Best of 2012, Part 2 (Notable Bands, Albums and Live Acts)

Sometimes a song tells only part of the story.  For instance, Alabama Shakes had a huge song this year with their  breakout  "Hold On".  It is a terrific song on a solid debut record.  The story goes beyond that.  Last year at this time Alabama Shakes was, in reality, unknown.  Within a year they are now Grammy nominated stars selling out concerts in minutes.  Will they have staying power?  How do you follow the success up when you start so high?  Every generation has its One-Hit Wonders.  Who is 2012's?

With that in mind here is some new talent that appear to have potential for more.  Apologies to Gary Clark Jr and Imagine Dragons, Passion Pit to name a few.  There is only so much time in a day and I failed to see those acts live or give their records an intent listen.  Some respected peers have said good things if it means anything.

Grouplove:  "Tongue Tied" blew up this summer and with good reason.  It is pure, pop magic.  It's that one of a kind song that brings us all together.  Never mind they used it to sell Apple products.  This group of hippies have the classic back story too.  They met at an artist colony in Greece.  Hannah Hooper wasn't even a musician.  She paints (see the groups cover art.)  The boys thought she might be able to sing.  Good call.  In March they opened for Young the Giant at Terminal 5 and destroyed it.  The headliners paled in comparison.  A few months later they sold the place out with top billing.  the band has such a positive energy you can't help root for them.  And expect bigger things!

Gotye:  Psy's "Gangham Style" notwithstanding, this lanky Aussie had the song, and video, of the year (and decade so far.)  Many parodied, often covered, Gotye lays out the blue print for a break up song.  You listening Taylor Swift?  March was a good month in the otherwise mundane life of Terminal 5.  Gotye and his band of merry makers showed precision and care in their flawless show there.  With other gems like "Easy Way Out" and "Eyes Wide Open", Gotye is anything but a flash in the pan.  He's so darn likable too!

Naked and The Famous:  Until recently New Zealand's finest musical export was the comedy duo The Flight of The Conchords.  Granted, this duo's debut is a few years old.  However 2012 saw them find mainstream success headlining larger venues and fine tuning their live act.  This was one of the more refreshing and exciting live shows I was witness to this year.  Sometimes going to an event with no expectations and/or limited knowledge can be a real treat.  Naked and The Famous "Girls Like You", "Young Blood" and "The Sun" are but a few highlights from their debut record.  They are recording the sophomore effort another World away.

M83:  Frenchman Anthony Gonzalez has been performing and recording under the name M83 for over a decade.  His tremendous LP Hurry Up, We're Dreaming is, like Naked and The Famous, hardly new by alternative standards.  But the album kept building steam and I was fortunate enough to catch them/him live this year too.  It was an absolute blast.  Like Gotye, Gonzalez has an eye (and more importantly an ear) for detail.  You have heard several of his tracks in commercials, tv shows, and films.  Here them in their entirety here:  "Midnight City"  "Steve McQueen"  and "Intro"


Walk the Moon:  Oh the power of a hook, and a charismatic lead singer sure helps too.  "Anna Sun" propelled these Ohio rockers into the mainstream from obscurity.  Their self titled album proves they are capable of more than one hit.  Anyone else think they were the Foster the People of 2012?  OK, maybe not that big, but quite similar.  For instance:  "Jenny" or "Next In Line"

Chappo:  They played Mercury Lounge the other night in what was to date their biggest show (supporting their debut record Moonwater.)  They played a show in Brooklyn that defied explanation during the summer and a riveting record release party last winter.  The songs are as fresh and original as the band odd and irreverent.  Unsure what kind of future, if any, they might have.  But you could do a lot worse getting on board with them.  "Come Home"  "Hell No"


Grimes:  It is fashionable to put Clare Boucher, stage name Grimes, on a best of list.  Her album, Visions, is on plenty of them.  Her October NYC shows were all packed with young hipsters dying to dance, do drugs, and let loose.  It is part dance, part theatre, and a whole bunch of fun.  Open your mind and imagination because this is not for everyone.  After all I only managed about 5 songs at the show I saw.  It's ok to dig it from afar though.  No one is watching you, trust me.  "Oblivion" and "Vanessa"

Jack White:  Thanks to the wonderful people at Webster Hall (you know who you are) I was able to see Mr White in this intimate setting.  There are few working musicians today who can blend so many genres seamlessly.  Fewer still who can play guitar like White.  He played a set with an all girl band and then an all guy band.  2 + hours of rock and roll fantasy.  Here is the video, directed by Gary Oldman: Jack White @ Webster Hall, AMEX Unstaged

Brandi Carlile:  This little firecracker can flat out perform.  Her voice is angelic and powerful.  Her personality is infectious and endearing.  And her songs, a rich tapestry of love, life and everything in between, are well written and beyond worthy.  Unsure why she doesn't have the success say, Melissa Etheridge had many years ago.  But this much is certain, she should.  "Raise Hell" live from Craig Ferguson and "The Story" from Austin 2010.  For the record, if "The Story" does not send chills up your spine please check your pulse.

White Rabbits:  Another in a long line of Brooklyn bands that is on the precipice.  There records are good, if not a touch inconsistent.  There live shows however are quite entertaining.  It is a free-wheeling percussion show with a touch of piano and guitar.  Oh, the vocals are solid too.  Just a hard working rock band more than capable of putting together solid music.  "Heavy Metal" or "Percussion Gun"

Enjoy, debate, share and provide feedback.   Part 2 of Best of 2012 can be subscribed to via Spotify here:  2012 Best of Part 2


Concert reviews and/or more detailed info for each act can be found here:

Grouplove
Gotye
Naked and The Famous
M83
Walk the Moon
Chappo
Grimes
Jack White
Brandi Carlile
White Rabbits

Williamsburg on the Cheap... starring White Rabbits and We Barbarians

Folks here in Jersey think of Brooklyn as some sort of other-Worldly hipster planet.  They know Peter Luger's and Coney Island.  They know little else.  Watching Do the Right Thing does not count.

The Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, for instance, is super cool.  Shops and restaurants line Bedford St and 4th, 5th, 6th making for a hipper, mellower SoHo or West Village.  Pierced and disheveled kids walk hand in hand with mandel (or girly man sandals) wearing Euro's and their elegant eyewear donning beards, er "girlfriends."

Once abandoned warehouses and factories have been converted into chic clubs, American Apparel stores and record shops (yes, plural shops!!  rare and great!!)  New Hope, PA meets Christopher St.  Spring St meets Columbus, OH.  Oh, and the NYC skyline can be enjoyed on the abundant East River vistas mere footsteps away.

And perhaps the best kept secret of Williamsburg (at least for those willfully out of the game) is Bowery Presents wonderful music venue, un-ironically called Music Hall of Williamsburg.  Last night, Converse Rubber Tracks, the sneaker company's community-based music arm, put on a free showcase spotlighting two of Brooklyn's finest acts: We Barbarians and White Rabbits.

We Barbarians, Music Hall of Williamsburg 6.20.12

We Barbarians, a power trio made up of David Quon(vocals/guitar), Derek VanHeule (bass) and Nathan Warkentin(drums), began the night with a high-energy, hard-rocking set.  Quon is an absolute natural.  Not only does he play a mean guitar, but his voice and charisma are electric.  But you cannot simply thank the leading man.  Warkentin has the look of an angry woodsman as he relentlessly assaults his kit.  He is precise, but has enough tact to be jazzy when needed.  VanHeule has the chops to play lead, but also knows when to keep beat and stay efficiently in the background.

This is a rock and roll trio.  Go buy what they are selling.  Then do yourself a favor and check them out live.  They are an entirely different act studio to stage.  To date they have recorded a few EP's and one LP, 2009's There's This There's That.  A new record is forthcoming and the material is strong.  We came for the White Rabbits, but are now Barbarian devotees.

References:  "Headspace" official video.  The bass line for this track is downright filty. It also reminds me of the Vision Quest soundtrack.  Can't you just see Loudon Swain training to this???  Is it "Lunatic Fringe" worthy?   Or "Chambray" official video.  Tribal beats= Awesome.

There have been plenty of superlatives written about the grossly underrated and amazingly under-heard 6 piece rock act White Rabbits.  In fact this space has devoted two columns to them:  Webster Hall review from 4.13.12 and Bowery review from 2.11.

Last night, again supporting their 3rd LP Milk Famous, they breathed new life into their catalog and reminded all those in attendance why they are a formidable live act.

The new material, such as the groovy and hard charging "Danny Come Inside" and the trippy "It's Not Me," marry nicely with their more popular tunes, namely "Percussion Gun," 'The Plot," and last night's finale "Kid On My Shoulders."  "Kid" has been rearranged and outright re-imagined with a bass-heavy, disco feel.  The result is fresh and inspired.

It can be said with certainty that luck and timing have as much to do with a bands success as raw talent these days (like all the days before.)  For every Maroon 5 or Train (both great bands who have enjoyed longetivity and commercial success) there is a White Rabbits or We Barbarians.

Both acts last night packed a wallop and went about their business as professionals without the slightest hint of pretense.  White Rabbits are very much the workingman's rock outfit.  Thing Bruce Hornsby and the Range on steroids.  Each musician complements one another and each component stands out.  It is a team.  And the team is winning.

Yet America, for the most part, is not in on the secret.

You heard it here...  these guys need to be bigger.  You can help.  Get the hell on board.

After all Adam Levine and Pay Monahan are pretty set up.  They can afford to share the wealth.

White Rabbits, Music Hall of Williamsburg 6.30.12

For more knowledge please head here:

White Rabbits from Jimmy Kimmel perform "Danny Come Inside"  An absolutely epic track.  Big, bold bass and haunting guitars.  The kind of stuff David Lynch might use on his soundtrack.  The real standout from their latest LP Milk Famous.

"Percussion Gun"  Their breakthrough hit from 2009's It's Frightening.   Like the title says, this track is all about the drums.  If they are too have a signature song you can't do much better.

Live "Kid on My Shoulders"  They have the ability to use piano as lead...  or drums...  or guitar...  or bass.  So versatile!!  Here the piano and bass shine and shine brightly.  You can tell they love performing this song.  This version differs greatly from what was played last night.  Both are exceptional.  Just like the band.


POST SCRIPT:  


Free show. Check.  Free on street parking.  Check.  45 minutes from venue to home post show.  Check.

There have been 45 minutes delays at the Holland after a Webster Hall or Bowery show!!  Brooklyn is a viable player for those in and around Manhattan.  Believe it!!

The crowd was super respectful and well mannered too...  which is huge.  No talking during songs.  No back and forth for drinks or bathroom breaks.  It's a one hour set and the crowd was engaged.  The music was the star and they were more than aware.  Oh, and bravo to both bands for limiting the between song banter.  They were both humble, gracious and off the charts polite.  Then they knocked everyone off their feet with kick ass rock and roll.

And as noted earlier the Music Hall is an exceptional place to catch a show.  3 floors with ample lounge space and above average service/polite staff.  If you can do Lower Manhattan you can do Brooklyn.  Check out their coming attractions and make a day of it!!  Viva La Hipsters!!

http://www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com/






 

Some Diversions

Monday from hell...  when aren't they??...  and 5 minutes of solace before homework...  dinner...  accounts payable (is there such a thing as receivable???)

Music?  Are you out there??  Take me away...

The Band "Don't Do it"  A good friend mentioned how the passing of Levon Helm was one that "cut a little deeper than most."  Nothing more to add in this space.  RIP Mr Helm.  You are already missed.

Snow Patrol "This Isn't Everything You Are"  They fact that Gary Lightbody wrote the lyric "Don't keel over" is one thing.  That he gets away with it, with such flair and conviction, is another thing entirely.  Hard to call them underrated since they have enjoyed a long and successful career.  But what a talented band they are.

Silversun Pickups "Bloody Mary"  This track, from their forthcoming LP, has a Snow Patrol intro feel.  Once Brian Aubert's vocals enter the song has a left coast Silversun feel to it.  Sure they are Smashing Pumpkins lite, but there are worse acts to emulate.  Looking forward to hearing the rest of it.

First Aid Kit "The Lion's Roar"  Hard to fathom these Swedish sisters are so polished.  They have the proper admiration for the past and a clear vision of the future.  Their debut record is worth listening to and some tracks, like this one, are plain fabulous.

Beirut "Santa Fe"  This song has appeared here previously.  But it continues to resonate.  It continues to play in my head.  Then it disappears for a while.  Then my daughter plays it on Spotify, or views the hysterical and clever video, and again it is unescapable.  Loving a lead singer/trumpet player.  Central Park for them later this summer and I can't see how I miss it.

White Rabbits "Danny Come Inside"  Live cut from Fordham's venerable WFUV.  Good old fashioned rock and roll right here from NYC.  Another track that has entered the bloodstream...  and did not know of it until I heard it live.

Naked and the Famous "Girls Like You"  Digging the trend of female/male singers all over the charts these days.  This band, Givers, Grouplove, Lady Antebellum, what, you don't like "Need You Now" and sing at the top of your lungs in the shower?  Just me??  "It's a quarter after 1/I'm a little lonely..."
Whatever, this track got some legs in the promo spot for the promising HBO show "Girls."  Great tempo and melody.  Clean and efficient fun.  And let's be honest, we can all relate to the lyric "Don't you know people write songs/About Girls like you!!"

Chappo "Come Home"  Along the lines of Naked and The Famous...  dance pop/synth/goofiness.  New surf or something along that line.  Or, it's got a good beat and you can dance to it.  You, not me.

Santigold "Disparate Youth"  Philly is blowing up the past few years.  Dr Dog, War on Drugs and Santogold to name a few.  And this will be our ode to Dick Clark (who started Bandstand in the City of Brotherly Love.)  RIP Mr Clark.  You were called the World's oldest teenager right?  Let's all remember our youth...  and hopefully remember it fondly.

The Band "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down"