The Breeders - Release the Bats (Palais Theatre), 26 October 2013

I wasn't going to put this one up because the sound quality at the venue was pretty iffy right up until Divine Hammer. But someone asked for it so here it is. Like I said regarding Television's set, it would have been nice to have got  more out of this than people at their headline shows. Unfortunately, we 'only' got all of Last Splash. The highlights of that album are pretty obvious and remained highlights live. Kim Deal's exuerance was pretty refreshing after Tom Verlaine's dour performance and Fuck Buttons (understandable) intentness.

Anyway, the sound quality of this isn't super, but its very listenable if you're interested.

https://mega.co.nz/#F!VMMi3ZJQ!BqOtKS5bkx8Vyw1cGoQ0YQ

Paul Kelly - The Toff in Town (The Story So Far), 24 November 2013

You don't often get an opportunity to see someone like Paul Kelly at a venue as small as the Toff, so when you do, it's tough to pass up. Obviously others had the same idea, because there was an enormous line when I turned up (partly caused by some poor organisation). There had barely been time to get everyone in before the show started. The Story So Far is a RRR show where musicians perform and discuss there history and influences. The questions weren't always very good, but it was interesting to hear about Paul Kelly's favourite songs, particularly because, with one exception, they weren't even close to the type of thing I would have picked.

As I say everytime I post an acoustic show like this, these are the hardest shows to record. I think I'm slowly getting better, because this isn't too bad. But anyone who wants to can wait until this is broadcast (it was videoed, but I don't know when it'll be shown).

https://mega.co.nz/#F!hVFAhChA!YZ3Qv1q64eEpg7pTEu2tVw

Free Albums - Merry Beardmas!

Just in time for Christmas, here is something put together at the good folk over at the Steam Engine. This features Christmas related tracks from a variety of artists. The quality varies between studio and very good audience recordings (mostly studio quality).

Hopefully you manage to slip this on when Grandma tries to play her Christmas carols CD.

http://thesteamengine.net/home/download-merry-beardmas.html

Divine Fits - Radio & TV Sessions

I mentioned a while back that I was working on putting together a few sets from artists I like, but that don't seem to be as widely available as I think they should. The first one was for War on Drugs (more to come on that) and this one is for Divine Fits. It's my attempt to get every TV, radio and internet session they've done and put it all in one place. I know that at least one thing is missing (and probably more), but this is a pretty comprehensive accounting of their work, including their new single and some covers.

Would That Not Be Nice [CD102.5 Big Room]
My Love is Real [CD102.5 Big Room]
Flaggin' a Ride [CD102.5 Big Room]
Baby Get Worse [David Letterman]
My Love is Real [Sound Opinions]
Civilian Stripes [Sound Opinions]
Would That Not Be Nice [Sound Opinions]
Shivers [Sound Opinions]
Like Ice Cream [Jimmy Kimmel]
You Got Lucky [Jimmy Kimmel]
Would That Not Be Nice [The Current]
Civilian Stripes [The Current]
Civilian Strips [World Cafe]
Would That Not Be Nice [World Cafe]
For Your Heart [World Cafe]
Shivers [World Cafe]
Civilian Stripes [Moog Sound Lab]
Civilian Stripes [Bowery Presents]
Would That Not Be Nice [Like a Version]
Hungry Heart [Like a Version]
What Gets You Alone [Pitchfork TV]
My Love is Real [KEXP]
Would That Not Be Nice [KEXP]
Civilian Stripes [KEXP]
Shivers [KEXP]
Flaggin' a Ride [KCRW]
Like Ice Cream [KCRW]
My Love is Real [Studio Q]
Would That Not Be Nice [Studio Q]
Chained to Love [Conan O'Brien]
Ain't That the Way [Conan O'Brien]
Would That Not Be Nice [RJD2 Remix]
My Love is Real [Kingdom Remix]

https://mega.co.nz/#F!8BdWwALR!CN8c6CwHZx8UcigdF8TH7Q

My Morning Jacket - Forecastle Festival, 14 July 2012

I've been looking to get my hands on a few My Morning Jacket shows, but its a bit overwhelming since there are so many and no list (as far as I can find) of the 'essential' shows. I'm still looking for a few more, but as far as recent shows go, this one from the middle of last year is a gem. The band play songs from across their career, plus throw in a few choice covers, including a long version of George Michael's Careless Whisper, featuring an extended discussion of the importance of bananas.

I got this from the good folks at the Steam Engine, so go there to grab a copy - http://thesteamengine.net/home/download-my-morning-jacket-2012-07-14-forecastle-festival-lo.html

The Dark
(Holdin' On To) Black Metal
Wordless Chorus
I'm Amazed
Anytime
It Beats For You
Steam Engine
Isn't It A Pity
Outta My System
Mahgeetah
Rocket Man
The Bear
Cobra
Run Thru
It Makes No Difference
Smokin' From Shootin
Touch Me I'm Going to Scream Part 2
Gideon
Victory Dance
Circuital
Careless Whisper
One Big Holiday

Television - Release the Bats, Palais Theatre, 26 October 2013

Expectations for Release the Bats were pretty low after it got announced that they were relocating to the Palais and the Prince Bandroom. The two venues are about 15 minutes from each other, plus the Palais is a seated venue and this was a GA event. It ended up being a really well managed event with a great crowd.

Having said all that a festival that only operates in one city really needs to offer something special, beyond what every other city gets. The festival failed pretty badly on that account - both headliners only got an hour to play, and the Breeders headline shows included not just all of Last Splash, but all of Pod as well. That makes having this festival in Melbourne more of a curse than a blessing for Victorians. Hopefully in future they'll sort this out, or simply scrap the festival and have the bands play their own shows.

In terms of Television's actual set, the reviews from some of their early shows were mediocre so, again, my expectations weren't too high. In the end they played pretty well, although Tom Verlaine had no interest in trying to engage the crowd, which resulted in long, awkward periods of dead air between songs. Nonetheless, they songs themselves were played professionally enough and the set was fairly enjoyable.

https://mega.co.nz/#F!xc9jgLiQ!T56uKROVCUVXvaXZEVo97w

Superchunk - Forum Theatre, 15 and 16 November 2013

Neutral Milk Hotel's tour pulled together a pretty great group of Harvest outcasts. Personally, I didn't know Superchunk's stuff going into this show, but I was really impressed. Unfortunately, the recording of the first night's show has pretty much constant talking from a few people right next to me. Thankfully, the second night was a lot better, which resulted in a better recording. It was also nice to see them vary their sets between the two nights, and the consistent quality really shows the depth of their material.

15 November 2013

Throwing Things
FOH
Learned to Surf
Seed Toss
Detroit Has a Skyline
Void
So Convinced
Kicked In
Water Wings
Me & You & Jackie Mittoo
Digging for Something
Slack Motherfucker
Hyper Enough

16 November 2013

Driveway to Driveway
FOH
Me & You & Jackie Mittoo
Animated Airplanes Over Germany
Punch Me Harder
Out of the Sun
Hello Hawk
Iron On
Nu Bruises
Like a Fool
Digging for Something
Slack Motherfucker
Precision Auto

Blur - Maida Vale Studios, 31 July 2013

Just as I was in the process of organising this it was announced that Blur have cancelled their Big Day Out appearance. No word yet on a replacement or whether Blur will return this year, but in the meantime, here's a taste of what you missed out on. A word of warning - the sound is good, but not as good as most of the other soundboards I put up.

Tracy Jack
Beetlebum
Out of Time
Young & Lovely
End of a Century
Mr Briggs
Tender
This is a Low
Under the Westway
Popscene
For Tomorrow
The Universal

https://mega.co.nz/#F!wAU2GDjI!Mp1irRN-zWoLm6WBDBwrgw

Neutral Milk Hotel - Forum Theatre, 15 and 16 November 2013

What can you really say about a show that any reasonably person would have said would never happen? Simply seeing this band would have been enough, but, despite all the positive reviews, my expectations were pretty low, given the standard set by other reunion tours and the fact that Mangum has only recently returned to playing regularly in public. Fortunately the band was amazing and Jeff Mangum's voice doesn't seem to have been affected by time or his period away from the spotlight.

The first night's crowd wasn't as respectful as I'd expected - the person talking through Oh Comely only stopped when she saw the look of violence on my face. That talking and occassional lame or bizarre shouts from the crowd make it into the recording, but they generally don't undermine it too much.

The second night was probably slightly better than the first. Obviously there isn't much room for setlist variation, but they mixed up the order and threw in April 8th. The sound quality of the recording is a bit of an improvement over night one. I doubt anyone will notice, but the lights come on at the end of the set and only went off for the second encore as people were filing out, so the fade in is very short and the acoustics are slightly different as I'd moved to a different spot.

If anyone is interested, I recorded both Superchunk sets as well (up next week), but not M Ward.

15 November 2013

16 November 2013

Simone Felice & Josh Ritter - ABC Music Deli, 13 July 2012

This was a pretty phenomenal tour and I'm really glad to have seen their show at The Corner. Sadly Josh Ritter hasn't been back since then and I was in Sydney to see Wilco when Simone Felice played a solo show.

This is a performance and discussion they did for ABC radio during the tour. It's a nice little sampler for anyone unfamiliar with their work. The only thing that would have made it better is if they'd sung something together as they did at the shows. Finally, although the comment at the end of the main set makes it sound as if there are a few bonus songs available, the only one I could find is Charade. Not sure if that's because there weren't any others or they've been taken down.

New York Times
Folk Bloodbath
Scarecrow
The Temptation of Adam
One More American Song
Change of Time
Charade [Bonus]

https://mega.co.nz/#F!8J8ARITa!IN_Q8Uwl_CVxX14qWfEr5w

Atoms for Peace - Austin City Limits, 13 October 2013

Another recent show - just a bit over a month for this one. I'm not a huge fan of these guys, but their best songs are really good and I know a lot of people like them a lot. No word on whether they'll make it to Australia, but unless something gets announced soon it looks unlikely.

Before Your Very Eyes
Default
The Clock
Ingenue
Unless
And It Rained All Night
Harrowdown Hill
Dropped
Cymbal Rush

Feeling Pulled Apart By Horses
Rabbit in Your Headlights
Paperbag Writer
Amok

Atoms for Peace
Black Swan


https://mega.co.nz/#F!NVcVTTRA!KckpUjZ02RAd9OHRIKVEqA

Arcade Fire - Capitol Records, 28 October 2013

I've got a few recent shows that I'll try to put up quickly, rather than do my normal thing of putting them aside until I get round to it. This one is two Arcade Fire sets from a couple of weeks ago. First up is a promotional show at Captiol Records; the other is their show a few days later at Neil Young's Bridge School Benefit. Both shows lean heavily on their new material, which initially sounds quite different to their previous recods, but with repeated listens starts to make more sense in their canon.

Reflektor
Flashbulb Eyes
Afterlife
Supersymmetry [with Perfect Day intro and Satellite of Love outro]
It's Never Over (Oh Orpheus)
We Exist
You Already Know
Normal Person
Here Comes the Night Time

Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)

The Suburbs [Bridge Benefit]
Reflektor [Bridge Benefit]
Awful Sound (Oh Eurydice) [Bridge Benefit]
Normal Person [Bridge Benefit]
I Dreamed a Neil Young Song (w/ Neil Young) [Bridge Benefit]
Wake Up [Bridge Benefit]

https://mega.co.nz/#F!IAV10LIS!eF5fAWVzwW0J7oazNiOdUg

Free Albums - Jay Z and the Beatles - The Grey Album

I've been trying to figure out other free albums to put up and realised I haven't posted what might be the best of them all - The Grey Album. This was created by the producer Danger Mouse and features vocals from Jay Z's Black Album over music from The Beatles' White Album (hence the title 'The Grey Album).

There a quite a few risks with this type of thing - it can be gimmicky without any real musical value, or it can simply combine the worst of both sources, or it can result in something that is hated by fans of both bands. This manages to avoid all of these, resulting in an album that has had some pretty big crossover success.

Public Service Announcement
What More Can I Say
Encore
December 4th
99 Problems
Dirt Off Your Shoulder
Moment of Clarity
Change Clothes
Allure
Justify My Thug
Interlude
My 1st Song


For anyone that wants more, various other mashups have been done (none of them up to the standard of the Grey Album), including mashups with Pavement, Metallica, and Weezer (among others).

The New Pornographers - Washington DC, 23 June 2010

We're unlikely to see anything from these guys for quite a while, although Neko Case has promised a tour in early 2014, and AC Newman sounds like he is in the middle of recording a new album. Anyway, New Pornographers are great, and this is really good show from way back in 2010 when they were touring their last album - Challengers. Unlike their last two Australian tours, this show includes Dan Bejar, meaning great songs like Myriad Harbour are included.

This is a really good, long and varied set, check it out.

Sing Me Spanish Techno
Up in the Dark
Myriad Harbour
Use It
Crash Years
All the Old Showstoppers
The Body Says No
Jackie
A Bite Out of My Bed
The Bones of an Idol
Sweet Talk, Sweet Talk
To Wild Homes
The End of Medicine
Moves
Your Hands (Together)
My Shepherd
Twin Cinema
Silver Jenny Dollar
Mass Romantic
The Bleeding Heart Show

Challengers
My Rights vs Yours
Electric Version
Testament to Youth in Verse

https://mega.co.nz/#F!YRdDRBIT!Cp2jyFvlO0UAXFoWW2N3AQ

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Rock en Seine, 24 August 2013

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club were a band I was happy enough to see at Harvest, but wasn't too fussed about seeing for a headline show. At least until I had a listen to this very impressive set from just a couple of months back. There is an initial problem with the sound that I've tried to fix as much as I can, but once it's past this sounds phenomenal. Bands like this tend to have a 'sound' and things can get pretty boring, but these guys do a good job of mixing things up with songs that clearly fit within their style, but also show they can stretch beyond regurgitating variations on a theme.

There seems to be a fanbase for the band, given their show at Billboard was upgraded to the Palace within a few hours. Unfortunately I (and probably others) are going to be forced to miss this because it clashes with Neutral Milk Hotel - if anyone wants a ticket I've got one going for $50, send me an email.

Let the Day Begin
Rival
Beat the Devil's Tattoo
Hate the Taste
Ain't No Easy Way
Berlin
Shuffle Your Feet
Conscience Killer
Six Barrel Shotgun
Weight of the World
Lullaby
Sell It
Whatever Happened to My Rock 'n' Roll (Punk Song)
Spread Your Love


https://mega.co.nz/#F!cUdUXDAY!DZ9GIWSA8UAZFnOMYI0jFQ

Yo La Tengo - Hamer Hall, 18 October 2013

Apparently this years Melbourne festival has been really financially successful. Which is great, but surprises me a bit because lots of the shows that I went to were pretty ambitious in terms of venue size or number of shows. Last time in Melbourne Yo La Tengo played the Forum, while this time they skipped other slightly larger venues and jumped to a venue that's literally twice the capacity of the Forum. That's pretty ambitious for a band like this, and they ended up having to sell discounted tickets on the day of the show.

The format of the show - acoustic half, followed by an electric half, with a 20 minute intermission sandwiched in between - required a seated venue, and worked well here. The crowd were relatively sedate, but that's hard to avoid in a large seated theatre. Both sections of the show worked really well, although the electric set was phenomenally loud. The sound quality of the recording is generally good, except for the final songs of the show when they played a couple of extremely quiet songs.


The band has already announced a return in 2014 for Golden Plains and a Sydney show in this format. Hopefully a Melbourne show hasn't been announced because it will be a smaller 'normal' Yo La Tengo show.


Ohm
Two Trains
Can't Forget
Periodically Double or Triple
Black Flowers
Cornelia and Jane
The Point of It
I'll Be Around
Better Things
Big Day Coming

Stupid Things
Is That Enough
Sudden Organ
Little Eyes
Mr Tough
Before We Run
Sugarcube
From a Motel 6
Ohm
Blue Line Swinger

I Heard Her Call My Name
The Farmer's Daughter
My Little Corner of the World

https://mega.co.nz/#F!EAEVjbCB!fBrPcDyK0iV9sbqrXifTTg

http://www.mediafire.com/folder/9it198eotc8cu/Yo_La_Tengo_-_Hamer_Hall%2C_18_Oct_2013

Neutral Milk Hotel - St Louis, 5 May 1997

The silver lining to the cancellation of Harvest is that we've now got two pretty phenomenal shows, headlined by Neutral Milk Hotel. There aren't many shows from these guys, this an acoustic show from prior to the release of In the Aeroplane... Another piece of good news - from reports from their first two shows the saw makes an appearance during some songs.  In case you missed it, I've already put up a Jeff Mangum solo set, which is probably a better place to start than this, but if you've already get that, check this one out.

She Did a Lot of Acid
Gardenhead/Leave Me Alone
Naomi
Engine
The King of Carrot Flowers Pt 3
Song Against Sex
The Fool
Oh Comely
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea

https://mega.co.nz/#F!pMkigRib!UigFIEJah7QONWwUJRgPAQ

Handsome Family - The HiFi, 12 October 2013

I'm going to quite a few Melbourne Festival events. The first one was the Handsome Family at the HiFi. I'm only a very casual fan of the band, so I'm sure the experience of the hardcore fans was quite different. For me there was a mix of phenomenally good songs (So Much Wine and When That Helicopter Comes) and some fairly mediocre ones. The sound quality is really good, so for bigger fans of the band, this should be a pretty enjoyable set.

The Bottomless Hole
So Much Wine
The Woman Downstairs
Octopus
The Sad Milkman
My Sister's Tiny Hands
Arlene
Frogs
Linger, Let Me Linger
Woodpecker
The Loneliness of Magnets
Owls
Weightless Again

When That Helicopter Comes
Don't Be Scared

https://mega.co.nz/#F!wAc3wbzY!DMQANRqsLycVriVsdv3pvA

The War on Drugs - Slave Deviant Vol. 1: The War on Radio

I've mentioned many many times how great the War on Drugs is. Hopefully regular visitors will already know their greatness, or will have checked out some of their stuff after my frequent recommendations. But maybe some of you haven't. Or maybe you have and you're waiting for me to put up some more of their stuff.

Well here it is. I've been working on these for a while (and not just for the War on Drugs) - collecting all the TV and radio performances I can find from these guys and putting them into one wonderful collection. Well you'll have to wait for that, because first up I'm posting some more concise sets, for those who don't want to wade into the deep end of the War on Drugs pool. This is my picks of the best of their radio, TV and internet sessions. Volume 2 will cover their live shows, but that's still a way off. For now, check this out, if only for their phenomenal cover of A Pagan Place (I'll lose my shit if they play that in Melbourne - speaking of which, there are still tickets available).

This is Your Brain on the War on Drugs
Best Night
Black Water Falls
Interview
I Was There
Your Love is Calling My Name
The Animator
Come to the City
Comin' Through
Buenos Aires Beach
Best Night
Show Me the Coast
Baby Missiles
A Needle in Your Eye #16
A Pagan Place

https://mega.co.nz/#F!NMUB3LzL!MRCvGRilFhYPGKQbcqZvBA

Tiger Bones - When You Die

As this free album thing progresses it's going to get harder an harder to focus only on free albums by well known bands. The flip side of that it that this is an opportunity to check out some bands that you (and I) might not otherwise encounter. In this vein - Tiger Bones. This album is one I've been listening to a lot since I downloaded it. The sound is a very indie Joy Division. Perhaps not super original, but originality is often overrated, when the key is quality, which this has in buckets.

http://www.candydinner.com/album/tiger-bones-when-you-die/

Modest Mouse - Sasquatch! Festival, 29 May 2011

I've been putting up lots of shows for bands who are touring Australia soon, but here's one just because it's great. This was only a few months before Modest Mouse's last Australian tour, but unlike that one, which was strange and awkward, this show is really great, even if Isaac Brock's comments are as weird as ever.

The set itself is quite long and varied and the sound quality is outstanding. There is a very long break before the encore, where it sounds as if it isn't clear if they'll be allowed to return, but eventually play three more.


It's been a long time since these guys have released an album, but hopefully one isn't far away and we see them return for a show of this kind of quality.

https://mega.co.nz/#F!1UNjzCQI!JbjkG0Q7c8JWwPppDgoNDw

Pearl Jam - Anything in Between

For anyone who wants a more bite size dose of Pearl Jam, here's a relatively rare disc. This was circulated internally within their record company to set out the type of thing that they were imagining Lost Dogs might be. Although some of the material ended up on Lost Dogs (or released elsewhere), some of this has never seen the light of day. Probably no real hidden gems, but still some solid songs.

I know said when I put up Pearl Jam's Xmas singles that I wasn't going to put up a live show since they're all so easily available, but I've changed my mind somewhat. Since there are some great sites that cover everything you could ever want, I'll put up a post linking to what I think are the best shows covering Pearl Jam's career.

Anything in Between
In the Moonlight
Fatal
Sad
Wishing Well
Hitchhiker
Puzzles and Games
Education
Sweet Lew
Sunburn
Hold On
Just a Girl
Alone
Brother
Don't Gimme No Lip
Bee Girl
Against the 70's
New Jeremy

https://mega.co.nz/#F!wFNizCzI!EP5M_ldVY-MM9X53esMOMQ

Otis Redding - Ready, Steady, Go!

I love Otis Redding a lot. Like Van Morrison, I think his popularity is probably strongly related to the success of a song - Dock of the Bay (or in Morrison's case Brown Eyed Girl) - that completely atypical. So for anyone that doesn't like Dock of the Bay, download this and check out something a lot more typical of Otis' sound.

This is just a short 20 minute set (although sets then tended to be a lot shorter) on British TV. In addition to Otis, Eric Burden and Chris Farlowe each play a soul classic and then sing with Otis for the remainder of the set. This is an incredibly high energy set and sounds great.

(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
My Girl
Respect
Hold On, I'm Comin' (Eric Burdon)
It's a Man's Man's Man's World (Chris Farlowe)
Pain in My Heart
I Can't Turn You Loose
Shake

https://mega.co.nz/#F!BQ83TTyT!cPz5qDCa3xc9TqumfNJXhw

Deerhunter - Washington DC, 12 October 2010

Yet another amazing band with an Australian show coming up. I haven't had a chance to listen to Monomania yet, but I've got a ticket to the show based on the strength of Microcastle/Weird Era Continued and Halcyon Digest, which are both phenomenal.

This is a show from early in the Halcyon Digest and features Basement Scene which they don't seem to play often. The sound is really really good, even if it sounds like there aren't any crowd mics. I've listened to this quite a bit and I'd strongly recommend it for anyone going to Deerhunter's show or wondering if they should.

Basement Scene
Desire Lines
Hazel St
Never Stops
Rainwater Cassette Exchange
Don't Cry
Revival
Memory Boy
Little Kids
Fountain Stairs
Nothing Ever Happened
Helicopter
He Would Have Laughed

Spring Hall Convert
Flourescent Grey

https://mega.co.nz/#F!RFtkQCxQ!TEFJYSBYkOpzPycwVWhIPQ

Arcade Fire - New York, 17 February 2007

If you'd placed a bet that any Australian festival would feature Arcade Fire in third spot you could of made a hell of a lot of money. But that's what Big Day Out has managed to produce. At the moment the middle of the lineup is pretty light (they've said that this will be the focus of the second announcement), but what a hell of a top three.

This is a set from way back in 2007 (there'll be something more recent later on). There are a few rough points - Régine isn't the greatest singer (she sounds ok on Poupée de cire, poupée de son, so maybe it's just the comparison with the studio versions that hurts her), but this is also a point where the band were still small enough to be able to play multiple nights at a church.

The sound is good - Wake Up isn't up to the same quality as the rest of the set, but that's explained in the introduction. Like I said, I'll be putting up a couple of shows from all the headliners, so if you want something more recent just a wait a while.

Wake Up
Black Mirror
Keep the Car Running
No Cars Go
Haïti
Poupée de cire, poupée de son
Black Wave/Bad Vibrations
The Well and the Lighthouse
Ocean of Noise
Rebellion (Lies)
Intervention

My Body is a Cage
Neon Bible

Neighbourhood #2 (Laika)

https://mega.co.nz/#F!oRdjFL6b!DXnumTx8_udedC_-L87wow

The Strokes - Reading Festival 2011

There were so many rumours that these guys were about to be announced that I figured I should have this ready. Looks like those rumours were just that. Either way, this is a pretty decent set from a couple of years back. Unfortunately, Just What I Needed with Jarvis Cocker isn't as good on record as it is on paper. The rest of the set is good though (I should mention that the sound, while good, isn't quite up to the standard of most of the other soundboards I've put up).


Is This It
New York City Cops
Under Cover of Darkness
The Modern Age
Machu Picchu
Reptilia
Someday
Life is Simple in the Moonlight
You Only Live Once
You're So Right
What Ever Happened?
Alone, Together
Just What I Needed (w/ Jarvis Cocker)
Juicebox
Last Nite

Hard to Explain
Take It Or Leave It

https://mega.co.nz/#F!JBMEDTCT!SIBManiq24sPlIFmIr5wdQ

Japandroids - Corner Hotel, 30 August 2013

The second Japandroids gig was substantially better than the first. The effect of having a night off and playing on Friday were pretty evident. Vocally the band were much better, although, like the first night, the sound quality wasn't great. They were also a lot more engaged (or maybe the crowd were just more enthusiastic), at one point slightly after midnight inviting a fan (who had just turned 18, having managed to get in underage) on stage for shots, followed by crowd surfing for the entirety of To Hell with Good Intentions.

The setlist was virtually identical to night one. The only difference being Crazy/Forever being played in place of I Quit Girls. Like I said, the sound quality isn't outstanding, although it isn't horrible either. A fun show, and hopefully Australia will get a visit a little earlier on the tour for the next album.

Adrenaline Nightshift
The Boys Are Leaving Town
Fire's Highway
Art Czars
The Nights of Wine and Roses
Rockers East Vancouver
Younger Us
Wet Hair
Evil's Sway
Heart Sweats
Sovereignty
Continuous Thunder
To Hell with Good Intentions
Crazy/Forever
Young Hearts Spark Fire
The House That Heaven Built
For the Love of Ivy

https://mega.co.nz/#F!1I9iRLha!JfqinlcQSpgV46ntIzVwOg

Franz Ferdinand - Lollapalooza Brazil 2013

This is why we can't have nice things. A festival in a nice location, that doesn't try to pack people in and manages to attract people that aren't obnoxious. Harvest is gone for good but hopefully they'll manage to put on a smaller version (maybe a Melbourne only show with sideshows in other cities along the lines of Release the Bats). Anyway, they've managed to organise some tours for next year, including one from Franz Ferdinand [I've seen some suggestion that maybe they'll be touring around when Harvest was going to be (BRMC and Neutral Milk Hotel will definitely be doing tours then)].

This set is from just a few months ago, and includes material from their latest album (which is actually pretty good). Sadly, we won't be seeing them at Harvest, but it looks like an early 2014 tour is locked in.

No You Girls
Bullet
The Dark of the Matinee
Fresh Strawberries
Do You Want To
Love Illumination
Walk Away
Stand on the Horizon
Michael
Evil Eye
Take Me Out
Ulysses
Goodbye Lovers & Friends
Can't Stop Feeling
Outsiders
Treason! Animals
The Fallen
This Fire

https://mega.co.nz/#F!VZsh3KBT!M8iJUAYXhoNmLDwzfLQREg

Japandroids - Corner Hotel, 28 August 2013

I've been waiting for a loooong time to see these guys do a headline set. Their show earlier in the year at Laneway was pretty good, but these guys are better suited to a club. Unfortunately, the time taken to get to Australia meant these shows were at the very end of their Celebration Rock tour and, as they admitted at the shows, their voices are a bit fried. It can't have helped that they were playing consecutive nights in Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne.

Putting all that aside, the show itself was still pretty great. At times the strain on their voices really shows through, but hell, they still played almost all of both their albums, plus a couple of non-album tracks. Having had a day off, their show on the 30th was a bit better (plus it was a Friday night with a crowd who were more into it), but this was still a good show.

Adrenaline Nightshift
The Boys Are Leaving Town
Fire's Highway
Art Czars
The Night of Wine and Roses
Rockers East Vancouver
Younger Us
Wet Hair
Evil's Sway
Heart Sweats
Sovereignty
Continuous Thunder
I Quit Girls
Young Hearts Spark Fire
The House That Heaven Built
To Hell with Good Intentions
For the Love of Ivy

https://mega.co.nz/#F!1Z9kSKbC!M_s-RTCbuEB0aAdeG7iCBg

Jay Bennett - Whatever Happened I Apologize

It was interesting listening to Billy Bragg talk at his show last year about the influence of Jay Bennett on the Mermaid Avenue sessions. Clearly the guy was incredibly talented. His departure from Wilco is captured in I Am Trying to Break Your Heart. But despite all that, and despite the fact that he never gained much public attention again, he produced some really good music right up until his death.

The obvious first question people will ask is does this sound like Wilco, and the answer is no. But that might put some people off but in reality its a good thing - rather than try to recreate his past glories he's moved on to something different that can more easily be judged it its own right. And doing so shows a pretty rewarding album. Ironically, given the disagreements seen in I Am Trying to Break Your Heart, this is very underproduced. In the post part its Bennett playing acoustic guitar, with some minimal additional instruments (all played by Bennett too). The sound is folky and country sounding. Lyrically its bleak but never overly morbid (in some ways it reminds me of Elliott Smith). Bennett's life had some fairly tragic elements, and his death came at time when people close to him said he had finally got himself in a good place. But Bennett's legacy remains in a wealth of fantastic music, including his solo work which is likely to be overlooked in favour of his work with Wilco.

http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jay_Bennett/Whatever_Happened_I_Apologize/

Twitter

If anyone cares, I'm now on Twitter. I'm only using it to see what musicians I like are saying and because word of tours seems to break there early, but I might ocassionally say something (and I'll respond to questions, suggestions and personal abuse). If you want to follow me - @shakeysounds

Old Crow Medicine Show - World Cafe, 25 October 2006

It seems like a long time since these guys have toured, but its only been four years. Anyway, this is a very short promotional set from just after the release of their second album.

Cocaine Habit [aka Take a Whiff on Me]
God's Got It
James River Blues
Wagonwheel
Tell it to Me (Interlude)

https://mega.co.nz/#F!EEMFwJ5C!Cojc6jKc8zxsgeqhCpijnw

Pearl Jam - Xmas Singles

I was kinda hoping that the rumours that Pearl Jam were going to headline Big Day Out weren't true, since I'd much rather see them play their own shows. Now I'm hoping that since this is the start of the tour for their new album they will (for the first time ever) make two trips through Australia for this album.

Given they release every show they play there isn't much that is hard to get anymore (they also allow shows that are no longer available to be freely traded - check out the links section for sites that have their previous Australian shows for download). Every year Pearl Jam put out a vinyl single to their fan club. The quality of the material varies enormously, but some of it is outstanding (their only number one was originally an Xmas single). This is a collection of all the singles released to date (nothing was released in 1994, so they released a double single in 1995).

I'll try to add the new singles as they're released, but if this isn't up to date in the future just drop me a line. Lastly, for anyone who is easily offended by nasty words, probably best to skip Ramblings Pt 3.

[Update: I've added the 2013 single. If you want everything then click the link at the bottom of the page. If you only want the new songs click on each of them below]

Let Me Sleep
Ramblings
Sonic Reducer
Ramblings Pt 2
Angel
Ramblings Pt 3
History Never Repears (w/ Tim and Neil Finn) [Live]
Sonic Reducer (w/ Joey Ramone) [Live]
Swallow My Pride (Green River) [Live]
My Way (Eddie Vedder and Terry Presley) [Live]
Olympic Platinum
Smile [Live]
Happy When I'm Crying
Live for Today [1997 was a split single with REM, so this isn't by Pearl Jam]
Soldier of Love [Live]
Last Kis
Strangest Tribe
Driftin'
Crown of Thorns [Live]
Can't Help Falling in Love [Live]
Last Soldier [Live]
Indifference (w/ Ben Harper) [Live]
Gimme Some Truth [Live]
I Just Wanna Have Something to Do (Jeff Ament)
Don't Believe in Christmas
Sleepless Nights (w/ Beck) [Live]
Reach Down (w/ Chris Cornell) [Live]
I Believe in Miracles [Live]
Someday at Christmas
Betterman [Molo Session]
Little Sister (w/ Robert Plant) [Live]
Gone [Demo]
Love, Reign O'er Me
Rockin' in the Free World (w/ Bono and The Edge) [Live]
Santa God
Jingle Bells [Instrumental]
Santa Cruz
The Golden State (Eddie Vedder and Corin Tucker)
Turning Mist

Hawaii '78 [Live] [Pretty sure this is with Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, but I can't confirm it]

No Jeremy [Live]

Falling Down [Live]

Better Things

Devil Doll (X and Eddie Vedder)

All Night [Live]

In the Moonlight (w/ Josh Homme) [Live]

99 Problems (w/ Jay-Z) [Live]
Shattered (w/ Jeanne Triplehorn) [Live]

https://mega.co.nz/#F!lVEBwR4S!foMoRh5RdxtEnGsMbLE4Vg

The Return of the War on Drugs

So one of my favourite bands have been announced for an Australian return. So far it's only Falls, but they'll surely play some sideshows. Anyone that doesn't know these guys (you can't have been visiting here often because I post about them all the time) can check out some recordings here. I haven't heard a release date for their new album, but it'll either be out when they tour or not far away, so we should get to hear some new stuff.

Massive Attack - KCRW, 24 February 2010

Pretty good first Harvest announcement, with some additions to come (apparently it'll be a big announcement, which will hopefully fill the gap between Massive Attack and Franz Ferdinand, who should really only be third on the lineup for a festival like this). I'll be putting up some more sets from bands on the lineup (I'm generally trying to put things up by bands who will be here soon). This includes some of their more recent material which I'm not that familiar with - it's good, although not on a par with their early work.

Angel
Splitting the Atom
Babel
Girl I Love You
Interview
Mezzanine
Teardrop
Atlas Air
United Snakes

https://mega.co.nz/#F!sU1FjAaD!O5Cdzz1NMME_-6p0SNAyyQ

Wavves - Corner Hotel, 27 July 2013

The recording for the last show I went to didn't turn out very well (fortunately, it got broadcast so there is (an edited) version of it). For this show I turned the sound way down and it seemed to produce a pretty decent recording.

The crowd for this half of the show was quite different to the Unknown Mortal Orchestra half - a lot younger and a lot more rowdy. There was a lot of crowd surfing from the start, and the mike stand gets knocked down early on, hence a bit of the distortion you hear. Overall though the sound is pretty good. The set is, as all Wavves shows are, pretty short, and features more King of the Beach songs than Afraid of Heights ones. This was a good show, but I think I prefer their 2012 show a bit more.

Idiot
Super Soaker
King of the Beach
Bug
Demon to Lean On
Paranoid
Afraid of Heights
Post Acid
Friends Were Gone
Linus Spacehead
Beat Me Up
Sail to the Sun
100%
Green Eyes
No Hope Kids

https://mega.co.nz/#F!NVlmTQbQ!ZaT0g3ADiOcWVkanL8Dm0A

Bruce Springsteen - SiriusXM 10th Anniversary Show, 9 March 2012

Bruce Springsteen's shows at the start of the year were phenomenal. At the end of shows of that quality I sometimes feel a bit gutted that it'll be another four or five years till I get to see them again. But not this time! Springsteen will be back for another Melbourne show (and there are gaps in the schedule for at least one and maybe two more shows). Anyone that missed out last time should make sure to get to one of these if they possibly can.

To whet your appetite here's a recording of a show he did last year to celebrate the 10th anniversary of SiriusXM. The show was played at the famous Apollo Theater, hence the soul style introduction and the medley of soul classics. It's a short set by Springsteen standards, but maybe that's a good thing if you're only a casual fan wanting to figure out if you want to see him live.

We Take Care of Our Own
Wrecking Ball
Badlands
Death to My Hometown
My City of Ruins
The E Street Shuffle
Jack of All Trades
Shackled and Drawn
Waitin' on a Sunny Day
The Promised Land
Mansion on the Hill
Apollo Medley
The Rising
We Are Alive
Thunder Road

Rocky Ground
Land of Hope and Dreams
Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out

https://mega.co.nz/#F!QFURSLbR!MHibunXXuX4DRXygJdjHtA

Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Corner Hotel, 27 July 2013

I wasn't sure whether I'd go to UMO's Melbourne show, so I was pleased when they announced a co-headlining gig with Wavves. I'm not sure whether they were a good fit together, as the people who were there for UMO all seemed to leave at the end of the set to be replaced by a visibly different crowd for Wavves.

The show itself was pretty good, but people didn't seem to be too into it (there's lots of talking in the recording), and I started to get a bit bored as the show went on. Their best songs are really good, but I'm not sure I'd make the effort to see them again.

From the Sun
The Opposite of Afternoon
Thought Ballune
No Need for a Leader
How Can U Luv Me
Strangers are Strange
Jello and Juggernauts
Monki!
Nerve Damage
Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark)
So Good at Being in Trouble
Ffunny Ffrends
Boy Witch

https://mega.co.nz/#F!EMt1DZoa!Aw172RYQO_JD-wmcahEbCA

Gomez - Live Series Volume 3: Los Angeles

Next up in the monthly series of live albums is one from Gomez. Their show at the Corner last year was phenomenal, and Ben Ottewell's recent Worker's Club gig wasn't bad either. This is one of the albums in what seemed to be an ongoing series of live albums released via their website, although there doesn't seem to have been any additions for quite a while. Volumes 1 and 2 are also available from the link below, but you'll have to pony up for those ones.

This show is from Los Angeles' House of Blues in late 2011. I can't seem to find a complete setlist, but from the reviews I've seen, it looks like this is the complete show.

Bring It On
Hamoa Beach
That Wolf
See The World
Just As Lost As You
Little Pieces
The Place And The People
Shot Shot
I Will Take You There
Whatever's On Your Mind
Get Myself Arrested
How We Operate
Our Goodbye
Make No Sound
Equalize
Ruff Stuff
Here Comes The Breeze
Airstream Driver
Options
Devil Will Ride

http://www.gomeztheband.com/liveseries/#

The Roots - World Cafe, 13 September 2006

Only time for a quick post (making up for it with an enormouse pic of the band though). Apparently the Roots are coming at the end of the year. This isn't a great set (although Here I Come is phenomenal), but its all I've got for the time being.

Interview
Game Theory
Interview
Here I Come
Interview
Clock with No Hands
Interview/Outro

https://mega.co.nz/#F!hFl3RDZA!EsgWSHjkyf4Yfo2UG7OETQ

Spoon - 23 October 2007, Washington DC

With all the love round here for Divine Fits and Handsome Furs, it's important not to forget the fantastic Spoon. Apparently the plan is to run both Divine Fits and Spoon as ongoing bands (Spoon have been doing some recording and Divine Fits have some new tracks as well).

This is another show from NPR in Washington DC. I've got a more recent show to put up later, but, although this is older, its from the tour for the phenomenal Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. I know a little people only know them from that album and it's immediate predecessor Gimme Fiction, but there's a lot of other great stuff on the earlier albums, so this is also a gateway to that earlier work.

I Could See the Dude
Utilitarian
Minor Tough
Fitted Shirt
Anything You Want
Me and the Bean
Small Stakes
The Way We Get By
Stay Don't Go
Jonathan Fisk
Back to Life
The Beast and the Dragon, Adored
The Delicate Place
I Summon You
Don't Make Me a Target
The Ghost You Lingers
You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb
The Underdog
Black Like Me

Japanese Cigarette Case
Peace Like a River
I Turn My Camera On
Don't You Evah

Rhythm and Soul
My Mathematical Mind

http://www.mediafire.com/?dd7namqn1u6p8

Matthew E. White - New York, 13 April 2013

I put up Matthew E. White's set from Northcote Social Club not that long ago. This is a recording from just a month earlier in New York. At the time, a few of the tracks were unknown, but I've added titles. I've also thrown in a couple of bonus tracks to sweeten the deal. Like I said first time round, this guy is really good, well worth a listen, and hopefully he'll do another tour soon.

Will You Love Me
One of These Days
Steady Pace
Are You Ready for the Country?
Ain't That What Love is For?
Hot Toddies
Big Love
Human Style
Gone Away
Brazos
If You Need Me

Will You Love Me [Bonus]
Big Love [Bonus]


https://mega.co.nz/#F!FE02wa4B!WTXhpBQ6AhJ9xWdSXyKp3g

Jason Isbell - 29 August 2012, Mountain Stage

Jason Isbell's a pretty regular visitor to this part of the world, but he seems to mostly tour as an opening act for someone else. He's got a new album so hopefully we'll get a tour with a full band sometime soon. To whet your appetite here's a short set from around the release of his last album Here We Rest (winner of many awards and receiver of many plaudits, but most importantly, one of the 12 albums on my list of Best Albums I Got in 2012).

The only downside to this recording is that they bleep out his use of the highly offensive and morally corrupting 'ass'. Because if the kids heard someone use that they'd be straight on the road to hell. It ruins the song for me a bit, but the rest of the set is great.

https://mega.co.nz/#F!EBNXHJ7b!R6ykRkVMbEkY6EQlGRcv2A

Cloud Nothings - KEXP, 6 March 2012 and Seattle, 22 July 2012

I've put up my recording of Cloud Nothings at the Ding Dong Lounge (I'm still a bit bitter about the DJ). Unfortunately, it wasn't a great recording and the singer's voice took a few songs to warm up. This short radio set has none of those problems, although it's still clear that this is a loud band. I'm not really a fan of their first album, but their most recent album - Attack on Memory (which is where all these songs are from) is a stunner. Hopefully they'll make it back for one of the early '14 festivals.

Stay Useless
Fall In
Interview
Cut You
Seperation

https://mega.co.nz/#F!xVM2WAra!AUIBYB04ZsoQtj0hKFZ-Mw

This is a short live set broadcast a few months later. There's obviously a bit of overlap between the two, but I'd still recommend getting both, and obviously it's a no brainer if you're already a fan of the band.

Fall In
Seperation
Wasted Days

https://mega.co.nz/#F!8d8GnS6R!WdY6dBpabydANzjjGHmjpA

Josh Ritter - New York, 6 March 2013

At Josh Ritter's co-headlining show with Simone Felice he promised to return next year (i.e. this year) with his full band. Any promise like that made on stage (including 'we'll see you again soon') is effectively a legally enforcable contract, so I'm becoming increasingly worried that Ritter might be in a bit of trouble, because his current touring schedule isn't leaving him a hell of a lot of time to fulfill that promise.

Until he does finally make it down here again, here's a set he did for NPR radio just a few months ago. The set focuses on his newest album The Beast in Its Tracks. While it isn't as immediatley accessible as say The Animal Years, it really rewards repeat listens.

https://mega.co.nz/#F!9RVVyQDb!Eu_BAEr_uGJvkfcVfrbjxQ

Wavves - Corner Hotel, 9 May 2012

This was a great show, that I recorded but it turned out really badly. Fortunately, while I was looking for something to put up in advance of Wavves return visit in a couple of weeks, I found that this was broadcast on the radio. They've cut two songs and the between songs banter, but it still sounds great. They're playing with Unknown Mortal Orchestra, which is a pretty great double header (sold out now though I think). Obviously, this doesn't feature anything off of their new album Afraid of Heights, but its still well worth a listen.
https://mega.co.nz/#F!0EMG2bwS!U64WGjexyhJrv6hmMMwvKA

Ben Ottewell - Worker's Club, 30 June 2013

Gomez are one of those bands that I wasn't a big fan of but figured I should see once. Having gone to their show last year, I now know that they're fantastic live, and have lots more songs that I know than I'd thought. So when Ben Ottewell (the one with the amazing voice) announcned a show I figured I'd go along.

Shows at the Worker's Club seem to attract some weird people who I don't normally see at shows. They seem more keen on talking and being seen than actually paying attention to the show. The recording picks up a bit of this, but I managed to move close to the front, where there seemed to be more fans and things were a bit quieter.

The show itself has got some mixed reviews, but I was impressed. The songs he played from his solo album (including one from the album he's working on) fitted in well, and didn't seem like Gomez rejects. The set was padded out with a few judiciously chosen covers that worked well. He made the mistake of mentioning at the start of the first encore that because there isn't any backstage he didn't really have anywhere to go at the end of the set. The crowd realised that this meant he couldn't leave without walking through everyone, so most people just stood there clapping at the end of the show, figuring he wouldn't have a choice but to play another encore. Sure enough, he came out and played a Steve Earle cover.

The sound of this is really good, like a mentioned, there's a bit of talking, plus the sound at the venue wasn't great (although he explains at one point that the sound guy is a ringin because the normal guy fell of a fence). Nonetheless, this is one I've listened to quite a few times, whereas most shows I record only get one or two listens.

https://mega.co.nz/#F!wYsSEBCK!JhRzGEuwO4MwGmj3aMFcDg

Atlas Sound - Bedroom Databank Vols 1 - 4

Time for some mid-month free album madness! Or something. This time, rather than a full album or a couple of EPs, you get four full length albums. Atlas Sound is the name used by Deerhunter's Bradford Cox for his solo releases. These are various recordings that Cox made in his bedroom in 2010. He's stated that Atlas Sound is an outlet for his work that doesn't fit with Deerhunter, so don't expect this to sound anything like their work.

The albums all contain a mix of gems and diversions. The volumes don't seem to have any thematic link, so it's hard to recommend one over any of the others. If I had to I'd say that Volume 1 is the one I listen to most, but if you only want one albums worth, I'd suggest downloading them all and then deleting the material you don't like.

[Update: now with added links!]

Bedroom Databank Volune 1
Bedroom Databank Volune 2
Bedroom Databank Volune 3
Bedroom Databank Volune 4

The War on Drugs - Various Radio Broadcasts

Anyone that was around in November will already have heard (many times) about how much I love the War on Drugs. Their set at Harvest was pretty good, although an early set is always tough and the audience wasn't particularly enthusiastic. Their show at the Northcote Social Club, on the other hand, was phenomenal. It's probably the only show I've been to where I've felt desperate to hear them keep playing. Since then they don't seem to have played any shows, so hopefully they've taken a breather and are back in the studio. To keep me going I've been listening to some radio sessions as well as some live shows (more on that in another post).

The first radio session is particularly interesting for a couple of reasons. Firstly, there aren't many recordings from the band's early days, so even a short festival set broadcast over the radio is exciting. Secondly, to the best of my knowledge, this is the only recorded performance of Pushing Corn off their EP Barrel of Batteries. That's kind of exciting for fans, but more importantly, the song is actually really good, so getting to hear it has more than just rarity value. It's also interesting to hear how the sound has changed - in particular, how much more prominent the organ is (perhaps partly through a change of personnel).

Second up, another very early set, including a few songs that don't feature in the other sets. In particular, there's a great version of A Needle in Your Eye #16. They usually play a very long version of this to end their shows, the version they played in Melbourne was phenomenal, but I've heard others that aren't as interesting. This version is absolutely phenomenal. Around halfway through the song they break into a woozy ambient section, but then bring it back up again for the ending.

The World Cafe set is only three songs, two from Slave Ambient and one from Wagonwheel Blues (the magnificent Arms Like Boulders).

Finally, another KEXP in studio performance. This one includes the one-two of The Animator and Come to the City. In other good news, they recently posted an update suggesting a new album might not be too far away, I'm looking forward to it.

Philadelphia - 11 July 2008

Arms Like Boulders
Buenos Aires Beach
Pushing Corn
Show Me the Coast
Taking the Farm

KEXP - 18 April 2009

Buenos Aires Beach
Arms Like Boulders
Your Love is Calling My Name
Interview
Show Me the Coast
A Needle in Your Eye #16

World Cafe - 21 September 2011

Best Night
Baby Missiles
Arms Like Boulders

KEXP - 26 October 2011

Best Night
Interview
The Animator
Come to the City

Manic Street Preachers - Festival Hall, 28 June 2013

I've got to kick this off by admitting I'm not a huge fan of the Manics - I know their most famous songs, but not much more. I went along because my girlfriend is a massive fan and has never seen them before. Going in I was a bit unsure about this show, it had been organised so the band could go to a couple of the Lions rugby games. On one hand that meant it was going to be a greatest hits set, which suited me as a casual fan. But on the other it might mean the performance wouldn't be too great - they haven't played for quite a while and don't have much else scheduled for the year. In the end the band was impressively tight, and played a greatest hits set with a couple of rarities thrown in for the hardcore.

The crowd was packed with Lions fans (particularly Welsh ones), which explains the fairly frequent chanting. The sound for this is only OK - Festivall Hall is a pretty mediocre venue for sound and there is a bit of distortion at a couple of points. That said, the recording is very listenable.

Motorcycle Emptiness
Your Love Alone is Not Enough
You Stole the Sun From My Heart
Ocean Spray
Australia
Suicide is Painless (Theme from MASH)
(It's Not War) Just the End of Love
La Tristesse Durera (Scream to a Sigh)
Revol
Everything Must Go
Send Away the Tigers
A Design for Live
The Everlasting
Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You
You Love Us
Little Baby Nothing
Tsunami
Motown Junk
If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next

https://mega.co.nz/#F!0JkWwDDC!TqydQEfTwCw4hbY_WWEL1Q

Milk Carton Kids - St Kilda MeMo, 8 June 2013

A friend recommended this band to me a while back as someone to see this tour, because they're a band on the rise. Having seen them at the tiny (but very civilised) St Kilda MeMo I can't imagine I'll have the chance to see them at a similarly intimate venue again - these guys are incredibly good. Their music is very reminiscent of Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, right down to Kenneth Pattengale being an acoustic guitar virtuoso to match the great Rawlings. Vocally, they are often compared to early Simon and Garfunkel, although I tend to like them more the less that comparison is valid. To add to all that, the two have an incredibly funny banter that they keep up throughout the show.

Recording these quiet shows is always a challenge, this one ends up being pretty good, but I still needed to remove some static from the songs, which effects the quality of them. For anyone that isn't familiar with them, it might be better off to start with their first two albums which are available for free from their website (I put up a link a while back, just click on the Milk Carton Kids label to this post to find it).

Hope of a Lifetime
The Ash & Clay
Honey, Honey
Years Gone By
Charlie
Maybe It's Time
Girls Gather Round
Snake Eyes
Michigan
Permanent
I Still Want a Little More

Memphis

https://mega.co.nz/#F!9RU1DbaI!Q5Zob161CBgHQnDGTTcaNA

Handsome Furs - 22 September 2006, Vancouver Comedy Festival

I've arrived at Handsome Furs via Divine Fits. Having listened to a bit of Handsome Furs it certainly helps to see Divine Fits as a fusion of Britt Daniel and Dan Boeckner's previous work. Sound Kapital is a pretty good record, but the absolute knockout is Plague Park (I'll point out that, even though I've linked these to Amazon, I got Sound Kapital from Real Groovy on a visit to New Zealand (who ship to Australia I think) and Plague Park from Dixons Recycled (who are worth a visit regardless because they have some cheap stuff (when I was there they had Okkervil River's Overboard and Down for $4!!!) The Amazon prices are cheaper than anything I'm aware of, but some folks, like Dixons Recycled, don't list their stock online). I've been listening to it pretty much constantly since getting it. For that reason I've been trying to track down some live Handsome Furs to see how these songs sound live. Unfortunately, it's proved pretty tough. The only thing I've got so far is this - four tracks from before they'd even released an album (and the reason they're playing a comedy festival is a complete mystery to me). On the positive side, this is a soundboard recording (like some soundboards, it doesn't really capture the audience, so is a bit lifeless, but still...). If I find something better I'll post it, but until then, this is the best/only Handsome Furs I could find.

Hearts of Iron
Snakes on the Ladder
Cannot Get Started
Dumb Animals

https://mega.co.nz/#F!NQMSgB7L!Dj_-oU3Ze40RcFiIbb6Ciw

Flight of the Conchords - 5 July 2007, World Cafe

There aren't many live sets from these guys floating round (I'm fairly pleased with the recording I got of their show at the Plenary last year, so check that out if you're interested). This is just a short radio set with interviews (which areamusing in their own right). If you're not familiar with these guys, they're genuinely funny, and I'd recommend checking out their TV series (particularly season one).

https://mega.co.nz/#F!hN0gQIID!EkwyNCObN6h_nsCkfLiDuw

Best Coast - 31 January 2011, Washington DC

I'm picking these guys for a return visit for the Harvest Festival. I recorded their Falls Festival sideshow at the start of the year. It was an alright show, but everything starts to sound the same after a while. They'd probably be more entertaining playing a festival set, so Harvest could be good.

This is from a show broadcast on NPR a couple of years ago, prior to the release of their second album. Similarly to their set here, this starts to sound the same after a while, but it has lots of their good songs from their first album.

Bratty B
Summer Mood
Goodbye
Crazy for You
The End
Make You Mine
Sunny Adventure
Far Away
Fist City
Boyfriend
Wish He Was You
I Want To
When I'm With You
When the Sun Don't Shine
That's the Way Boys Are
Our Deal
When You Wake Up
Sun Was High (So Was I)
Something in the Way

https://mega.co.nz/#F!kEsTAQgL!EcLPgiIHeTRlfSYhdFEy_A