Music on TV - Week of 09.10.12: David Byrne & St. Vincent

St. Vincent and David Byrne perform on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

Three years in the making, the long awaited collaboration between David Byrne and Annie Clark of St. Vincent finally sees the light of day this week. Love This Giant sees Byrne most energized, and there are lots and lots of horns, which are a highlight even as they come at the cost of Clark's exquisite guitar work, which gets drowned out in the brassness of the proceedings.

Elsewhere, Saturday Night Live returns for its 38th season, and even though it will be without stars Kristin Wiig and Andy Samberg, there's still a lot of excitement for the season premiere this Saturday. At least some of that has to do with Frank Ocean as the musical guest.

Other required viewings: The Avett Brothers on Kimmel (Monday), Grizzly Bear on Fallon (Friday).

Picks for the week
Monday, September 10
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: The Avett Brothers
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Dwight Yoakam (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: David Byrne & St. Vincent
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Ting Tings (REPEAT)
SYNDICATION: Katie: Sheryl Crow
TBS: Conan: The Head and the Heart
Tuesday, September 11
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Rita Ora
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Jeff the Brotherhood (REPEAT)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Emil Sande (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Cat Power
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Thee Oh Sees (REPEAT)
Wednesday, September 12
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Hacienda (REPEAT)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Regina Spektor (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Florence & the Machine
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Wallpaper (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: The Hives
Thursday, September 13
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Norah Jones (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Father John Misty (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: The Walkmen
Friday, September 14
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Grace Potter (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Grizzly Bear
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Dr. Dog (REPEAT)
Saturday, September 15
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Frank Ocean
PBS: Austin City Limits: Wilco (REPEAT)
Sunday, September 16
AXS: AXS Concert Series: Dashboard Confessional / Fall Out Boy

Music on TV - Week of 08.13.12: Flaming Lips, Grizzly Bear

Stephen Colbert introduces The Flaming Lips on the US Intrepid. 

Now that the Olympics are over, it's nearly back to business for the talk shows and The Colbert Report leads the way this week with Stephest Colbchella 012, featuring culled together pre-recorded performances from aboard the US Intrepid. Bands performing include Grizzly Bear (Tuesday), Santigold (Wednesday), fun. (Monday) and, aircraft carrier headliners The Flaming Lips (Thursday).

Elsewhere, check out lost late 60s folkie Rodriguez, who's the subject of the well received documentary, Looking for Sugarman. He makes his network television debut on Letterman Tuesday.

Picks for the week
Monday, August 13
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Alabama Shakes
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Glen Hansard
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: fun.
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Norah Jones
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Needtobreathe
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Trentemoller (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Grace Potter and the Nocturnals (REPEAT)
Tuesday, July 24
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Good Old War
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Rodriguez
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: Grizzly Bear
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Melvins (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Eric Hutchinson (REPEAT)
Wednesday, July 25
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: JJAMZ
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: Santigold
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Rick Ross
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Dwight Yoakam
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: T.I.
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: fun. (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Kids These Days (REPEAT)
Thursday, July 26
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: The Fixx
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Ben Howard
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: The Flaming Lips
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Regina Spektor
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Neon Hitch
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Portugal. The Man (REPEAT)
Friday, July 27
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Allen Stone (REPEAT)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: The Offspring
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: 2 Chainz
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Lee Fields and the Expressions (REPEAT)
Saturday, July 28
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Florence & the Machine
PBS: Austin City Limits: Allen Toussaint (REPEAT)
Sunday, July 29
HDNET: AXS Concert Series: Jimmy Cliff (REPEAT)

Stick a P'Fork in 2009: Top 100 Singles

One of my favorite items of the year is PFork's singles list, because it's so loooooong -- and I like 'em long, yo (scroll down for playlist).

Topping the list is Animal Collective's "My Girls," a song that nearly could've made last year's list -- having leaked over a year ago. Other songs we knew were locks for the top 10 (and albums likely as well) are Dirty Projector's "Stillness is the Move" (#2), two from Phoenix ("1901" at #3, "Lisztomania" at #8), Grizzly Bear's "Two Weeks" (#5) and Girls' "Lust for Life" (#9). It was a good year for music -- probably the best since 2003 -- and it shows.

Playlist: Pitchfork's Top 100 Singles of 2009

Ear on TV: Week of 06.22.09 - The BPA with Iggy Pop

It's an embarrassment of riches this week as far as musical guests on the talkies, with Sonic Youth, Phoenix, Dinosaur Jr., Grizzly Bear, Wilco, Regina Spektor, St. Vincent and Brighton Port Authority & Iggy Pop appearing -- just to name a few.

The B.P.A., which is Norman Cook (aka Fatboy Slim) working with musicians like David Byrne and Dizee Rascal, is making a big push this week, hitting both Letterman (Monday) and Fallon (Tuesday) to perform the song "He's Frank" with Iggy Pop. It's a cover song (of The Monochrome Set) that some may remembered first premiered in a Heroes episode back in November of 2007, and later appeared on the Heroes Original Soundtrack.

Nineties slacker sludge purveyors Dinosaur Jr. remain together, three years now since the original lineup of J. Mascis, Lou Barlow and Murph gave us alt-warm fuzzies with their reunion. When they play Fallon on Thursday night, they'll be promoting the newly released Farm, which marks the second great album in a row since their reunion, proving the reunion isn't a fluke. Where's your Pixies now?

Meanwhile, Wilco has their seventh proper full length (self-titled - Wilco) coming out next week, but have a bigger challeng in trying to tame the new Tonight Show stage with their sound problems. Conan is still enjoying a honeymoon period, but rest assured, if the sound isn't fixed, don't be surprised if bands start to hit Letterman and Fallon instead first to guarantee a certain quality of sound.

And finally, The Roots may be the house band for Fallon, but don't be confused by their inclusion in the calendar here on Thursday night, as they're scheduled to be the musical guest as well. They have a new album, How I Got Over, and are responsible for booking the musical guests, so why wouldn't they book themselves?

More: I've recently profiled Sonic Youth (Monday on Fallon,) Phoenix (Friday on Kimmel) and Grizzly Bear (Friday on Fallon) but we also need to give some love to the doe-eyed indie queens St. Vincent and Regina Spektor, who appear on Letterman Wednesday and Friday, respectively. Just about any other week, I'd have them in the lede (just to get them purty eyes in the photo).

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, June 22
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Iggy Pop & The Brighton Port Authority
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Juan Maclean
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Pete Yorn
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Sonic Youth, The Roots
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Black Kids (REPEAT)
Tuesday, June 23
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: MSTRKRFT w/ John Legend
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Presets
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Elvis Costello
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Iggy Pop & The Brighton Port Authority, The Roots
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Crocodiles
Wednesday, June 24
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: St. Vincent
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Bettye LaVette
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Duane Peters Gunfight
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Wilco
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Roots
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Ida Maria
Thursday, June 25
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Dinosaur Jr., The Roots
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Bat for Lashes
Friday, June 26
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Phoenix
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Regina Spektor
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Chairlift
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Adele
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Grizzly Bear, The Roots
SUNDANCE: The Life and Hard Times of Guy Terrifico (2005): Kris Kristofferson, Levon Helm, Merle Haggard, Ronnie Hawkins
Saturday, June 27
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Kings of Leon (REPEAT)
PBS: Austin City Limits: Crowded House (REPEAT)

Now Downloading: New Releases 05.26.09

For a holiday-shortened week, there's no lack of quality in the releases department. This week, in fact, features my two most listened to albums from the past two months, in Grizzly Bear's Veckatimest and Phoenix's Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. But it doesn't stop there, as new releases from Viva Voce, A Hawk and a Hacksaw, Black Moth Super Rainbow, Jenny Owen Young, Sunn 0))), The Bats and some kick ass soul from Naomi Shelton.

Playlist: New Releases 05.26.09

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Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

First thing's first: Go and delete any crappy leak you may (or may not have) "aquired" and obtain the real thing, as this is one album that requires full fidelity in order to appreciate it's majesty. Veckatimest follows through on what 2006's stellar Yellow House merely promised. A nearly perfect album from start to finish, with it's only flaw being it's perfection, an envious paradox to have, for sure. Named after a tiny island near Martha's Vineyard (the band recorded the album in Cape Cod,) Veckatimest is teeming with precision and bursting with moments of harmonizing glory, as if alternating between lakeside surgery and wondrous visitations from the Lord (the album was finished in a church in NY). From the start, the band dares us to follow them through on the journey ("You’ll never find me now" - "Southern Point,") but follow we must, bouncing through their most accessible song yet ("Two Weeks,") and joined in by disembodied choirs ("Cheerleader,") they lead us to some dizzying heights. If we were looking for someone to challenge Animal Collective's Merriweather Post Pavilion for album of the year, I think we have our challenger (and eventual winner). Other recommended tracks, "Ready, Able" and... heck, who am I kidding, the whole shebang. Pick it up, NOW.

Free AOL Album Stream

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Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, like GB's Veckatimest is a giant leap forward for the band, combining the promise of their debut (2000's United,) with the uneven brilliance of their third album (2006's It's Never Been Like That,) into an effortless pop gem. If many of the songs seem to be cut from the same cloth as their 2006 hit "Long Distance Call," it can be forgiven, as that song is the perfect blueprint for the band. "Lisztomania," "1901," "Lasso," and "Girlfriend" all fall into that effortless synth-driven indie rock pop feel, and with the advancement of singer (and Sofia Coppolla squeeze) Thomas Mars lyrical play, it's hard to beat. Almost like a lyrical tweet, Mars' bite size couplets are intriguing, take the opening salvo: "So sentimental, not sentimental, no!/ Romantic, not disgusting yet," it's a back and forth of contrasts and paradoxes that occur throughout the album. Even the mostly instrumental "Love is a Sunset," follows the paradox, taking musical cues from their countrymen Air (and some Tangerine Dream circa Risky Business, thrown in for good measure). There's beauty in an ending ("When did we start the end?") and the song accomplishes the feat in spades (Part II - can't say I'm a fan of them breaking up the song into two parts for US release).

Free AOL Album Stream

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More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
Viva Voce - Rose City / "Devotion" [mp3]
A Hawk and a Hacksaw - Deliverance
Black Moth Super Rainbow - Eating Us / Free AOL Album Stream
Jenny Owen Youngs - Transmitter Failure
Sunn 0))) - Monoliths and Dimensions
The Bats - The Guilty Office
The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Smoking Acid
Naomi Shelton - What Have You Done, My Brother? / "What Have You Done" [mp3]
Tiga - Ciao / Free AOL Album Stream / "Mind Dimension" [mp3]
The Paper Chase - Someday This Could All Be Yours Vol. 1

REISSUES
Miles Davis - Sketches in Spain: 50th Anniversary (Legacy Edtion)
Charles Mingus - AH UM - 50th Anniversary (Legacy Edition)

tags: music, album review, phoenix, grizzly bear, indie rock, new releases, rhapsody

Ear on TV: Week of May 18: Grizzly Bear (loose in my neighborhood)

Fans of Stephen Colbert are well aware of his obsessive fear of grizzly bears*, so when it was made known that Letterman had booked both Colbert and the band Grizzly Bear on the same night (Wednesday,) there were more than a few knowing chuckles.

*Oddly enough, as I'm writing this, a very hungry bear (fresh from hibernation) is running loose in my neighborhood of Ballard in Seattle. The bear is a mere 10 blocks away, which is CRAZY -- racoons or possums, sure, but a BEAR? All of a sudden, Colbert's fear no longer seems as comical.

Grizzly Bear, for their part, is set to release one of the most critically anticipated albums of the year next week, with Veckatimest, which is a stunning collection of Pet Sounds-era Beach Boys harmonies paired with folk-based arrangements. The last time they appeared on Letterman, nearly a year ago (video) they debuted the song "Two Weeks," creating quite a stir in the blogosphere.

Ok, the bear hasn't been caught yet, but is now more 20 blocks away, so my threat level has moved from a "Colbert-Red" down to "Grizzly Adams-Gray." Also, he's apparently on the small side (but still HUNGRY).

Also making an appearance this week is Iron & Wine, hitting Fallon on Tuesday, in support of the b-side and rarities collection Around the Well. It's not often that artists will tour and make appearances in support of rarity collections, but the two-CD collection from singer/songwriter Sam Beam is rich with songs that would be treasured album cuts for most artists.

Bear is still on the loose, having a field day, no doubt, with it being garbage pick-up day in the morning here. While he's dodging tranq guns, it's past 2AM and I feel like I've been hit by one, so I'll sign off now and leave the bear to my dreams.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, May 18
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Franz Ferdinand (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: White Rabbits
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Method Man & Redman
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Crystal Antlers (REPEAT)
Tuesday, May 19
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Eminem
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Mims
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Iron & Wine
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Keane
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: No Doubt
Wednesday, May 20
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: No Doubt
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Grizzly Bear
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Airborne Toxic Event
Thursday, May 21
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Common, Busta Rhymes
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Presets
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Billy Boy on Poison
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Kills
Friday, May 22
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Eminem
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Green Day
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: The Decemberists
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Glasvegas
SUNDANCE: Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man: Leonard Cohen, U2, Nick Cave, Rufus Wainwright, Martha Wainwright, Beth Orton, Jarvis Cocker, Teddy Thompson
Saturday, May 23
BBCAMERICA: The Graham Norton Show: Lily Allen
PBS: Austin City Limits: Dixie Chicks (REPEAT)

Skins: Grounded

Music is used here to suggest that perhaps Tony didn't survive the bus crash, but then it moves into an original track by Skins composer Segal (called "Clutch") and we see Maxie and co. showing off his dancing skills, much like we met him in the very first episode (except here, he's got some partners -- see video). Tony's alive, but he's pretty much the opposite of how we first met him, in fact, he's got more in common with the actor Nicholas Hoult's Marcus character from About a Boy than he does with the Tony we came to know, love to hate and then, somehow, sympathize with. Tony's still on the outs with the group, but more because he's a burden than an annoyance like he had ended up. If Tony wants in, Maxxie wants out, dreaming of skipping college and trying out as a professional dancer. Turns out he might get some of his dancing skills from his father, played by UK comedian Bill Bailey, as exhibited by this dog dance, done to Julian Ronnie's appropriately named "Dog Dance":

All in all, more songs made the cut from the original than usual this time out, including Grizzly Bear's "The Knife," which had been cut from the Grizzly Bear-rich episode a couple weeks ago. Also making the cut is Posh Kenneth's rap (by staff writer MC Toby Welch) and local Bristol act Day One with "Bad Before Good" (featured with Maxxie dancing on the roof). But to cut the joyous Asobi Seksu's "Thursday" out of the touching scene where Tony signs his name (and says "do I have to gay you now?") gives back a lot of gained goodwill.

Playlist: Skins - Episode 2.01
1. "Tocatta and Fugue in D Minor" - J.S. Bach
2. "Clutch (Maxxie's Dance)" – Fat Segal (video) (download)
3. "Knife" - Grizzly Bear
4. "Flawed is Beautiful" - These Animal Men
5. "Dog Dance" - Julian Ronnie (video)
6. "Folsom Prison Blues" - Johnny Cash
7. "Bad Before Good" - Day One (video) (download)
8. "In Her Face" - Posh Kenneth aka MC Toby Welch (video)
9. "Organ Donor" - DJ Shadow
10. "Engine Room" - Tunng
11. "Limit to Your Love" - Feist
12. "Thursday" - Asobi Seksu

Weekly Roundup: Veni Vidi Vici

I came, I saw... I got socked in the eye.

While the Dirty Sexy Money premiere didn't exactly make me rethink the inevitability of me giving up on watching it, the inclusion of The Black Lips' "Veni Vidi Vici" during the episode got my attention. Black Lips? More like black eyes, huh Jeremy? The manipulative Darlings are the draw, obviously, but watching Nick blacken Jeremy's eye was a perverse thrill. They're trying hard to make Jill look more sympathetic this season, but I'm still not buying why we should care that they stay together. Queen's "Under Pressure" (with David Bowie) also makes a welcome appearance.

Chuck - Episode 2.01 (Playlist)
The second season premiere brought the funny, making up for the sometimes tiring reintroduction of the series to new fans. Musically, humor took the form of Huey Lewis & the News songs ("Hip to be Square," "Power of Love,") giving us contrasting views of how the cheese of Huey Lewis can either lift spirits or annoy the hell out of you depending on your mood. Then Flight of the Conchord's french pop parody "Foux du Fafa" helped amusingly introduce Sarah's new cover at a yogurt shop (Weinerlicious will surely be missed).
[More thoughts and tracklisting]

Life - Episode 2.01 (Playlist)
Life, on the other hand, doesn't have as much humor to make up for all the reintroductions that it put us through, and thus is suffered as a result. I assume (hope) that the next episode (tonight) will work much better. Musically, there's at least still some of the same commitment to quality that later episodes showed last season, this time highlighted by The Heavy's "Colleen."
[More thoughts and tracklisting]

True Blood - Episode 1.04 (Playlist)
Most of the series music thus far has been from the roadhouse, so it's refreshing to hear what the Vamps are listening to (You want dark? How about "Demon" by Darkest Hour). Bill seems to be a world music guy, listening first to some Hawaiian (Kalani Kinimaka) and then some Khmer (Cambodian) pop from Dengue Fever, whose song title ("Escape from Dragon House") also doubles as the episode title. Anyone got a translation of the song readily available?
[More thoughts and tracklisting]

Skins - Episode 2.08 (Playlist)
This week's "Effy" episode might just be the best and worst example of the show. It was riveting and full of all the drama that Gossip Girl and all the other teen soaps could only dream of. Tony descends even further down the likable meter, but then Josh's twisted revenge shifts the scales a bit back in his favor. He really does love Effy, and perhaps this is his turning point. Meanwhile, once again, they've stripped every single song out from how it originally aired, and this time it's even more egregious in that there were three songs by the amazing Grizzly Bear left on the cutting room floor. Someone on their staff must have had Yellow House in heavy rotation.
[More thoughts and tracklisting]

My Name Is Earl - Episodes 4.03-4.04 (playlist)
Back-to-back episodes are highlighted by Joy's turn from Heart's "Barracuda" bitch on the loose (reclaim it from Palin, Joy!) to slightly broken "Just Like a Woman" from Bob Dylan ("but she breaks, just like a little girl.")

Gossip Girl - Episode 2.05 (Playlist)
Highlighted by a Conor Oberst ("NYC - Gone, Gone") beginning, and a mid-show Duke Spirit rocker.

90210 - Episode 1.05 (Playlist)
Found myself fast-forwarding a lot, until I heard CSS' "Let's Reggae All Night"

More: The Simpsons premiered with Eddy Grant's "Electric Avenue," on the (usually) funny It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Mac and Charlie create a hilarious slideshow in tribute to their own death, to Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive." Complete with cowboy outfits and slick poses. Meanwhile, Mad Men gives tribute to Marilyn.

Skins: Shifting Scales

Long time no post, there Skins. It's not that I've stopped watching the show, on the contrary, I've been enthralled with the series thus far. It's just gotten tiring complaining about all the original music that's been stripped out of the show and replaced with cheap knockoff. Of course, it might just be my problem, since that's my thing, you know?

This week's "Effy" episode might just be the best and worst example of the show. It was riveting and full of all the drama that Gossip Girl and all the other teen soaps could only dream of. Tony descends even further down the likable meter, but then Josh's twisted revenge shifts the scales a bit back in his favor. He really does love Effy, and perhaps this is his turning point.

Meanwhile, once again, they've stripped every single song out from how it originally aired, and this time it's even more egregious in that there were three songs by the amazing Grizzly Bear left on the cutting room floor. Someone on their staff must have had Yellow House in heavy rotation. The otherworldly sounds of "Knife" and "On a Neck, On a Spit" worked so well with the original airing, and after hearing "Reprise" backing the scene between Sid and Cassie, you're left scratching your head with the whatever scrubs they found to paste in there.

It's not just Grizzly Bear, but also the ominous noise of Wolf Eyes' "Ancient Delay" as Tony walks through the odd rave scene trying to find Effy, M Craft's "Dragonfly" haunting the scene as Tony carries Effy to Sid's car, and the final scene of Sid acknowledging that Tony sort of 'owns him,' fittingly backed by a song about this sort of ownership, "Under Mi Sensi" by Barrington Levy. The episode still works, but it feels like a three-legged dog... he still fetches the ball, but you can't help noticing what's missing.

Playlist: Skins - Episode 2.08
1. "For Lovers" - Wolfman
2. "Keep Loving Me" - The Draytones
3. "0800 Dub" - Skream
4. "Knife" - Grizzly Bear
5. "On a Neck, On a Spit" - Grizzly Bear
6. "Tapped" - Skream
7. "Reprise" - Grizzly Bear
8. "Ancient Delay" - Wolf Eyes
9. "Dragonfly" - M. Craft
10. "Under Mi Sensi" - Barrington Levy

Ear on TV: The Week of July 21

The interracial Jacksonville, Florida quintet Black Kids have already ridden the wave of blog buzz, backlash and back again before even releasing their first album, Partie Traumatic, which hits the shelves tomorrow. That's both the power and the problem of the internet -- a couple high profile shows, some well-written pieces proclaiming their greatness, and before you know it, you've got a Behind the Music special being made before the band gets the benefit of any royalties. Black Kids, fronted by the personable Reggie Youngblood, sound like the perfect storm of blug buzz -- synth sounds stolen from the eighties, histrionic vocals in the vein of The Cure's Robert Smith, dance-oriented rock all played with child-like abandon -- it's no wonder that Partie Automatic debuted a couple weeks ago in the UK (at #5) before here, as across the pond, NME and it's also-rans love this kind of hype build up to a release.

Another reason for the album's release being this week is the band's inclusion in the soundtrack to the great high school documentary American Teen, which gets it's proper stateside release this Friday. The infectious song "I'm Not Going To Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance" is the featured song from the film, and they'll be playing it Thursday night on Letterman. In coordination, another band featured on the soundtrack also makes a late night appearance that same night, as Does It Offend You, Yeah? plays "Dawn of the Dead" on Kimmel. If it's intentional -- and you'll know if they hold up the soundtrack during intro/outro -- it's certainly an interesting marketing ploy for the film, given it's lack of marketable stars to work the talk show circuit.

Elsewhere, you can't go wrong with Grizzly Bear, playing Letterman Wednesday night, as the Brooklyn quartet debuts a new song ("Nine"). It's becoming a trend for the band as they did the same thing with the song "While You Wait for the Others" on Conan back in April. It's certainly a different approach to getting your music out there, which makes the pairing of them with the forward-thinking Radiohead on many dates this summer a great match both on and offstage.

Playlist: Picks for the week of 07.21.08
Monday, January 21
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Jamie Lidell
CBS: The Early Show: John Mellencamp
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Against Me!
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Alanis Morissette
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Katy Perry (REPEAT)
OVATION: Live From the Artist's Den: Crowded House
Tuesday, January 22
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Alanis Morissette
CBS: The Early Show: Sara Bareilles
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: The Duke Spirit
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Galactic (REPEAT)
Wednesday, January 23
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Grizzly Bear
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Ricky Skaggs
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: Nas
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Tilly & the Wall
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: The Time
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: The Duke Spirit (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Rick Ross (REPEAT)
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Alicia Keys (REPEAT)
Thursday, January 24
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Does It Offend You, Yeah?
\CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Black Kids
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Curt Smith
FUEL: The Daily Habit: King Khan & the Shrines
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Brett Dennen (REPEAT)
SUNDANCE: Live From Abbey Road: The Hoosiers, The Black Keys, Manu Chao
Friday, January 25
ABC: Good Morning America: Feist
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Pepper
Saturday, January 26
BBCAMERICA: The Graham Norton Show: Duffy (REPEAT)
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Arcade Fire (REPEAT)
PBS: Austin City Limits: Ben Folds, Ray LaMontagne (REPEAT)

Each day I spend it with you now

I'm not sure if there's room for two shows about a geek who's thrust into the role of anonymous hero after developing special powers, but I've been enjoying both Chuck (Monday nights on NBC) and Reaper (Tuesday nights on The CW,) regardless of their similarities (and low ratings). While Chuck is The Office meets Alias, Reaper is The Office meets Buffy The Vampire Slayer, as the two creators cut their teeth on that cult show. Reaper relies less on music, for the most part, but this week's episode had some exceptional choices.

Near the end (again, like Chuck,) Reaper has a moment of reflection, with this time coming as Andi reveals to Sam that she's staying at their McJob (the Home Depot-like Work Bench) for at least another semester (thanks to Satanic intervention -- Ray Wise' devilish smile on full display). For the scene, Reaper employs the use of the great Grizzly Bear track "On a Neck, On a Spit," focusing on the song's haunting 2nd half. The lyrics "each day I spend it with you now" fades up in volume as Sam realizes he's got another chance to get is act together and ask Andi out. The devil and I both are wondering why Sam's feet are in cement on the issue -- Andi (Missy Peregrym) is hot and is obviously into him. Yeah, I know... dark secret, the devil's in the details, yada yada yada. Back to second chances, consider this yours on the Grizzly Bear front. Their Yellow House album was in my top 10 from last year, and it won't be long before more people catch on to their brilliance.

Earlier in the episode, The Decemberists' "The Perfect Crime #2" blares it's Talking Heads-like rhythm from the bar jukebox. I'd love an excuse to quote the song's eloquent lyrics, but they really have nothing to do with the scene. Unfortunate placement, but hearing the song put a smile on my face regardless.

Reaper - Episode 103
1. "New Day's Dawning" - Saturn Missiles (MySpace) - Sam repeatedly finds a cockroach on his toothbrush
2. "Perfect Crime #2" - The Decemberists - The gang celebrates Andi's decision to go back to school at a bar
3. "On a Neck, On a Spit" - Grizzly Bear [mp3] - Andi reveals to Sam that she's not going back to school just yet

tags: music, television, soundtrack, reaper, grizzly bear, the decemberists, indie rock

Ear on TV: Week of March 12

Is the train wreck gonnna make it into the station? UK singer and accident-waiting-to-happen Amy Winehouse is due to make her network television debut tonight on Letterman, but there are some doubts as to whether she'll pull it off. She cancelled two shows last week, and then cancelled her SXSW appearances coming later this week, all in the wake of a booze binge followering her break-up with boyfriend chef Alex Jones-Donnelly. The brash yet soulful singer's appearance tonight and concert in NYC tomorrow night are both still penciled in, so it will be interesting to see if she can pull it together (perhaps more interesting if she can't.) Her new album Back to Black finally makes it to our shores tomorrow (listen to free album stream via AOL,) so there's definitely some pressure on her from her label to pull it together. However, her father came out today begging for her to slow down, or face rehab, adds further to the irony of the lyrics to her first single "Rehab:"

And if my daddy thinks I'm fine
They's tryin' to make me go to rehab--I won't go, go, go

Later in the week, be sure to set your Tivo/DVR to record Last Call With Carson Daly, as a trio of great performers make their way to Carson's lair. Sweden's Peter Bjorn and John will whistle their hit "Young Folks" on Wednesday, then freak folk outfit Grizzly Bear will amaze on Thursday night with their four-part harmony on the track "Knife." Finally, be sure to check out San Francisco's Deerhoof, as they take their frenetic pop to the network masses. Deerhoof and Grizzly Bear, in particular, are both acts you don't normally get to see make appearances like this, so it's a real treat.

Monday, March 12
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Amy Winehouse
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Dr. Dog
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: KT Tunstall
Tuesday, March 13
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Good, the Bad & the Queen
Wednesday, March 14
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Aqualung
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: The Shins
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Peter Bjorn and John
Thursday, March 15
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Grizzly Bear
Friday, March 16
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Deerhoof
Saturday, March 17
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Snow Patrol

tags: music, television, soundtrack, talk shows, amy winehouse, grizzly bear, deerhoof, peter, bjorn and john, indie rock, rhapsody

Kidnapped by Sasquatch

The lineup for this year's Sasquatch Music Festival was announced earlier today, and it's once again quite a doozy. Saturday features Arcade Fire, Bjork, M.I.A., The Hold Steady, Grizzly Bear, Two Gallants, Loney Dear, Viva Voce and more. Meanwhile Sunday has The Beastie Boys, Interpol, Spoon, The Black Angels, Tokyo Police Club, Smoosh and many more.

Playlist: Sasquatch Music Festival 2007

At first glance, Saturday is the better lineup, with a top-to-bottom embarrasment of riches. However, note that when Neko Case plays outside in the Northwest, Mother Nature does weird things (see video from last year's hail-laden performance.) I love her to death, but she's bad news weatherwise.

Sunday, on the other hand, has both the Neko-less weather and some Beastie Boys reunions. First, you'll note on the schedule that Money Mark plays earlier in the evening, so one has to assumed that he'll join the Beasties at some point during their set (and perhaps some reciprocal love will be in store earlier during MM's set.) Also, let's not forget that The Beastie Boys and Sasquatch have a history:

tags: playlist, music, sasquatch, gorge, northwest, neko case, beastie boys, arcade fire, the hold steady, grizzly bear, spoon, loney dear, gorge amphitheatre, sasquatch music festival, rhapsody, rhapsody