Morrissey 7 inch

This is reportedly the album insert for Morrissey's single I'm throwing My arms around Paris. Damn, brother is looking good but I think I would have used a full sized album, needed or not.

Keep It Hid - Dan Auerbach

I recently spent some time with Dan Auerbach's new album Keep It Hid. The first thing you notice is that this is not a big departure from what the Black Keys have been doing. It has a decidedly more laid back feel to it and while it isn't an acoustic album it has that vibe to it. Stand out for me are Whispered Words(written by his father), When the night comes and My last mistake. The first two are a couple of the most quiet songs on the album and My Last Mistake is a small rave up with a M. Ward old time sound to it. This is a truely wonderful intimate album that shouldn't be missed.

Animal Collective @ Le Bataclan

Gretchen and I caught Animal Collective on friday, our first concert in France.
Great show, not a lot of movement among the three band members but amazingly exciting none the less. I only commented once on how Sam Beam makes these guys look like old men(In reference to Gretchen's disparaging remarks at the Mars Volta show last year). I will say that it appeared that Panda Bear was participating in and probably winning an ugly sweater contest and the striped shirt dude either had a horrible haircut or had worn a hat for a week and taken it off right before coming on stage. I appoligize for talking about the band members but when you stand still for a couple of hours people are gonna notice these things. I think my point that headlamps are cool was reitterated by the dude with the beard.
Le Bataclan is a pretty cool venue, it reminded me of Metropolis in Montreal. It appears to be a converted theatre and had the biggest disco ball i've ever seen. The acoustics were really good from the two spots we listened from. The only venue problems was the single bar and the coat check staffed by one guy where we waited for an hour after the show.
Animal Collective opened the show with the album opener from Merriweather Post Pavilion, In the Flowers. They played all my favorites from the new album, My Girls(the closer), Bluish and Lion in a Coma. Gretchen was a little disappointed that they didn't play Peacebone but from all the dancing and hand clapping she was doing you wouldn't know it. The electronic heavy sound translated really well to a live setting, i didn't envy the roadies that have to plug in all the keyboards, pedals, effect and whatnot, they must have had a couple hundred miles of cable. The live situation was pretty interesting, a couple of times i thought that they reached a space that would really connect with jam band fans, it was pretty cool to hear them stretch out some of the songs.
High Life opened the show. High life was one American dude who sounded great. Do you remember that David Gray album a few yeas ago with that popular song? That album got a bit of attention because Gray used a tiny bit of elecronics. Imagie id Gray had really embraced electric drums and loops to the fullest, that woul be High Life. His voice sounded exactly like David Gray(That's a good thing) and his guitar playing was backed by some laptop wizardry that sounded really good.

By its cover

Judging from its cover the new Nico Case will be face meltingly kick ass.

Please do not let me go

Is Ryan Adams dropping out of music? His latest and last post on the Cardinals site seems to be his warning shot that this is indeed the end. We've heard crazy stuff from RA before but this sounds serious. I'm guessing he may be off the grid for a year or two but like Jordan he won't be able to stay away, someone with a gift like that can't give it up completely, can they? He has recently talked about cooling out and doing a couple of quiet solo records so maybe this is the first step towards something like that, a recharging of the spiritual battery. I keep telling myself not to freak out, besides if this is the end look at the body of work he's left behind, amazing. Does this mean that the box set will finally come out?

Je suis Morrissey

I listened to the new Morrissey album once yesterday and twice today and I'm here to tell you that it is awesome. This is purebred late era Morrissey. The album kicks off with the words "I'm doing very well", i mean come on, how perfect is that? It seems like he's gotten better and better over the last two or three albums after a little slump. There are some gems on this album, i don't want to get overly excited and list every song on the album but standouts include; Something is Squeezing My Skull, I'm throwing my arms around Paris (I had to like that one right?), That's how people grow up, Sorry doesn't help. There are some great driving tracks on this album,some catchy tunes and the lyrics are right on and best of all it sounds just like Morrissey. Morrissey proves that he can sing the phone book and make it sound heartbreaking and profound, In Something is Squeezing My Skull he sings a list of drug names. I haven't even touched on how gleefully disturbing the album art is, i think i might have to buy this on vinyl and frame the sleeve.
This man's live show is not to be missed!
4/12/09 Bass Concert Hall Austin, Texas
6/2/09 Grand Rex Paris, France

Slipping

It has been a long time since I posted any boobs, thanks Joe. I think I feel a new resolution coming on.

Bike stuff

I've been dying to get on a bike since getting to Paris but with bikes being expensive, me being poor and not knowing where in the world i would put one I haven't gotten one yet. One of my resolutions is to make use of the Velib bikes this year. I keep telling myself that spring is right around the corner and bike season will soon be upon us.
The above bike was built specifically for Mike Giant by 4130. Looks like the perfect city bike. Giant designed a pretty cool shirt for 4130 that you can buy from their site here.
Bad ass Freeman Transport, who got a mention from Mr. Staple the other day, has a really cool write up over at HighSnobiety give the interview a read, it really makes you think about what quality means and what it's worth. It's strange that Gretchen and I were having a similar conversation brought on by the Soldes that start today in Paris. Boiled down does the fact that something is cheap make it a good deal or is it better to spend more on a few choice items? Our total lack of space makes every purchase highly analysed around here.

New Animal Collective

After much nagging by my lovely wife i listened to the new Animal Collective disc Merriweather Post Pavilion today. Gretchen kept telling me that it was different enough from previous releases that i would like it. She was right. I'll come right out and admit that i haven't liked any of the other Animal Collective releases and lord knows i've wanted to. Everyone knows you can't be anywhere near hip wihout loving Animal Collective so i've listened through each album wanting to like them.
I haven't put this on my best of '09 list yet but after a listen ad a half i can tell that this album is going to grow on me. I'm not saying i don't already like it, especially My Girls and Bluish, but even after half a second listen i've noticed some cool stuff i didn't notice the first time through. That having been said this wil probably be "in the mood" music, something that i have to want to listen to at the moment. Some things i hear and i'm imeddiatly in the mood to hear them, they put me in the mood, other things i won't listen to unless i'm "in the mood". Riding alone on the metro sitting in that perfect spot(the strapontain by itself away from the door that opens) on a snowy Paris morning seems to put me in the perfect mood for the new Animal Collective.

G's list

Gretchen, big time Jackson Pollack fan(she went to his new exhibition on Christmas day), law nerd and lady about town, has posted her best albums list. Check it out on her blog here, she also breaks down the differences in French law and American law in terms a layperson can almost understand. She is one wicked smart chick.

Stuff going on

Fecal Face has a cool interview with Mike Giant.
I love when he breaks down living within the EU. Maybe the coolest thing is that he reveled that he will be showing new works at his show here in Paris.
Andrea updated her website with her albums of the year list. Check it yo.