The Run Down – Sunday July 13, 2008

Good god there’s some shows tonight!  Here in Baltimore the Ottobar has Langhorne Slim, Scruggs, and our friends The Red Vines.  Over at the Talking Head Jeremy Jay performs with A Cat Called Cricket, Pepi Ginsberg, and the lovely Abby Mott opening.  Right next door to that is Jay Reatard playing Sonar with Vincent Black Shado and Ratsize.  In DC the Velvet Lounge has Imaad Wasif with Two Part Beast, Jason Simon, and The Dustys.  Finally in Philly, Johnny Brenda’s has Cheers Elephant, Elf Power, and Ham1 while The Fire has The Bloodsugars, Anna Christie, Cowmuddy, Frontier Ruckus, and Hoots & Hellmouth.  Photo by Emily Rawlings

mp3: Langhorne Slim – Tipping Point

mp3: The Red Vines – Once

mp3: Imaad Wasif with Two Part Beast – Oceanic

mp3: The Bloodsugars – Cinderella

mp3: Jeremy Jay – Beautiful Dreamer

mp3: Abby Mott – Snow

mp3: Pepi Ginsberg – Lately

Beck For President

A while back I heard through the grapevine that the next Beck album was being produced by Danger Mouse.  I almost had a heart attack.  I’m a pretty big fan of Beck and Danger Mouse, so to hear they were joining forces was quite an elating moment.  Now that I hold Modern Guilt in my hands I can honestly say they didn’t disappoint.  Is anyone surprised that Beck did something different on Modern Guilt?  Of course not because he’s the master genre splicer.  What’s amazing about this most recent change is that Beck has crossed the bridge to creating deep emotional pieces as he did on Sea Change, but utilizing his trademark experimental sounds (Guero, The Information, Odelay, etc.).  Maybe this is the influence of Danger mouse.  DM shines all over this album with his patented rhythms, but also with his astounding ability to sense the mood and dynamic of each Beck song and mature it to another level.  I can’t say this is a classic Beck album yet, but I pretty sure that will come.  It hasn’t quite sank in yet.

mp3: Beck – Walls

mp3: Beck – Youthless

Calico Horse Of Course

Clock Work Army was a good indie band.  But sometimes the fall of one thing brings the rise of something greater.  Clock Work Army faded, but singer and co-songwriter Emily Neveu and guitarist Scott Wheeler set off on their own path of Calico Horse.  On June 24th they released their debut, Mirror, on Banter Records.  With the help of Paul Jenkins (The Black Heart Procession) as producer, Neveu crafted a set of songs that recalls early Death Cab For Cutie, but also works in timely industrial backgrounds to shift your focus a bit while taking in their soft pop delight.  Calico Horse doesn’t try to create an overpowering force to wow you.  They smoothly pick their poisons and lull you into their unique hypnotic world. image from seizo.org

mp3: Calico Horse – Awaken In The Clouds

mp3: Calico Horse – Happy Placebo Syringe Day

The Run Down – Saturday July 12, 2008

Tonight there’s a load of shows in DC, but in Baltimore don’t miss Eureka Birds at SCarey Studios.  If your in DC, The Red and the Black has Jeremy Jay, The Jackfields, and Pepi while DC9 has Feedback Dance Party featuring Devlin & Darko (Spank Rock), Dmerit, and DJ Stereo Faith.  The 9:30 has an early and late show – both good.  The early show is Alejandro Escovedo and Vandaveer while the late show is Brazilian Girls.  Finally in Philly, The Fire has Hezekiah Jones, Nicole Atkins & The Sea, O’Death, and The Spinning Leaves.

mp3: Jeremy Jay – Airwalker

mp3: Vandaveer – The Streets Is Full Of Creeps

mp3: Brazilian Girls – Rules Of The Game

mp3: Dr. Octagon – Trees (Spank Rock Remix)

mp3: Hezekiah Jones – Burning Up So Badly

mp3: The Spinning Leaves – Bridges For Free

The Run Down – Friday July 11, 2008

Tonight in DC the Rock and Roll Hotel has Half Japanese, Julie Ocean, and Aliens.  In Phill the Fire has The Redwalls, Ezra Furman and the Harpoons, and Grammar Debate.  Finally in Philly the Starlight Ballroom has the Fuck Yeah Festival stopping by with Matt & Kim, Team Robespierre, Monotonix, Paint It Black, Dillinger Four, and Circle Jerks.  Photo By NR

mp3: Julie Ocean – At The Appointed Hour

mp3: The Redwalls – Summer Romance

mp3: Grammar Debate – I Stab Myself To Sleep