Thursday, March 31, 2011

KZME Radio Blog: The Local Artist Speaks: STEPHANIE SCHNEIDERMAN

KZME Radio Blog: The Local Artist Speaks: STEPHANIE SCHNEIDERMAN: "Stephanie Schneiderman is a busy lady. She has always been a busy gal. She has six albums out in the world, has done some acting and coor..."

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

“Congratulations, You Suck”!

“Congratulations, You Suck”!




Posted by Nikki Benson

http://www.seattleshowgal.com/congratulations-you-suck/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=congratulations-you-suck

Check out this new video by J Minus. It’s rare that Claymations make me want to cry, but this one did. “Congratulations, You Suck” is about a man who keeps going back to the woman that he loves. Unfortunately, the woman that he loves hates him. For all of you who identify with that story, I’ll meet you in a support group. For now, check out this video that is as funny as it is sad. All of the claymation nuances, or should I say, cluances are pretty cool. It’s the new Adult Swim.

(Right click, “Save Link As” to download) J Minus – “Congratulations, You Suck”

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Managing to make so many elements work together instead of against each other: PAPER TONGUES

http://metrospirit.com/index.php?cat=1993101070394080&ShowArticle_ID=13031708101091607


Issue #22.04 ::


Paper Tongues' “Paper Tongues”

BY JOSH RUFFIN

Paper Tongues

“Paper Tongues” A&M/Octone Records

Available Now

PaperTongues.ning.com

When a band deigns to describe its own sound, it typically overestimates the actual scope of its influences. For instance, you put out a press release touting yourselves as “heavy, riff-oriented metal; characterized by tight rhythms, unbound fury, and powerful vocals; for fans of Lamb of God, Black Label Society, and Hell Yeah.” Translation: you sound like Godsmack. Hell, maybe you ARE Godsmack—in which case, you are scientifically the worst thing to happen to music since Steven Vai wired his ego to his dong and ran them both through Pro Tools. You sound like James Hetfield’s extra chromosome.

My hatred for bro-dude rock aside, Paper Tongues describe themselves as “club rock,” which is surprisingly accurate, and even more surprisingly not a bad thing. The Charlotte-based septet crank out a rare genus of hyperactive pop-rock anthems that are equally appropriate for top-down strip-cruising, background kegger soundtracks, and motocross-themed action montages, with a palate as varied as that list: lead single “Ride to California” would be a generic party tune in lesser hands, but these guys manage to deliver a stylistic brain-punch. Dub, hip-hop, electronica, rock, reggaeton…it’s all there, it all works, and that’s just one song. The steady-paced “Trinity” is all kinds of glowstick-ready, and “Get Higher’s” deceptively simplistic rock template provides singer Aswan North—think a Freddie Mercury doppelganger raised on the Beastie Boys and Aerosmith—the opportunity to deliver one of the year’s most impressive vocal performances.

Managing to make so many elements work together instead of against each other is an accomplishment in itself, but that’s almost beside the point. Paper Tongues have somehow accomplished the impossible: being unabashedly “mainstream” while bringing something undeniably fresh to the table. You like this band…even if you don’t know it yet.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Ever wondered where you might find pop-folk heaven? THE WINEBIRDS

http://www.fensepost.com/main/2010/08/24/the-winebirds-seance-hill-album-review/



The Winebirds: Séance Hill [Album Review]

 by Ron Trembath No Comment Tags: Portland, winebirds

Ever wondered where you might find pop-folk heaven? Well, one thing is certain; you probably have to hike to the top of Séance Hill. Here you might find the likes of Loudon Wainwright and Kimya Dawson passing a joint amongst the more youthful versions of themselves. Jointly, their successors would be known as The Winebirds. While kicking away all the glitz and indie glamour of their Portland hometown, this vocal swapping band has created something so soothing and downright cute you might find yourself hugging random puppies, and then you’ll tip-toe through the tulips growing in the indie rock prairie you once thought you fully understood.

Amongst a keyboard-focused scenery, Séance Hill features a dozen lovely tracks that are perfect for a sunny day in love, or a smoky room only open to the lonely. The soft spoken and harmony driven cut “Out In The Van” solidifies their already glorious reputation as a new and improved Fleetwood Mac. This might even be more obvious on the extremely catchy “The Solution”. Although their sound is amazing, it might just by their lyrical prowess that is most appealing. They speak of the simplest aspects of the disoriented reality we call life with a heartwarming manner that everyone should know before they’re dead and gone.

The Winebirds are, in the most convenient of definitions, simply sublime. And Séance Hill is prime real estate for anybody looking or a refreshing bit of nuance in their record collection. So pour yourself a nice glass of zinfandel, and throw all your pretentious worries aside. If you can’t feel good listening to this, then you most definitely have no soul whatsoever.

Download: “Out In The Van” by The Winebirds
Download: “The Solution” by The Winebirds

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Exclusive: Strength, “Brandy,” Mind-Reader (Self-Released)

http://blogs.wweek.com/music/2010/08/18/exclusive-strength-brandy-mind-reader-self-released/



Back in the mid-aughts, Strength was the talk of Portland. The funk-electro-soul-pop group’s sound was fun but relatively earnest—despite the fact that Strength began as an art school band—and there was a Michael Jackson/Prince vibe to what Strength was doing that was otherwise absent from the Portland music scene.

Until the band’s appearance at last year’s PDX Pop festival, we had kinda started to wonder if Strength was done for. WIth only a single album to its name—2006 full-length Going Strong—it seemed that the band might be banished to the dustbins of Portland music history. But that’s all changed: Mind-Reader, Strength’s long-awaited follow-up, comes out in early September (with a release show Sept. 3 at Holocene with Fake Drugs, DJ Copy and DJ Patricia Furpurse).

“Brandy,” perhaps the sexiest sex-jam on Mind-Reader (and an early favorite from Strength fans), reminds of Beck or Chromeo with its tongue-in-(your)-cheek seduction. But anyone who has seen Strength live can attest to the fact that the group takes its sultry side very, very seriously. When Bailey Winters sings “let me put you in my car—it’s a big car,” he’s keenly aware of the humorous sentiment, but he’s also deadpan as hell in wanting to screw the listener’s brains out.

On the musical front, too, Strength’s irony is far outweighed by its desire to make every element—from the synth bassline to the echoing, minimal guitar strums and all the Thriller-esque ambient noises—exactly right. It’s as if Strength wants to test society’s capacity for accepting the white-hot heat of its passion—despite the fact that they don’t fit the physical mold of R&B sexpots who usually croon songs like “Brandy.” Is the song ridiculous? Yeah, but no more ridiculous than any Top 40 R&B tune grabbed at random from the airwaves. What’s ridiculous is that these nerdy, skinny, white guys are making old-school sex-jams that sound this good. Our own expectations and stereotypes are driving the humor much more than the band itself.

But, at the end of the day, the actual idea of being rubbed down with brandy is kind of disgusting—and the persistence with which Winters demands his anonymous girl accepts a brandy rubdown is borderline creepy. Can we all agree on that?

The same cannot be said for all of Mind-Reader. This is a really well-balanced and impressive disc. It’s good to have Strength back in the land of the living, breathing, and sexing local music scene.

Links:

StrengthSpace

Download “Metal” from XO Publicity

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Harris’ Song of the Week: Ride To California by Paper Tongues

Harris’ Song of the Week: Ride To California by Paper Tongues


http://truthaboutmusic.com/truthaboutmusic/2010/08/05/harris-song-of-the-week-ride-to-california-by-paper-tongues/

By Harris



I’m really having trouble figuring out this song. One second I hate and the next I love it. Lucky for North Carolina’s Paper Tongues, right now I’m loving it. Although this is our song of the week, I’m going to start with the things which I haven’t bought into yet. The first (and most noticeable) feature of this band is the unique style of lead singer Aswan North. During the entire song, it sounds as if he is screaming at the very end of his breath while never coming up short of air. If you’ve never heard the band before this could be the first thing that makes your ears twitch.

The structure of the song is really fun and uptempo. From watching the music video, it seemed as if the band had thirty members. Checking the numbers, I came up with seven, a very large number for most alternative rock bands these days. With both a pair of keyboards and guitars, the band creates a sound that fuses modern electro with uptempo pop rock. It is certainly a winning combination. In 2009 this song peaked at #22 on Billboards Alternative char but is holding steady as we near the end of a 2010 summer that left me (and many music fans) feeling ripped off.

Although the summer is supposed to be a time of great new music, this summer has been lackluster to say the least. This song and handful of others will highlight the end of summer music drought that has plagued most of the US.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Are you tired of your father’s versions of psychedelic rock?

http://www.fensepost.com/main/2010/08/18/transient-songs-cave-syndrome-album-review/


Transient Songs: Cave Syndrome [Album Review]

Written by Ron Trembath



Are you tired of your father’s versions of psychedelic rock? It can be granted that the 70’s were the age for some of the finest LSD-related music and mishaps history will ever know. But, surely it becomes tiresome to constantly hear about Rush’s supposed futuristic nonsense, or Roger Water’s boring obsession with the sky, and not having anything of your own time for a real comparison. Well, degenerate hipsters and demon-friendly youth-mongers, you are in luck. Introducing: John Frum a.k.a. Transient Songs. Stick it to your old man you gentle monsters!



The dark flames of Frum’s appealing fury is evident and enlightening throughout Transient Songs’ album Cave Syndrome, which serves as a powerful demonstration of spaced-out rock and roll that is reminiscent of old times, yet strikingly fresh. Not every track is entirely complicated though. Take “Smoking Slows the Healing”, which has a well-blended nuance that pushes the envelope once sealed by Feral Children. But the notable spiraling essence of John’s eccentricity is at its most vulnerable with “Astoria”. And for the borderline hardcore fan in all of us, “Sin Through The Summer” is a delightful offshoot from the estranged.



Cave Syndrome is an album you can’t hear just once. It might require a few long drives in the summer sun or a quiet hiding spot beneath the winter moon to fully comprehend the excursion into the bizarre that Frum is desperately and accurately trying to convey. And if that midnight conversation with dear old Dad over a few PBR’s only leads him to despise your “new crap” called music, it’s probably safe to say that he would have loved them 35 years ago. Sadly enough, defiance can disappear with age and responsibility. But, quality spin-drifting rock and roll like this well never die.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Post-punk nugget "Austin's Birthday"

The Burning Hotels: Novels


(Miss Press)

By Doug Simpson



http://www.campuscircle.com/review.cfm?r=11480&h=The-Burning-Hotels-i-Novels-i



There must be something about bands with fire-related names: the Flamin'

Groovies, Jason & the Scorchers, the Fiery Furnaces. Now comes Texas

alt-rockers the Burning Hotels. Like those groups, this quartet wears

influences openly, but unlike the aforementioned, the Burning Hotels have

not yet learned to transcend inspirations.



On their first full-length, Novels, the Burning Hotels echo similar and more

famous acts. Post-punk nugget "Austin's Birthday" mimics the Killers, right

down to cloning Brandon Flowers' vocal mannerisms. Standout track "Boy or a

Girl" imitates the Strokes' boom and brash veneer. Melancholic romance

reverie "Silhouette" mirrors Coldplay.



While the Burning Hotels offer danceable alt-rock tunes fronted by sharp

guitars and enthusiastic rhythms, there is a lack of originality that too

often mires the material in the land of caricature. There are worse things

than sounding like the Strokes or the Killers, but hopefully on subsequent

outings the Burning Hotels will find their own voice.



Grade: C

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

FUEL.tv videotaping The Ro Sham Bo's at The Tube

FUEL.tv videotaping The Ro Sham Bo's at The Tube

http://portland.thedelimagazine.com/



I know this is RIDICULOUSLY short notice, considering the show is in, oh, two hours, but ungodly short notice is better than no notice at all, right?

The piano-driven, Tori Amos-esque trio, The Ro Sham Bo's, headed by the ever-so-talented Madeline Williams-Brownlee's burlesque vocals and cabaret-style keys, are playing a FREE show at THE TUBE TONIGHT at 9 pm.

And what's even cooler than a free show? Oh yeah, the fact that mother effing FUEL.tv will be videotaping the whole damn thing! So peel yourself off your couch, put on your dancing shoes, and for god's sake, brush your hair so you can look halfway decent on camera.

-Katrina Nattres

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Paper Tongues of Charlotte, NC is a genre bending dance/pop and hip-hop

http://www.performermag.com/pdf/Performer_Magazine_August_2010.pdf


PAGE 43



Paper Tongues of Charlotte, NC is a genre bending dance/pop and hip-hop

hybrid with the serious potential to become a super group. With raw vocals that

evoke Against Me! and rhymes that give Jay-Z a run for his money, this group has

been booking big gigs left and right. Such success is no surprise with their new

release Trinity. Paper Tongues could easily be mistaken for U2 with their flair for

that arena pop-rock sound.

Monday, March 21, 2011

WHITE ORANGE picture disc review on VINYLPHILE MAGAZINE

download whole mag issue here: http://vinylphilemag.com/pdf/vinylphile-005.pdf Review on page 34/40

White Orange ...And This is Why I Speak to You in Parables



Made in China Records (33-RPM 180g 12” single)MICR 002

I’m always interested in trying new music, so when I was offered the chance to listen to White Orange’s current 12” single, ...And This is Why I Speak to You in Parables, I leapt at it. White Orange is a band based in Portland, Oregan, and I would describe their music as sort of psychedelic progressive rock.

Containing just two tracks (the 13-minute title track is backed with Middle of the Riddle), this 12” single is a limited edition (of only 500 copies) picture disc. As suits this type of material, the bass, drums, and electric guitars are up front in the mix, with the bass and drums being particularly prominent (but not in a negative way).

Because it’s a picture disk, there’s a sort of vinyl rush that’s particularly audible on the lead in groove (I think I’m right in stating that all the picture discs I have suffer from this minor problem to some extent), but the good news is that the surfaces are free from other anomalies (i.e., tics and pops) and the pressing is flat.

The heavy cardboard sleeve is nice to see (although it is just a little tight; another millimetre or two on each side would make removing and replacing the record easier—but I quibble!), and for extra value a download code is included with the record. The digital download is available in several formats—including FLAC—and I think the band is to be applauded for this. This is a good record and independent bands need our support, so give this one a try! RT

Monday, March 14, 2011

March 16-21, SxSW!! shows for JESSIE TORRISI

March 16-21, SxSW!!




Wed, March 16, Red Shed Tavern, 8:30pm

The Abolitionist Tour, sponsored by Planet LA Records

8504 S. Congress Ave.



Thurs, March 17, Takoba, 6pm

1411 E. 7th St.



Fri, March 18, Dominican Jo's, TBA

515 S. Congress Ave.



Sun, March 19, Whole Foods Gateway, 1:15pm

The Abolitionist Tour, sponsored by Planet LA Records

9607 Research Blvd.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Transient Songs: Cave Syndrome [Album Review]

http://www.fensepost.com/main/2010/08/18/transient-songs-cave-syndrome-album-review/

Transient Songs: Cave Syndrome [Album Review]



Are you tired of your father’s versions of psychedelic rock? It can be granted that the 70’s were the age for some of the finest LSD-related music and mishaps history will ever know. But, surely it becomes tiresome to constantly hear about Rush’s supposed futuristic nonsense, or Roger Water’s boring obsession with the sky, and not having anything of your own time for a real comparison. Well, degenerate hipsters and demon-friendly youth-mongers, you are in luck. Introducing: John Frum a.k.a. Transient Songs. Stick it to your old man you gentle monsters!

The dark flames of Frum’s appealing fury is evident and enlightening throughout Transient Songs’ album Cave Syndrome, which serves as a powerful demonstration of spaced-out rock and roll that is reminiscent of old times, yet strikingly fresh. Not every track is entirely complicated though. Take “Smoking Slows the Healing”, which has a well-blended nuance that pushes the envelope once sealed by Feral Children. But the notable spiraling essence of John’s eccentricity is at its most vulnerable with “Astoria”. And for the borderline hardcore fan in all of us, “Sin Through The Summer” is a delightful offshoot from the estranged.

Cave Syndrome is an album you can’t hear just once. It might require a few long drives in the summer sun or a quiet hiding spot beneath the winter moon to fully comprehend the excursion into the bizarre that Frum is desperately and accurately trying to convey. And if that midnight conversation with dear old Dad over a few PBR’s only leads him to despise your “new crap” called music, it’s probably safe to say that he would have loved them 35 years ago. Sadly enough, defiance can disappear with age and responsibility. But, quality spin-drifting rock and roll like this well never die.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Rhythm Night Kicks Hard With Minnemann, Garibaldi, and Pridgen



Rhythm Night Kicks Hard With Minnemann, Garibaldi, and Pridgen


By Radim McCue, Photography by Robert Downs and Mike Tkacheff
http://www.drummagazine.com/features/post/rhythm-night-benefit-a-hit-with-fans/

Thomas Pridgen

Next up was Thomas Pridgen who killed the crowd with a series of solos played over his instrumental tracks. And, he followed it with hilarious Q&A session in which he gave serious and not so serious advice to the crowd. Best Thomas Tip: Keep your cymbals low so the audience can see you.
Special Thanks

DRUM! would like to thank all of the following organizations for their support of the Richie Hayward benefit: DW Drums, Zildjian, San Jose Jazz Fest, Evans, Pro-Mark, Remo, Sabian, Vic Firth, Yamaha Drums, KFOG, Dunnett, Lemmon Percussion, Audix, Hollywooddrum.com, San Jose Taiko, Drum Wallet, Capricious Skin Care, Drummerworld.com, Jamjaw.net, San Jose Pro Drum, Mikedolbear.com, TigerBill.com, Onlinedrummer.com

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

J minus' "Devil Music"

J minus' "Devil Music"




http://metrospirit.com/index.php?cat=1993101070394080&z_Issue_ID=13041008103296448&ShowArticle_ID=11011008101317487



BY JOSH RUFFIN
J minus

“Devil Music”

Jminus.com

A band’s appearance can be misleading, especially where publicity stills are involved. Tom Jones looks like a flamboyant banker; the Saturday Knights, a great hip-hop group out of Washington state, have a dude that looks like he works at a vegan market. And fronts a hardcore group on the side. Of course, band members typically just stand beside some railroad tracks or lean against a wall, so I doubt we’re supposed to tell them apart anyway.

In the case of J minus, we get a little more imagination, not to mention truth in advertising: four Armani-clad scruffers standing in a wooded clearing, the sun peeking ever so gently through the trees, and the image, for once, accurately reflects the music found therein. The band’s sly concoction of 90s alt-rock, epic-leaning emo, and wry Americana manages to sound both off-the-cuff and streamlined at the same time, and while the path they follow is not of the beaten-to-death variety, they hold to it to great effect. Think Story of the Year, The National, and Dishwalla all attending AA together. Yeah, I like that. That makes sense.

J minus dabble successfully in several areas, so it’s surprising that their only real misstep here is a track likely meant to inject even more variety into the album: closer “Congratulations, You Suck” isn’t a total loss, but a borderline-snarky, acousti-crunk ditty at the end of an album’s worth of emotive, near-flawless power pop (“When the Lights Go Out”) and lived-in balladry (“No Sleep Tonight”) is questionable game-planning. Still, we’ve got ourselves a winner.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Paper Tongues at the Triple Rock Recap

Paper Tongues at the Triple Rock Recap




http://borangutan.com/band-reviews/paper-tongues-triple-rock-recap/

also syndicated on SOUNDWORD: http://music.blogdig.net/archives/articles/August2010/02/Paper_Tongues_at_the_Triple_Rock_Recap.html

The Paper Tongues are the real deal – a perfect blend of attitude, melody, love of show, and love of fan. Seeing them on June 19 was a sort of breath of fresh air after seeing Montreal’s Wolf Parade the night before at First Avenue. Wolf Parade is one of my favorite bands of the last five or so years, but I laid my disappointments to bear in an article a week and a half ago.

What was it about Paper Tongues then that caused such sweet refreshment? In short, it was all about the show; the energy, the messages, the air of genuineness, and the mutual satisfaction that occurred between a band and its fans. Paper Tongues may have only drawn 100 – 150 fans out to the Triple Rock, but every one of those fans were fist pumping, jazz handing, vocal projecting believers in a young band whose flirting with stardom only began several months ago. Perhaps part of the reason for this belief resides in the hopeful messages of their songs like “Trinity,” a remarkable pop tune that ought to be heard synched left and right in the upcoming Fall season of network television. It’s one of the few songs I’ve heard in quite some time that truly seems to own a little something for everyone!

But here’s the real personal factor that reveals the power of this band to storm the future with an unrelenting potential. The Paper Tongues made me want to step forward and be part of their adoring crowd that evening, but perhaps for too long I’ve been too enmeshed in that indie crowd so described at the Wolf Parade show. My resolution ought to be to step forward and return to a decade ago when I still valued that place against the railing front and center of stage. I think I could do that at a Paper Tongues show and feel at home, and not in the least feel out of place. Sure, most fans there that night were 5 – 10 years younger than me, but like I said, this band, like the song below, has a little something for everyone – and that includes you (and me)!

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Local fave, LA band to rock Spearfish

Summer continues with Friday tradition   Local fave, LA band to rock Spearfish



http://www.blackhillsweeklygroup.com/articles/2010/08/04/news/lawrence_county/doc4c59a90eaad3e772917647.txt

at 5 p.m. A local band with influences such as Eric Clapton, B.B. King, and ZZ Top, they will rock the Main Street stage with hits such as “Pride and Joy,” “Tightrope,” and “I’m Moving On.”

The headliner for the evening is Judge Jackson from Los Angeles. The band is comprised of Todd McTavish on vocals, JJ Garcia on drums, Lee Jackson on guitar, and Brian James on bass and vocals.

The band pulls its influence from Lynyrd Skynyrd, Led Zeppelin and Guns ‘n Roses, and describe themselves as a rock/Southern rock/classic rock band. Judge Jackson has opened for big-name groups such as the Doobie Brothers and Buckcherry, and if you have watched any NBA games, NASCAR events or the Super Bowl, chances are you have heard a Judge Jackson song. The group’s newest album, “Drive,” was released Aug. 3, and shows off Judge Jackson’s hard rock rave-ups and demonstrates the band’s roots in funk-blues, acoustic folk and country-twang.

Vendors will also line one block of Main Street during the festivities. Booths ranging from snow cones and donut holes to purses and clothes and coins will share their wares.

First Fridays is sponsored by the Downtown Business Association and Visit Spearfish. The final First Fridays event will take place on Sept. 3, and will feature 3rd Lift 5. For more information on First Fridays or any other events put on downtown, contact the Downtown Business Association and Visit Spearfish.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Paper Tongues, performing at KFMA Day (Credit: Kyle Dehn/Special to Metromix)

http://tucson.metromix.com/music/funk/paper-tongues-with-neon-congress-street/2056013/content



SOLD OUT  - Club Congress


Paper Tongues, performing at KFMA Day (Credit: Kyle Dehn/Special to Metromix)

They have a presence: being seven strong can do that. And Charlotte, N.C.'s Paper Tongues use those numbers wisely, creating a powerful big sound by fusing elements of rock, funk, rap and pop. The band is also making noise on the Billboard charts, helped along by a high-profile manager (Randy Jackson), appearances on the late-night circuit and an appearance at Bonaroo.

Friday, March 4, 2011

"Don't Let Me Down" (Beatles cover) - The Toadies

http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2010/aug/04/live-music-dallas-fort-worth-august-5-8/?refscroll=0

"Don't Let Me Down" (Beatles cover) - The Toadies



Here's The Toadies in late July in LA. They perform in Dallas on August 7.

Video posted by lovendestroy on YouTube.

The Toadies have a new album, and they're playing the Palladium tonight with

two other DFW darlings - House Harkonnen and The Burning Hotels. Feeler, the

album that Interscope shelved 12 years ago because they thought it wasn't

good enough, will be released this summer on Kirtland Records. Expect a

live-wire of a show tonight, and expect to hear their new, er, old tunes

that will probably ring of the classic Toadies we've all welcomed into our

'90s rock-laden hearts. And as if that wasn't enough, hard rock hommes the

House Harkonnen and Fort Worth's post-punkers The Burning Hotels will heat

things up with a heaping helping of - ah, to hell with it - just go already!

Thursday, March 3, 2011

LIVE REVIEW: Paper Tongues @ Slim’s

LIVE REVIEW: Neon Trees, Civil Twilight, Paper Tongues @ Slim’s 7/27/2010

http://www.theowlmag.com/live-reviews/neon-trees-civil-twilight-paper-tongues-slims-7272010/



The City’s main alt-rock radio station, Live 105, presented us with the “Bang the Gong” tour at Slim’s this week, a tour featuring some of 2010′s newest big names: Neon Trees, Civil Twilight, and Paper Tongues.

Slim’s was already filled to the brim by 8:30 PM, but the opening band, Pacific Hurt, didn’t do much to lift the mood. Their music was slow, redundant, and pretty uninspiring. I noticed no hooks or catchy melodies during their half hour performance.

Soon afterward, thankfully, Paper Tongues took the stage, and started rocking the crowd. Aswan North, the main singer of the band, has an amazingly strong voice, and was certainly the highlight of the night in terms of vocals. The music was good overall, but at times it seemed that the orchestration was not on par with North’s vocals.

Civil Twilight, a 3-piece rock band from South Africa, was quite the interesting twist on the night. Their songs were mostly slow, but with more playful guitar riffs, so they had a completely different effect on the crowd — sorta like a shoegazing version of Coldplay. The singer played both the keys and the bass, but I personally preferred the songs where he was jamming on bass, and their guitarist, one of the most focused, talented gents of the night.

Neon Trees were rightfully the big name of the evening, and they definitely didn’t disappoint. Their flamboyant singer made sure to transcend the crowd into another state of consciousness with his amazing energy, and completely crazy dance moves . That guy is a real showman. He’s got “it,” that little thing that separates plain Joe performer from super-star. Their songs were a little more more dancey than on the album, and the drums took center stage (whereas they sounded mute on the album), but that was certainly alright with me.

Overall, Neon Trees would be the band to re-watch, and maybe even buy their live CD or DVD too. If they come to your town, they should not be missed. Civil Twilight is the band to keep an eye on. Buy their next album, and hope it’s as delightfully shoegazing as their live performance was. Paper Tongues have a future too, but only if the rest of the 6 musicians in the band also play some interesting music, rather than just play back-up support to North’s voice.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

The Listener Label: "Dance About It" - Paper Tongues

The Listener Label: "Dance About It" - Paper Tongues: "Paper Tongues is an American Rock band from Charlotte, North Carolina. I really like this band's sound as they mix genres to create a hybrid..."