Imagine Dragons and Atlas Genius, Roseland Ballroom 2.23.13

It was a pretty shitty week.  When Friday rolled around my wife asked me to meet for lunch.  "It is a vodka rocks kind of day" she said.  "They all are, aren't they?"  I wondered.  It is because we have certain responsibilities we don't drink ourselves into oblivion.  It would be more fun, wouldn't it?  And a whole lot easier.  We managed to get through it though (relatively unscathed.)  As we stepped foot into the Roseland Ballroom last night we got some vindication.  This is what the payoff is.  Art.  Culture.  Entertainment.  The day to day struggles feel far, far away in the presence of art.  It is a gathering of friends.  It is the re-telling of stories.  It is hugs exchanged.  It is smiles shared.  And for a few, maybe even that vodka rocks (or 3.)  It is the reason we live where we live.  For four or five hours we could forget about the home we lost out on this week.  We had a contract and were outbid if you are scoring at home.  We could forget about our own home inspection that had its own share of missteps (it was built about a hundred years ago folks, it ain't new construction!!)  Credit card bills and homework assignments be damned.  Bring on the rock and bring on the roll.

It is somewhat surprising Australian act Atlas Genius released their debut record (When it Was Now) this week.  Their song "Trojans" has been kicking around for years.   Since we had our 10 year old with us we arrived very early.  We were surprised to find the floor 3/4 filled at 7:30.  Apparently the buzz is great for these guys.  The band consists of vocalist and guitarist Keith Jeffery, his brothers Michael on drums and Steven on bass and Darren Sell on keyboards.  Their set was pleasant, if not earth shattering.  After a few songs my daughter leaned over to my wife and commented "their songs all kinda sound the same."  Out of the mouth of children I thought.  But you know what, she was right. Keith's voice is fine and his guitar work beyond capable.  There were two things working against him/them though.  First, Roseland is a big room.  As they have a more intimate, laid back vibe, it was difficult for them to fill the air with sound.  Their sound is mood based with little room for jams, or free wheeling improvs.   They have a Sting/Police thing going for them which, in my opinion, is being done  better by South African band A Civil Twilight.  They had a record release party at Music Hall of Williamsburg earlier in the week.  That room, and ones like Webster Hall or Irving Plaza, suit them a bit better.  But when asked to open/play a venue this size you have to take it.  We just don't have to love it.  The second issue was production value.  When Imagine Dragons hit the stage a half hour later that point was driven home.

For more Atlas Genius:  "If So"  fun little song that was my favorite from last night.

"Symptoms"  The song they open their set with.

Atlas Genius official site

Atlas Genius, 2.23.13

Atlas Genius plays to packed a house.

By now everyone has heard Las Vegas rockers Imagine Dragons monster hit "It's Time."   When Glee does a version of your song it is not, in this blogger's opinion, a good thing.  Mainstream success can be a great thing.  Gotye, Fun, Of Monsters of Men and many others have crossed over and become pop stars.  Imagine Dragons are no different.  Like those other acts it turns out they have an impressive catalog and can play the holy hell out of it live.  Throw in the production values befitting a headliner (crisper sound, light show, and most importantly a giant tom tom we called the "Radioactive" drum) and let's just say Imagine Dragons are a rip roaring, energetic and fun time.  Get. On. Board.

"It's Time" might be the track that gave them fame, but ""Radioactive" is clearly their signature song.  For the record, the video is maybe the worst ever.  Weird puppets?  Lou Diamond Philips as weird puppet war lord?  Weird puppet cock fighting?  In any event, the song is genius.  The song live is epic. Big percussion.   Rock anthem, sing along lyrics.  Driving bass and angry, but elegant guitar licks.  Add in the free wheeling, improv chops that Atlas Genius did NOT have and we were left mouths wide open.  It was a soaring high point and worth the price of admission.  It is why we left shortly thereafter.  It could not have gotten better!  OK, maybe some excess vodka and the age of our daughter had something to do with leaving before the money shot. (do we really need to hear "It's Time" again anyway??)  Sometimes it is good to get out while you are riding high.  And this morning I find myself wanting more.  Last night was proof very positive that these guys are not going anywhere.  Count me in for their next stop in the greatest City on Earth.  And it is safe to say that the sold out crowd that adored every minute feels the same way.  Download their debut record Night Visions and thank me later.

Imagine Dragons, Roseland Ballroom 2.23.13

Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons.  Terrific voice and stage presence.  Picture by my daughter.

The "Radioactive" drum

For more Imagine Dragons log on here:
Imagine Dragons official site

Diversions

Heavy winds, unimaginable waters, gas lines, fallen trees and then a snow storm.  Yet, we are the lucky ones.  The Northeast has been ravaged and the landscape of my youth (Seaside Heights, NJ) and now (NYC) has been forever changed.

As the region continues to rebuild and move forward may I offer a diversion?  That is, let's all take time to forget!  When you wake up tomorrow Staten Island will still be a mess.  They will need your help now, and for years to come.  

Step away from the dour coverage and zone a bit.  You deserve it.  The election is over.  With it, we are free of robo-calls and tedious political ads.  Can this finally be the end of Linda McMahon?  Has Vince given her a camel clutch yet??

Find your favorite audio/visual device and enjoy folks.  Art.  Saves.  Lives.

Here are 10 diddies old and new that have helped me get through the past fortnight.  

Diiv "How Long Have You Known?"  Brooklyn band released their debut album earlier this year.  More of the "New Surf" movement (see: Real Estate, Caveman, et al.)  Dreamy guitar licks and soft melodies are the stars here.  Hopelessly addicted to its charms.  They are part of a great double bill with Canadian rockers Japandroids 12.4 @ Webster Hall.  You really should go.  Tix and info here

Django Django "Default"  British psych-synth act who also released their debut album earlier this year. I hear Thomas Dolby, and Frankie Goes to Hollywood, and Erasure.  The Manchester movement of the 80s is definitely in their DNA.  Goofy simplicity that gets in your head and refuses to escape.

Erasure "A Little Respect"  Vince Clarke is an absolute beast!!   His fingerprints can be found on Depeche Mode, Yaz and Erasure, to name a few.  You cannot mention 80s Brit Synth without including Clarke (and his partner Andy Bell for that matter.)  This is source material for the 80s renaissance we are witness to today.  This is a perfect pop song.

Pet Shop Boys "West End Girls"  I have a soft spot for this one because I do a mean Neil Tennant.  That wispy, exaggerated lisp plays to my strengths.  All that aside this is still one an 80s classic.  Some songs grow stale and boring over time.  Not this one.

M83 "Steve McQueen"  Their NJ show a few weeks ago was a real eye opener and one of my favorite shows of the year.  This track stood out and has been getting frequent plays on whichever device is handy.  Have you joined Spotify yet folks?  If not you should, and then play this song over, and over again.

Imagine Dragons "Radioactive"  Here performed live (a little shaky I might add) on Jimmy Kimmel.  Las Vegas rockers who also have a debut record from 2012.  Everyone and their mother knows their smash hit "It's Time".  The entire record is pretty strong and this second single is proof positive.  Plus I think the folks at Glee will not want to cover it.  That in itself adds some street cred.

Bryan Adams "One Night Love Affair"  For a while there Bryan Adams was a force on the rock charts.  "Cuts Like a Knife" and "Summer of 69" are undisputed mega-hits.  I heard this a few days back and couldn't help think of the Val Kilmer cult classic Real Genius.  This played during the raucous pool party scene when our hero Mitch was busted by Jerry the science prof.  Such good stuff!  "What is that popcorn, I hate popcorn, get it away from me."  Kilmer's Chris Knight:  "Great, now I know what to get you for your birthday."  There are about two dozen lines memorable lines in that film.  How many can you remember from ANY of Judd Apatow's movies?  Where was I?  Oh yeah, this is a good song.

Cheap Trick "The Flame"  A song I probably dismissed when it was released way back when.  It was the bands first #1 single and dominated radio play.  Even though it brings back memories of awkward pool dances and bad skin I find myself digging it.  Power ballads and hair bands were staples of the 80s.  It gets no better.

Def Leppard "Bringing on the Heartbreak"  OK, maybe it does get better.  Before every white kid in suburbia was issued Pyromania this track (off their debut album) was a minor hit.  Sure "Foolin," "Rock Of Ages" and "Photograph" get all the glory.  But don't forget about the single that acted as our Union Jack shirt wearing introduction to them.  Two handed drumming never sounded better.

Avett Brothers "Live and Die"  Good old fashioned, banjo picking, alt country, toe tapping, folk goodness.  These brothers from North Carolina are not for everyone.  If you can't get into this groove I am not sure they ever will be.  It is easy listening, unpretentious fun.  Give it a try.

This blogger hopes everyone reading has been spared from the destruction that has enveloped the Northeast.  We wish you good health, much happiness and the ability to enjoy some music in the most carefree of setting.

Join the conversation.  What songs have caught your attention?  New or old.

What You Should Know, Summer 2012 Part 1

The summer is a great time for music!  Put the top down and cruise listening to the latest hits.  Host a barbeque and blast the boom box to the oldies.  2012 promises to be another great summer of music.

We all the know the usual culprits so this space will not indulge in Maroon 5, One Direction, Katy Perry, Carly Rae Jepson, Jason Mraz and whomever the flavor of the day is.  That's all good and you need no assistance finding the popular sound of today.  Simply exist...  you'll hear em.

A little off the beaten track there are some fabulous songs and artists who might pique your interest in those 5 minutes you get to yourself.  Angry Birds, Tosh.O and Big Breasts at Work will still be there in the morning...  or late evening.  Open your mind and feast on these little nuggets to get your summer going right!  Happy listening all!!

Walkmen "Heaven"  More surf- alt sounds from NYC based trio.  Good melody and toe tapping grooves wrapped tightly around big vocals.  Tambourines and heavy kick drum add nicely to this feel good # from the 7th record, also titled Heaven, released last week.

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros "Man on Fire"  Alex Ebert, the trippy leader of this oversized band, is the straw that stirs the drink here.  A modern day Elvis meets cult leader Jim Jones if you will.  But instead of killing you with Kool Aid, he does it with song.  This first single from their LP, Here, which landed last week, is pure pop magic.  Soft vocals with huge vibes.  I see it playing in the title sequence of the latest Bud Cort film.

Chappo "Come Home"  This is the obvious choice from the NY bands debut record.  But dig further in their impressive debut to find far better songs.  "5-0" and "What Are You Kids on?" are incredible tracks too!  Just download the record and listen start to finish.  Does anyone do that anymore?

Imagine Dragons "It's Time"  Cheesy and bubble gum sweet for sure.  But it wears your ass down for sure.  Sometimes you need a good old fashioned pop song.  Nothing fancy.  No frills.  You swear you heard it before performed by someone else, and much better.  But that was then...

Walk the Moon "Anna Sun"  Ohio's own playing Mercury Lounge in a few weeks.  They are out supporting their EP which was just released a few weeks back.  This is a band that will be headlining much bigger venues this time next year.  Mark it down!!  A can't miss single for the summer.  Try to NOT emulate the frantic dance this video displays.

Grimes "Oblivion"  Headed to Canada for this one.  Clair Boucher is Grimes.  Synths.  Synths.  And more synths.  And that pixie like Julee Cruise voice.  Unsure why I dig it so much.  But through trying to rationalize it.  You dig whatcha dig.  Hope you will too.  Video happens to be a hoot too.

Silversun Pickups "Bloody Mary (Nerve Endings)"  This is one of those bands you love or hate, I get that.  Lead singer has a fem, albeit distinct and very rich voice.  The beats and grooves are mostly alike and often times familiar.  I find it all very rewarding and a real joy to the ears.  This first single from their LP "Neck of The Woods" is another simple and effective cut.  Chick bassists happen to rock too don't ya know!!  Enjoy.

Dandy Warhols "Sad Vacation"  Moody Pacific Northwest folks are back with a new record, This Machine.  Glad to see they have the the same F-you attitude and chip on their shoulder!  Rock and roll.  No more, and certainly no less.  Sad vacation...  love the title

Ball Park Music "It's Nice to Be Alive"  Aussie kids on the scene with their debut album.  Saw a quote somewhere that I happened to like.  I'm paraphrasing...  "Rufus Wainwright called and said he wanted his song back."  Response:  "He should, it's a pretty good song."  Profane, goofy, but undeniably catchy stuff here.  And again, this space strongly endorses of the Buckingham/Nicks trend of male/female singer/songwriters.

Throwback:

Bruce Hornsby and The Range "Look Out Any Window."   A smile always comes to mind when I hear this 80s hit machine.  In fact, I feel like Hornsby does in many of his songs.  Simpler times.  Futures so bright.  The belief in your brother, your neighbor, your Country.  Hope.  And not just a slogan, or promise.  Actual hope!

"Well, that's just the way it is.  Some things will never change."

Have a great week all!!!

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