Music in My Year

Hey everyone,

I don't want to disappoint, but this post isn't going to be about a live show I went to. I have decided, on this late date in 2011, to reflect upon the music that has affected my life the most this year. I found some new bands, a favorite band of mine broke up, and as always I have some kind of obsession. With all this in mind, here are my thoughts on this year in music - my music.

1) LCD Soundsystem. I am so sad that they have broken up, because their album "This Is Happening" has pretty much ruled my life for the past six months. The more I listen to it, the more I love it. Aside from the wonderful and most often played "I Can Change," "Drunk Girls," and "Dance Yrself Clean," there are so many more amazing songs on the album. "All I Want" is just, well, beautiful, and gives me that feeling of yearning within which I can experience every emotion I've ever felt in my life (sidenote: I prefer the London Session version). "All My Friends" reminds me of all the great times I've had with groups of friends, and all the good times I can imagine happening in the future. It's upbeat but still has that tinge of reminiscence that deepens the emotion beyond just "happy." I like songs that imply a hint of sadness within what is otherwise gorgeous and exhilarating, so I think it's amazing in its complexity. "Home," both the song and the concept, has had a special meaning for me this year, having lived in 3 different places within these 12 months. All the other songs are equally enjoyable - "Daft Punk Is Playing At My House," "Pow Pow," "Yr City Is A Sucker," "One Touch" - they're never enough! This album is definitely on my "Best Of Eternity" list.

2) The Virgins. I found their song "Rich Girls" just a few weeks ago, and I'm totally hooked. It's catchy, sexy, has fun lyrics, and makes me want to shake my groove thing. I feel rich and sexy when it's on, so of course I love it! I'm desperately hoping that they end up at First Ave or 7th Street Entry sometime next year. I kind of doubt it, since their last EP was released in 2007, but maybe they'll get some more music going and end up in Minneapolis. A girl can dream...

3) Dom. I went to see this band at 7th Street Entry this year - I failed to post about it due to my own inebriation that evening - and I totally love their energy. Their biggest song, "Living in America," makes me feel like life is good, fun, and sexy; that maybe I can still do everything I want to do; and that jumping around in my living room (or at the Entry) with a huge grin on my face is okay.

4) The Goondas. As always, my most favoritest local band deserves a mention. Their new album, Chud, came out this year much to my delight, and their release show at the Entry was super kickass. And how could I fail to mention their awesome set at my birthday party in July!! (Note: Josh's new nickname is Eggman. Ask if you require more details.) I'm sad that I missed their last show in 2011, but I hope to be a regular again at their shows in 2012.

5) Kaiser Chiefs. I know they've already been exposed as one of my favorite bands of all time, but I had an epiphany this year. Their song "Remember You're A Girl" from the Off With Their Heads album has been named my defining song. It's "My Theme Song." Officially. If I make it to their show in Vancouver on March 25, they might be on my list for 2012, too! What is it with me having to cross the country to see them play live?!

6) Jarvis Cocker. I only have one song of his, but man, it is to be relished. "Don't Let Him Waste Your Time" should be the rallying song of all single women everywhere. Or their friends who watch them date morons, assholes, losers, and douchebags. Or bartenders. (Too soon?)

7) M. Ward. My second theme song is his "Magic Trick," and I smile every single time I hear it. I usually sing along, actually, even if I'm at work and get strange looks from my coworkers. Or I mouth along and get even stranger looks. I'm pretty used to that though.

8) Fun dance music. I'll admit, I've done more than my fair share of dancing in my living room this year. All three of my living rooms, that is, usually with a beer/wine/mixed drink on the coffee table. I've been addicted to the following songs for my dancing frenzies:
"SexyBack" by Justin Timberlake;
"Lovesick" by Lindstrom & Christabelle;
"Poker Face" and "Scheisse" by Lady Gaga;
"Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z;
"Living In America" by Dom;
"She's Enough" by Atmosphere; and
"Amor Fati" by Washed Out.

9) Guilty pleasures. Yes, I have a selection of cheesy songs that I'm hesitant to admit that I have loved this year. Like, I loved them so much I paid for them. Yeah. Seriously. Please don't judge - I'm willing to bet that I'm not the only one!
"I Want a New Drug" by Huey Lewis & The News
"I Kissed a Girl" and "Hot N Cold" by Katy Perry
"Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)" by Beyonce
"In a Big Country" by Big Country
"Since U Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson
Now, I'll admit, a lot of these happened after watching one too many VH1 "I Love The..." specials while drinking. That's my excuse.

I hope you've enjoyed this musical retrospective. I certainly have. And I'm sure there are a lot more songs or artists that I could have mentioned, but I'm going to call this as definitive as I can make it. I hope you all had a great 2011, and here's to a fabulous 2012!

Evening Rig & Arms Akimbo @ 7th St Entry

Technically, the headliner at this show was The Alarmists, but I only heard the first 30 seconds of their first song, so I feel more qualified to speak to the quality of their openers. It is there that I shall begin.

Evening Rig was the first band on the bill. They played solid, fine-tuned Southern Rock. Meaning, they sounded a bit like Lynyrd Skynyrd or The Black Crowes. Or 10w40, but with less sleazy sex and more energy. Overall enjoyable bar music. It was when they ended their set with covers that their sound fell a little flat. Tom Petty they are not, but then again, who else can be?

Arms Akimbo was extremely fun to listen to! They reminded me of The English Beat meets Vampire Weekend - an English ska/mod mixture that rubbed me the right way. The Beatles cover they played fit right into their bouncy music, and the singing bassist was impressive. In fact, their entire set was fun and energetic. I wonder if it's a sign of the times that silly, light-headed music like this is so popular. I don't really care either way - I love it!! And was the kid in the England sweatshirt hilarious? Yes. Did I make fun of him? Of course. And the tall girl too. My judgmental gaze passes over no one.

To end my review: the Alarmists were acceptable.

P.S. I'd like to give a shout out to Brian Diamond, aka the best Rainbow cab driver ever. He killed none of us, including me for calling him a drug addict, and gave us jazz hands. This post is dedicated to you.

Amazing Baby @ 7th Street Entry

I was in attendance at the Amazing Baby show at 7th Street Entry on Saturday, September 12. It was quite an experience. My drunkenness probably didn't help matters. (Professional reviewer I am not.)

The first band, The Parlour Suite, consisted of two individuals: a young lady who had excellent cheekbones and was reminiscent of Bo Derek; and a young man who was apparently sporting a broken hand, although no bandage was present. Their sound was sweet, and seemed to be a strange cross between Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles, and the soundtrack of Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? I loved the blow-Casio keyboard - always a classic and last witnessed at a Moss Piglets performance - but dude ended the show before she (i.e. the singer) was ready. I guess that hand must have been hurting.

The second band was The Entrance Band. I felt like I had instantly been transported into the 1970's, trapped somewhere between Led Zeppelin and Dazed and Confused. The music was excellently performed and the show was very enjoyable. I loved the white flare jeans, and didn't realize the gender of the bassist until a new friend pointed out that she was wearing fabulous heels. I have in the past enjoyed my share of "classic rock," and I promise that The Entrance Band will not disappoint if you see them and aren't totally against the genre.

Finally, Amazing Baby took the stage. I was surprised that such beautiful and layered music could come from such scruffy looking dudes, but they were truly as amazing as their name suggests. Between the fog machine and lasers, my visual sense was overwhelmed in the best way. My ears were feasting in layers of sound. Until I had a drink spilled down my back. Was it necessary to flash my middle finger so many times, to so many people? Doubtful. However, once I was pacified by a free drink from the offender's boyfriend, I was again floating in a sea of bliss. Amazing Baby doesn't have any more dates set up in the Minneapolis area, but I definitely recommend seeing them if you get the chance. You can even sing the harmony parts since they don't!