Monday, February 27, 2006
Been a bit busy with awards season, getting the kids ready for SXSW, and still finding time to see friend's bands in town. So we're sorry for not answering all the recent hatemail in a timely manner, but just know you can hate us all you want, we still love you. Except if your band name starts with 30 Seconds.
February ended with some gusto. Went to the Hotel Cafe for the Bloom, Stela, Runion, and DRW show. Can we just say now that Mike Bloom's solo stuff is better than anything The Elected has ever put out? If Sennett wants to fight about it, we can. But even he knows this. We like Annie Stela's recent demos, but her live shows are still so-so. Bloom joined her on guitar for her set, and it still lacked something, which we can't figure out. Runion was effing radd of course. Ditto to Dead Rock West who were showcasing for honchos. Too cool for school crowd that night including Jonathan Rice, Tobey Maguire, and all the boys and girl from Rilo Kiley. Long time, no see... Sarah Silverman at Largo was great. We know you're tired of our constant re-telling of the day we first met Silverman at the White Stripes Troubadour show way back when. We said she was hot then and she's still hot. Even with that potty mouth... The Mormons/Monolators/E>K>U>K> show was one of the best lineups of the month (when did E>K>U>K> get so damn good??). Dammit, what a great night. So good, we're taking bets right now that it will happen again. And soon. Seven member jangle pop outfit Land of Ill Earthquakes opened. Oh no, not another ensemble of high school band kids that strive for Social Scene and the Wall Looks Good To Me in Helsinki glory. Well, they're kids so we must give them a break. But raise your hand if you think one certain pair of hand claps isn't needed?... Thoroughly enjoyed our night with Mice Parade and Tom Brosseau. Wouldn't it be grand if Pierce and Co. played something more complicated? I mean, c'mon, challenge us for once. And the addition of Mum's Valtysdottir was a gift. Thank you, Brosseau, for introducing us. And thank you Brosseau for the songs you sing. The last time we heard the Echo that quiet was when Elliott Smith played there. Coincidentally, Brosseau ended the night with a cover of Smith's "Biggest Lie", bringing up the lovely Correatown for the duet. Also, props to Nesseth of The Heavenly States for opening the show without his band, who apparently had car troubles or something.
Land of Ill Earthquakes - "Long Winter" (MP3)
Land of Ill Earthquakes - "Acres of Fakers" (MP3)
