CrashSplat, BANG!

Up until a week ago I had heard about The Hold Steady a few times, but I had never really listened to any of their music. After listening to an interview with the band on a recent Sound Opinions podcast, that all changed. I bought their latest album “Stay Positive” and I’ve been listening pretty much non-stop for a week now. Here are a few observations.

The music of The Hold Steady is straight forward. I almost want to call it simple, but that has negative connotations that wouldn’t apply here. The music just rocks. It doesn’t leave you guessing. You feel like you know what the next chord is going to be, and that’s a good thing. In an indie scene that can sometimes be quite obscure and inaccessible this is a breath of fresh air.

The music and the lyrics often seem to be at odds, and I don’t mean that in a bad way. The music feels like big arena anthem rock while the lyrics have a depth that you would expect in hear in some small, smokey, dimly-lit club. The music feels upbeat while the lyrics are dealing with sad and tragic situations. In the song, Sequestered in Memphis, the main character is being questioned by the authorities after something awful has happened to a girl he had a one-night rendezvous with. “In bar light she looked all right, in daylight she looked desperate. That’s alright I was desperate too”.

During the Sound Opinions interview Craig Finn, the lead singer, discusses his love for reading. It’s obvious in listening to his lyrics that there is a literary depth that is not often present in music today. It makes for great song writing. This is a great band and album.

I’m not sure where I’ve been (actualy, I’ve been at work), but all of a sudden there’s a flurry of great bands coming to play in the Triangle. I wish I had learned of these a little sooner, so that I could have gotten tickets (well I guess there’s only one that is sold out). Here’s a list of shows you might consider checking out:

• Iron & Wine – Apr 15th
  Memorial Hall
  This show is sold out. I’m pretty bummed. Me… want… to go!
• Son Volt – Apr 24th
  Lincoln Theatre
  I missed them the last time they were in town. Hopefully I can catch them this time around. If you’re into the whole Uncle Tupelo, Wilco, and Son Volt scene then obviously you have to check them out.
• The Swell Season – May 15th
  Meymandi Concert Hall
  This is the crew from the movie Once. I’m so pumped about this show. I would guess this show has the potential to sellout. So, make sure you jump on Ticketmaster fast. I believe tickets go on sale February 29th.
• Josh Ritter – Apr 30th
  Cat’s Cradle
  If you missed him the last time around, you’ve GOT to go see him. Simply a fantastic performer. You’ll love it… I promise.

Ok here are my top ten albums of 2007. I listened to a lot of music this year (that was one of last year’s resolutions). Some from artists I’ve loved for a long time, and many others were totally new to me. All in all is was a decent year for tunes.

1. The Historical Conquest of Josh Ritter – Josh Ritter
   It’s hard to find a bad song on this album. The tunes are singable and I’ve had this on the playlist since it came out. I had a chance to see him in concert at The Cat’s Cradle back in November and it was one of the greatest live shows I’ve seen in a long time.
2. Challengers – The New Pornographers
   This was the first Pornographers (interesting name) album for me, and it didn’t disappoint. Most of the tunes are great, but I really like “All the Old Showstoppers”, and “Myriad Harbour”.
3. Traffic and Weather – Fountains of Wayne
   This album is just plain fun. These guys are real story tellers. Often I don’t know whether to sing along or laugh out loud, but mostly I just smile. This album is really good. “Someone to Love” and “‘92 Subaru” are my faves.
4. Asleep at Heaven’s Gate – Rogue Wave
   Rogue Wave was a new find for me this year. Really soothing and interesting sounds. I’ve played this one a lot.
5. In Rainbows – Radiohead
   It’s Radiohead, what can you say? I’ve actually had a hard time with some of their stuff in the recent past, but this album is great. I also love the distribution method. These guys always seem to be shaking things up.
6. The Stage Names – Okkervil River
   Another really fun album. I saw them at The Cat’s Cradle back in October. It was a very lively show and great fun.
7. The Shepherd’s Dog – Iron & Wine
   It took a few plays before I really got into this one, but when I did I listened nonstop. Thanks to Mr. Murphy for this one.
8. Sky Blue Sky – Wilco
   It’s Wilco, BUY IT!
9. The Ringing Bell – Derek Webb
   Another great album from Webb. I really like “I Wanna Marry You All Over Again”, and “This Too Shall Be Made Right”. I had the chance to see Derek at The Lincoln Theatre in 07 and he was great.
10. Wincing the Night Away – The Shins
    First Shins album for me. It’s good, check it out.

Paste Magazine has a limited time, “Name your own price” subscription offer going. I guess this is in the spirit of the recent Radiohead “In Rainbows” release. Paste is a great magazine if you are into music at all, and the sampler CDs are worth the cost of the subscription themselves. Anyway, go grab a subscription. (via the big noob)

I love music. Listening to it. Playing it. But for some reason I have never been good at talking extensively about it, or for that matter reviewing it, but I want to get better.

Last night I had the privilege of seeing Josh Ritter play at The Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro/Chapel Hill. I first started listening to Ritter last year when his album, The Animal Years hit, so I am pretty new to his stuff, but I’ve fallen in love pretty fast. His current tour is in support of his latest album The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter.

Ritter typically gets dumped into the generic “Pop” genre. This label is probably as good as anything seeing as I typically find most of the genre distinctions these days useless. In the past I would have labeled Ritter as more “Folk” but his latest album probably pushes that. His song writing is incredible whether you label it “Pop” or “Folk”. I think he is a bit Dylan-esque, but with a better voice (hoping not to get struck by lightening). Listening to his music makes me want to sit down with him over coffee or a beer and talk with him about life.

As for the show, it was pretty incredible. The Cat’s Cradle was packed. There was a very wide age range present, which is a bit unusual for The Cat’s Cradle, but speaks to Ritter’s wide appeal. Both opening acts were actually good (one of them was REALLY good). I find that this is usually not the case, but it was a pleasant surprise, and worth getting there on time. Ritter took it to the next level, though. From the very start he exudes an energy that infects the crowd. He never stops smiling, and genuinely seems delighted to be performing. I got the feeling that the guy LOVES what he is doing. He looks like a kid in a candy store. His band is awesome. They move from song to song in almost one continuous stream. Ritter seems intent upon giving the audience a good show. To quote him, he said, “We live for these 2 hours every night”, and I believe him. I loved it. I would go see him again in a heart beat.

So, check him out. Grab his latest album, and if you get a chance GO SEE HIM; he won’t disappoint!