!  Excitement and energy flowed and reciprocated between the band and the crowd up front.  Some of my highlights included: the traditional glow-stick war during 'Gideon', an 18 minute 'Dondante', 'Phone Went West', 'I Will Sing You Songs' (a personal favorite), and a cover of 'Islands In The Stream' with Neko Case.

Also thanks to a dedicated taper named Alex Leary I woke up the next morning to an excellent recording of the show.  You can Listen/Download the show here at the Live Music Archive.
 My Morning Jacket-Phone Went West-Columbia, MD 6/12/11 by Ledjam311


Setlist:
1-Victory Dance
2-Circuital
3-Off The Record
4-I'm Amazed
5-Gideon
6-Outta My System
7-Golden
8-Evil Urges
9-Mahgeetah
10-Slow Slow Tune
11-Dondante
12-Smokin From Shootin
13-First Light ~ RunThru (end)
14-Movin Away
15-Phone Went West
16-Holdin Onto Black Metal
17-I Will Sing You Songs
18-Wordless Chorus
19-The Day Is Coming
20-Islands In The Stream (with Neko Case)
21-Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt. 2
22-Highly Suspicious
23-One Big Holiday

Boot: Death Cab For Cutie - Hollywood, CA 6/7/11

Last weekend I got to see an excellent performance by Death Cab at The Mann in Philly.  They've put together some great setlists during this tour, showcasing their new album "Codes & Keys" and dusting off some gems from the past.  Here's a show I came across from earlier this summer at the El Rey Theatre in Hollywood.
 Death Cab For Cutie - Stay Young, Go Dancing [6.7.11] by Ledjam311
Setlist:
1- Title Track
2 - The New Year
3 - Why You'd Want To Live Here
4 - Crooked Teeth
5 - Photobooth
6 - Doors Unlocked And Open
7 - Long Division
8 - Grapevine Fires
9 - Codes And Keys
10 - What Sarah Said
11 - I Will Possess Your Heart
12 - I Will Follow You Into The Dark
13 - You Are A Tourist
14 - Underneath The Sycamore
15 - Company Calls
16 - Company Calls Epilogue
17 - Portable Television
18 - A Movie Script Ending
19 - Soul Meets Body
20 - Cath
21 - The Sound Of Settling
22 - Encore Break
23 - Stay Young, Go Dancing
24 - Title And Registration
25 - Transatlanticism
Download: Death Cab For Cutie - El Rey, CA 6/7/11

New To Me: Cults

Although I may be a little late to the 'Cults' train I'm definitely on board.  I really dig their retro sound.  Their self titled debut album came out a few months ago, be sure to give it a listen.

Concert Review: Eddie Vedder - Tower Theatre, Upper Darby 6/25/11

The evening (or afternoon for many) began at the Waterford Bar & Grill, conveniently located adjacent to The Tower.  Inside, the Waterford was packed with local fans as well as dedicated travelers from across the country and probably the globe.  Patrons interacted, sharing thoughts and stories about Pearl Jam & Ed while enjoying some beverages before the show.

Ed took the stage shortly before 9pm, opening with several songs of his new album "Ukulele Songs".  The simple stage setup, 1 man & 1 ukulele, created an intimate setting among the crowd of several thousand.  The remainder of the set consisted of a mix of songs by Pearl Jam, the Into The Wild soundtrack, and a cover of Bob Dylan's 'Girl From The North Country'.

The highlights of the show for me were during the encore.  Opening the first encore was 'Parting Ways', a hauntingly beautiful and often overlooked song off of Pearl Jam's "Binaural".  The emotional peak of the evening however came when Ed introduced Jake Clemens, nephew of the late Clarence Clemens, and invited him on stage to play sax for a song.  Ed, Jake, and opening act Glen Hansard played 'Drive All Night' by Bruce Springsteen, a touching tribute to the sax legend, ending with Jake holding his sax up in the air to thunderous applause.

Ed has a unique way of connecting with the audience.  The stories and observations he shares feel like a one on one conversation with everyone in attendance.  I've seen Pearl Jam/Ed many times and I often distinguish between the shows not only by the songs that were played but by those stories and surprises that separate each show and make them an individual experience.

Setlist:
Waving Palms
Can't Keep

Sleeping By Myself

Without You

Goodbye

Broken Heart

Light Today

You're True
Girl From The North Country
I Am Mine
Betterman
Just Breathe
Far Behind
Long Nights
Lukin
Guaranteed
Rise
Unthought Known
Speed of Sound
Arc
--Encore 1--
Parting Ways
You've Got To Hide Your Love Away
Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town
Tonight You Belong To Me

Society

Falling Slowly

Drive All Night

Porch

--Encore 2--

Hard Sun

Halfway Thru 2011...

This time of year everyone starts to reflect and compile a list of the albums that have been released since the beginning of 2011.  With so much music out there something always seems to fall through the cracks for me and these lists can be a good guide of what I may have missed.  Here are a few that I came across along with my own obligatory list.

• Stereogum's "Top 20 Albums of 2011 So Far"
• Stereogum's "Top 12 Albums Overlooked By Stereogum's Best of 2011 So Far" ...my personal fav
• SPIN's "25 Best Albums of 2011 So Far"
• WXPN's "2011 Halftime Report"

My personal favorites...in no particular order:

"The People's Key" by Bright Eyes

"Helplessness Blues" by Fleet Foxes

"Circuital" by My Morning Jacket

"Gimme Some" by Peter Bjorn and John

"Zonoscope" by Cut Copy

"Torches" by Foster The People

"In Light" by Givers

"Rocket Science" by Bela Fleck & The Flecktones

"Middle Brother" by Middle Brother

"Ukulele Songs" by Eddie Vedder