This question popped to mind about an hour ago after I listened to the band Rogue Wave's latest single from their forthcoming record, scheduled for release on March 2. Not that they are my favorite band, but I am a pretty big supporter of their last two albums Descended Like Vultures and Asleep At Heaven's Gate, and am considering a ticket purchase for their upcoming show at 9:30 club in March. This west coast based indie-rock group appeared as an opener for Guster at Wolf Trap in 2006, and we hope they jump on another package at some point in the near future.
The aforementioned single, titled "Good Morning (The Future)" is a massive departure from the lo-fi, fuzzy guitar-heavy rock that seems to channel the complexity of Radiohead combined with the anthemic riffs and thunderous drums of U2. The drum sequence seems to have been derived from a series of loops, Zach Schwartz's voice is surprisingly enhanced (he sings beautifully under normal circumstances), the melody is very clubby, and the lyrics are pedestrian. I think I may intensely dislike it, and this is a band that I normally love listening to.
What is your reaction when bands you really love decide to completely shake things up for the worse? Do you stick with them and wear the album out till you find some sort of intrinsic value? Or do you drop them like a bad habit?
Keep in mind that my opinion is completely subjective and only based on this one song...maybe I'll love the rest of the album when it drops...
Friday, January 22, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Holy Coachella!
So....this made its way across the web today, sparking controversy, elation, and on the other side of the coin, frustration, about the state of modern day music. It's the 2010 3-day Coachella lineup, and in my mind, it is virtually untouched with regards to quality, quantity, and most importantly, diversity. The programming team has paired what I consider to be some of the most relevant up and comers with a healthy dose of arena rockers, rounded out by a very impressive list of classic bands and solo artists that have recently re-entered the spotlight.
To help illustrate my point...on day 1, you can see Deer Tick, Them Crooked Vultures, and Jay-Z, on day 2, White Rabbits, Devo, and Muse, and on day 3, Miike Snow, Pavement (!), and Thom Yorke.
These acts may not be your cup of tea, but I'm confident that there is indeed something for every music fan at this year's Coachella incarnation.
To help illustrate my point...on day 1, you can see Deer Tick, Them Crooked Vultures, and Jay-Z, on day 2, White Rabbits, Devo, and Muse, and on day 3, Miike Snow, Pavement (!), and Thom Yorke.
These acts may not be your cup of tea, but I'm confident that there is indeed something for every music fan at this year's Coachella incarnation.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Music Trends for 2010 and beyond
Whilst contemplating the future of music and reflecting on the amount of controversy that has plagued the industry over the past few years, I decided to check in with Matt Rosoff's Digital Noise blog on CNET.com, and was pleased to find a very lengthy and comprehensive article on his projected music trends for the forthcoming decade.
He's quite the prognosticator, and I'm not sure if most of these will catch on in the next 10 years, particularly the eradication of downloading in favor of streaming, and I really can't imagine full albums becoming obsolete in favor of the release of individual songs....artists just aren't ready for that...at least the ones I prefer to spend my time listening to.
I'm also pretty intrigued by this statement, as I think it bears some serious relevance for music venues such as Wolf Trap that are faced with the task of booking entire summers worth of live performance.
"Live music is already a long-tail world--with the exception of old, established acts and the very occasional pop sensation, very few bands can fill large arenas or football stadiums. This trend will accelerate as the last bands from the golden age of radio retire, labels take even fewer big promotional risks, and the market continues to fragment under the explosion in recording releases."
Some of the highest grossing artists on tour are those that Rosoff refers to as "bands from the golden age of radio," and as they move closer to retirement, it'll be a completely different ballgame for booking agents. It's both an exciting and tumultuous time, no doubt.
He's quite the prognosticator, and I'm not sure if most of these will catch on in the next 10 years, particularly the eradication of downloading in favor of streaming, and I really can't imagine full albums becoming obsolete in favor of the release of individual songs....artists just aren't ready for that...at least the ones I prefer to spend my time listening to.
I'm also pretty intrigued by this statement, as I think it bears some serious relevance for music venues such as Wolf Trap that are faced with the task of booking entire summers worth of live performance.
"Live music is already a long-tail world--with the exception of old, established acts and the very occasional pop sensation, very few bands can fill large arenas or football stadiums. This trend will accelerate as the last bands from the golden age of radio retire, labels take even fewer big promotional risks, and the market continues to fragment under the explosion in recording releases."
Some of the highest grossing artists on tour are those that Rosoff refers to as "bands from the golden age of radio," and as they move closer to retirement, it'll be a completely different ballgame for booking agents. It's both an exciting and tumultuous time, no doubt.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Put These Shows on Your Calendar for Early 2010
My apologies for my two week hiatus from the blogosphere, but I'm back and ready for a musically rich 2010. I returned to find a slew of amazing shows coming to the Baltimore and D.C. areas in February and March, and wanted to put them on your radar before tickets become an overpriced commodity on craigslist.
Delta Spirit - Wednesday February 3 AND 10th at DC9
See my post from December 18.
The Bad Plus - Wednesday, February 10 at The Barns at Wolf Trap
The experimental jazz trio's album These are the Vistas was touted by NPR's All Songs Considered as one of the most influential records of the decade. This fusion group is best known for their proggy covers of popular tunes by Nirvana, Heart, Wilco, and Pink Floyd. Really unique music...I promise this show will stick in your mind as one of the most memorable of the year.
Dawes - Tuesday, February 23 at IOTA
Just recently discovered this North Hills, California Americana band in the past few weeks, and they completely melt me every time I listen. It's a gorgeous blend of early My Morning Jacket meets Bon Iver. Key track is "Bedside Manner" to get you started on the right foot with these guys.
David Gray - Wednesday, March 31 at Lyric Opera House
He's back with a new full length of emotive ballads, worthy of comparison to White Ladder, one of which is duet with the fiery Scot Annie Lennox. Similar to Radiohead, Gray doesn't cross the pond too often, so don't miss your chance.
Wilco - Tuesday, March 30 at Strathmore
Not since last July at Wolf Trap have Wilco performed in the metro area, and this will be their debut performance at the acoustically perfect, home to the BSO Strathmore. Of course, I'm still completely in love with this band and don't think there is an American rock band that compares, but I'm hoping they mix their set up a bit more than they did throughout 2009. I could do without the 15th consecutive offering of "Hate it Here" and "I'm the Man Who Loves You".
Delta Spirit - Wednesday February 3 AND 10th at DC9
See my post from December 18.
The Bad Plus - Wednesday, February 10 at The Barns at Wolf Trap
The experimental jazz trio's album These are the Vistas was touted by NPR's All Songs Considered as one of the most influential records of the decade. This fusion group is best known for their proggy covers of popular tunes by Nirvana, Heart, Wilco, and Pink Floyd. Really unique music...I promise this show will stick in your mind as one of the most memorable of the year.
Dawes - Tuesday, February 23 at IOTA
Just recently discovered this North Hills, California Americana band in the past few weeks, and they completely melt me every time I listen. It's a gorgeous blend of early My Morning Jacket meets Bon Iver. Key track is "Bedside Manner" to get you started on the right foot with these guys.
David Gray - Wednesday, March 31 at Lyric Opera House
He's back with a new full length of emotive ballads, worthy of comparison to White Ladder, one of which is duet with the fiery Scot Annie Lennox. Similar to Radiohead, Gray doesn't cross the pond too often, so don't miss your chance.
Wilco - Tuesday, March 30 at Strathmore
Not since last July at Wolf Trap have Wilco performed in the metro area, and this will be their debut performance at the acoustically perfect, home to the BSO Strathmore. Of course, I'm still completely in love with this band and don't think there is an American rock band that compares, but I'm hoping they mix their set up a bit more than they did throughout 2009. I could do without the 15th consecutive offering of "Hate it Here" and "I'm the Man Who Loves You".
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