Shit yeah, Sleigh Bells

I mean,seriously, you had me at hello. Sleigh Bells have released their official first single from Reign of Terror, and holy crap - it.is.so.good.

Best of 2011

Oh christ, its almost time to compile my "Best of 2011" list. Since I am not ready to quite yet, how about you check out the following:

Merge Records favs.
Or Sterogum.
Pitchfork has a Top 10 list for just about EVERYTHING (including worst album covers, ha!)
My friend Michael Hall sent this list from Fluxblog over to me as well as Gorillavsbear.
Or you can vote for your favorites at NPR.
Despite missing Gonzo, Rolling Stone has a fairly solid list of albums and singles.
AV Club too!!

An I'll get back to you, I promise. MMMMMKAY?

The Golden Age

For W.B.


All I know is that
There were rumors he was into field hockey players
There were Rumours.

I guess they're more for Gold Dust Wom[e]n
they know how to pick up the pieces and go home
in time to see the Jigsaw Falling Into Place.

Oh, Stop Breaking Down -
Oh! You Pretty Thing!
Find The Book of Love and read it to me
I hear it's supposed to be long
and boring.

But I love it when you sing to me.
If You Want to Sing Out, sing out!
It's easy.
It's So Easy.
Please
          Please Me.

I know you're no good, Heartbreaker.
Dream maker, love taker.
You don't have to go away.
Baby Please Don't Go
(and I Feel Fine).

Well, tell your mom, "I'm stuck on this lovely girl".
And that Maybe I'm Amazed.
And that Possibly Maybe,
Probably maybe, I am Feeling Myself Disintegrate.
Because.
In The End,
the love you take is equal to the love you make.

Nurses and Dominant Legs

Every time I go to the Red Palace I am reminded why it is one of my favorite DC venues. It's a bitch to get to if you are carless (like yours truly), but so worth whatever effort you must make to get there. The beer is cheap, the selection is good, the bartenders are nice, and sometimes you get to see things like The Big Lebowski while hanging out between sets. 

And that's just the booze. 

In addition, the set up is perfect for either a low key night with a mild and unpacked house or a filled to the brim rager. The sound is high quality (not great, but usually very good), the stage is propped up high so you can see no matter where you stand (with the exception of tall people directly in front of you), and the bands they attract are always good, and sometimes great.  

Last night was no exception. While we sadly missed the opener Dinosaur Feathers, we got there just in time to settle in and watch Nurses set up. This little three-piece from Portland, OR is awesome. They have a blend of sound that rivals Animal Collective, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and maybe even a little Wolf Parade. Plus the lead singer looks like a Hipster version of Tim Roth.  

They played a nice full set, mostly complied of songs from their new record Dracula, which I didn't mind at all. They are great live, and seem to have a lot of potential to grow their sound into something truly new. I'm pretty judgy when it comes to bands that steal each others sound, but its getting harder and harder to sound like an original, and I have hope for these guys. They are really talented and catchy! The West Coast sound is starting to steal my jam sessions almost exclusively, with lead singer-drummers coming in a close second.

Dominant Legs was the headliner, though I must say I enjoyed Nurses more. DL originally began as a twosome, and has sense expanded into a foursome, which sadly still needs to grow some legs. Their sound is choppy, the drummer is too aggressive, and the new songs aren't all that new. Overall, I enjoyed watching them play (and my friend enjoyed the legs of the singer/keyboardist - dominant indeed), but I would have liked to close the night with Nurses. Maybe next time they will headline, I have a feeling it is in their future.

Things You Hear

I went to bed with this in my head.

And woke up with this in there instead.

Love is a Drug

This song makes me think of laying on my back in the grass with my eyes half closed to the afternoon sun on a warm August day. This in turn makes me think of the little park on the corner of Kimberly and Charlotte Street in Asheville, NC. 

Even though this memory is tainted with you and your stupid hair, it still makes me smile to think of it. 

Shelby Vs. the Greatest of All Time

Strangled by the Stereo Wire

1985

Fabricoh

Harnessed in Slums

Dead Red Eyes

Worst Defense

Greatest of All Time

Web in Front

(cannot remember the name of this fucking song)

Plumb Line

You & Me

Might

Smoking Pot in the Hot City

Scenic Pastures

Form and File

Web in Front

Wrong

Nostalgia

Audiowhore

Lowest Part is Free

Freezing Point

Revenge

All Hail the Black Market