Review: Neutral Milk Hotel @ The Tower Theater (1/29/14)

Photo courtesy of peterhutchins.tumblr.com
Photo courtesy of peterhutchins.tumblr.com

By Nick Stropko

So, it has happened. Years of anticipation, speculation, and blind hope have culminated, and the day has gone and passed. I have seen Neutral Milk Hotel.

Naturally, I have rapturous praise for the concert. Of course Jeff Magnum’s voice has retained it’s power, its winding intensity, its ability to reach just a little higher than it probably should and sell it regardless (he did have the slightest of problems during “Two-Headed Boy, Pt. 1,” but it really just served to humanize what has become a deified figure). Of course it was gratifying in a way Jeff’s solo shows were not to see the whole band together–Julian Koster rotating in place with his bass and playing the singing saw, Scott Spillane working an array of brass instruments, and Jeremy Barnes frantically keeping everything together. They really nailed the eclectic instrumentation present in NMH records, with the singing saw, zanzithophone, and electronic bagpipe, among many more, making appearances. Of course standing in a room full of people singing along to “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea” with Jeff Magnum is going to send chills down your spine. Of course, of course, of course.

However, rapturous praise is kind of boring. Pretty much every account of the show I have gotten has been overwhelmingly positive. Instead, I’d like to offer an array of stray thoughts I had during the show.

  • While Magnum’s voice has certainly not lessened in intensity, it seems like his range has become ever so slightly more limited. I think a few of the songs were played a few steps down, and he reaalllyyy had to strain to hit that note in “Two Headed Boy, Pt. 1.”
  • I can’t really tell if I like Jeremy Barnes’s drumming or not. Maybe I’m just being silly, but it seems like he has trouble maintaining the beat during fills. Is it possible that Jeremy Barnes is actually not a very good drummer at all? Is this just a weird stylistic thing that I’m not grasping? THIS IS OF GRAVE CONCERN.
  • I really enjoy the stage dynamic of Neutral Milk Hotel. Jeff was pretty much unrecognizable–he received no applause when he walked onstage, his mess of hair making him look like a roadie in a fantastic sweater. He spoke little but seemed gracious, maintaining his weird indie god aura while not coming off as too stuck-up.
  • Isn’t this whole tour kind of remarkable? Maybe this is well-tread ground, but I think it’s worth restating every now and again that a band can sell out major venues across the country largely based on the strength of a record they put out on an indie label in 1998.
  • The “Ghost”–>”[untitled]”–>”Two Headed Boy, Pt. 2″ combo during the encore was phenomenal. Phenomenal. When I saw them break out the electronic bagpipe, I kind of freaked out and definitely sang along to a bagpipe part. No shame.
  • Fuck it, I can’t think of anything else that’s negative. It was a really great show, and I’m thankful I got to see it.

If you missed out on Jeff and co. last week, fear not! They’re playing at The Mann on July 21st. I highly recommend you attend.

Top Played Artists 1/28-2/3

1 WARPAINT – Warpaint
2 JAMES VINCENT MCMORROW – Post Tropical
3 TOY – Join The Dots
4 THE DISTRICTS – The Districts [EP]
5 PAINTED PALMS – Forever
6 LAWRENCE ARMS – Metropole
7 GARDENS AND VILLA – Dunes
8 DUM DUM GIRLS – Too True
9 DOG BITE – Tranquilizers
10 HIGH HIGHS – Open Season Deluxe Edition
11 LOS CAMPESINOS! – No Blues
12 DADS – Pretty Good [EP]
13 DAMIEN JURADO – Brothers And Sisters Of The Eternal Son
14 HOSPITALITY – Trouble
15 CYMBALS – The Age Of Fracture
16 TENNIS – Small Sound [EP]
17 WOODEN SHJIPS – Back To Land
18 THEE OH SEES – Singles Collection, Volume 3
19 GRIZZLY BEAR – Shields: Expanded
20 BOY AND BEAR – Harlequin Dream
21 STEPHEN MALKMUS AND THE JICKS – Wig Out At Jagbags
22 YOUNG AND SICK – Magnolia [EP]
23 AUTUMN DEFENSE – Fifth
24 SHARON JONES AND THE DAP-KINGS – Give The People What They Want
25 CIBO MATTO – Hotel Valentine
26 QUILT – Held In Splendor
27 TOGETHER PANGEA – Badillac
28 SAINT RICH – Beyond The Drone
29 JACK NAME – Light Show
30 SKY FERREIRA – Night Time, My Time

Concert Review: Dr. Dog at Eletric Factory 2/1/14

Image

There really is nothing quite like a Dr. Dog performance. If there’s any band that can instantly turn my mood around, it’s them. I was lucky enough to catch the band for my fifth time at the Electric Factory. February 1st’s show was their second of two sold out shows in Philly and the energy from the night before carried into this show as well. The Pennsylvania locals played a high octane set that lasted almost two hours. The entire range of their albums were covered, including “Say Ahhh” from their 2002 album Toothbrush to singles from their latest release entitled B-Room.

Crowd favorites like their Architecture in Helsinki cover of “Heart it Races” and “Lonesome” had the entire room singing along. Vocalists Toby Leaman and Scott McMicken took turns with belting out their respective songs as well as joking around in between tunes. They also expressed their gratitude for Philly’s overwhelming support of the band through the years. During their encore they had the Philly Phanatic join the stage during “Oh No.” Steve Marion from the opener Saint Rich joined the band as well to solo on “Easy Beat.” Marion is also the mastermind behind the band Delicate Steve.

Overall, Dr. Dog did not disappoint the sold out crowd at the Factory. They will continue their extensive tour that goes well into March in support of B-Room.

Top Played Artists1/21-1/27

1 JAMES VINCENT MCMORROW – Post Tropical
2 DAMIEN JURADO – Brothers And Sisters Of The Eternal Son
3 TOY – Join The Dots
4 DADS – Pretty Good [EP]
5 TENNIS – Small Sound [EP]
6 DOG BITE – Tranquilizers
7 HIGH HIGHS – Open Season Deluxe Edition
8 WOODEN SHJIPS – Back To Land
9 LOS CAMPESINOS! – No Blues
10 GRIZZLY BEAR – Shields: Expanded
11 FLASHLIGHTS – Don’t Take Me Seriously [EP]
12 WHITE DENIM – Corsicana Lemonade
13 BLACK HOLLIES – Somewhere Between Here And Nowhere
14 GOOD OLD WAR – Live From The City Of Brotherly Love
15 STEPHEN MALKMUS AND THE JICKS – Wig Out At Jagbags
16 SKY FERREIRA – Night Time, My Time
17 DROWNERS – Drowners
18 PAINTED PALMS – Forever
19 SAINT RICH – Beyond The Drone
20 THEE OH SEES – Singles Collection, Volume 3
21 DUCKTAILS – Wish Hotel [EP]
22 GRINGO STAR – Floating Out To See
23 SHARON JONES AND THE DAP-KINGS – Give The People What They Want
24 MILOSH – Jetlag
25 CIBO MATTO – Hotel Valentine
26 PEGGY SUE – Choir Of Echoes
27 AUTUMN DEFENSE – Fifth
28 WARPAINT – Warpaint
29 HABIBI – Habibi
30 FUZZ – Live In San Francisco

Top Played Artists 1/14-1/20

1 TOY – Join The Dots
2 JAMES VINCENT MCMORROW – Post Tropical
3 DUCKTAILS – Wish Hotel
4 TENNIS – Small Sound
5 PAINTED PALMS – Forever
6 WOODEN SHJIPS – Back To Land
7 GRIZZLY BEAR – Shields: Expanded
8 THEE OH SEES – Singles Collection, Volume 3
9 WHITE DENIM – Corsicana Lemonade
10 LOS CAMPESINOS! – No Blues
11 MARIJUANA DEATHSQUADS – Oh My Sexy Lord
12 SHARON JONES AND THE DAP-KINGS – Give The People What They Want
13 YUCK – Glow And Behold
14 GRINGO STAR – Floating Out To See
15 SKY FERREIRA – Night Time, My Time
16 CULTS – Static
17 FUZZ – Live In San Francisco
18 HIGH HIGHS – Open Season Deluxe Edition
19 SEASICK MAMA – Tip Top Shape
20 THAO AND THE GET DOWN STAY DOWN – We The Common
21 BEEDEEGEE – Sum/One
22 DAMIEN JURADO – Brothers And Sisters Of The Eternal Son
23 MILOSH – Jetlag
24 LONELY FOREST – Adding Up The Wasted Hours
25 GRISWOLDS – Heart Of A Lion
26 LA LUZ – It’s Alive
27 BLOOD ORANGE – Cupid Deluxe
28 BIG TREE – My, How You’ve Grown
29 HISTORY OF APPLE PIE – Out Of View
30 HISS GOLDEN MESSENGER – Bad Debt

Concert Review: King Krule at Johnny Brenda’s 12/7/13

1503371_10152228743726579_926099595_n

by Kirsten Becker

I could be the biggest King Krule fan I know. Since discovering him in 2011 I have been completely obsessed with his completely unique brand of music. King Krule is largely a “love it or hate it” kind of artist, but there’s no denying his incredible talent. Archy Marshall, the 19-year old mastermind behind the project has created a sound all his own. His thick South East London accent doused in heavy reverb combined with hip hop beats and minimalist guitar riffs creates an almost dream-like kind of music. For someone so young, it’s almost astounding how intricately crafted each song on his debut LP 6 Feet Beneath the Moon really is.

Marshall’s December 7th stop in Philadelphia at Johnny Brenda’s was part of his first headlining tour in America, so it was obviously something I had been looking forward to for sometime. To add to the excitement, the show sold out months beforehand.

TOPS opened the show with their 60s-inspired indie rock sound. The Montreal band features ethereal and breathy vocals from Jane Penny over punchy pop guitars and drums. They played songs off of their first full length album, Tender Opposites, which came out last year.

Entering the stage at a little past 11 PM, King Krule took control with their moody brand of indie rock. The band played most of their songs from 6 Feet Beneath the Moon as well as some tracks from their 2011 self-titled EP, most notably the single “The Noose of Jah City.” The dim lighting added to the band’s dark aesthetic and Marshall’s frantic dance moves were a sight to see.

What really shone through was the talent of the band overall. Each member had fine tuned each riff and melody, everything just seemed to click. The show was definitely one of my favorites that I have yet to see. It is looking like things can only get better for King Krule, the wild success of his first album has catapulted him into the spotlight for sure.

Top Played Artists 1/7-1/13

1 DUCKTAILS – Wish Hotel
2 TENNIS – Small Sound
3 CULTS – Static
4 WOODEN SHJIPS – Back To Land
5 LOS CAMPESINOS! – No Blues
6 YUCK – Glow And Behold
7 GRIZZLY BEAR – Shields: Expanded
8 GRINGO STAR – Floating Out To See
9 PARQUET COURTS – Tally All The Things That You Broke
10 OF MONTREAL – Lousy With Sylvianbriar
11 DALE EARNHARDT JR. JR. – The Speed Of Things
12 MARIJUANA DEATHSQUADS – Oh My Sexy Lord
13 WHITE FENCE – Live In San Francisco
14 BLOOD ORANGE – Cupid Deluxe
15 HEAD AND THE HEART – Let’s Be Still
16 GRISWOLDS – Heart Of A Lion
17 ANTHONY GREEN – Young Legs
18 WHITE DENIM – Corsicana Lemonade
19 CUT COPY – Free Your Mind
20 TITLE FIGHT – Spring Songs
21 DARKSIDE – Psychic
22 THEE OH SEES – Singles Collection, Volume 3
23 SHY GIRLS – Timeshare
24 SALLIE FORD AND THE SOUND OUTSIDE – Summer
25 GROSS GHOST – Public Housing
26 PIXIES – EP-1
27 ALBERT HAMMOND JR. – AHJ
28 POLICA – Shulamith
29 LA LUZ – It’s Alive
30 CHEAP TIME – Exit Smiles