en http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/uk/ Thu, 1 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 Thu, 1 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 60 http://www.audioscrobbler.net/data/webservices http://www.last.fm/user/wackingmonkey/journal The Last.fm journal for wackingmonkey. Last.fm journals are a place to talk about all things music. http://www.last.fm/user/wackingmonkey/journal/2012/03/04/5cw56b_now_serving.._tennis_-_review Sun, 4 Mar 2012 02:48:38 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/wackingmonkey/journal/2012/03/04/5cw56b_now_serving.._tennis_-_review Sun 26 Feb – Tennis, In Tall Buildings
Turns out the husband/wife combination of Patrick Riley and Alaina Moore discovered more than open water when the duo left their hometown of Denver to sail together over ocean waters. The two also discovered their incredibly palatable indie-pop sound and transformed it into something worth listening. The couple, along with drummer and other multi-instrumentalist, infused Lincoln Hall with an overwhelming feeling reminiscent of what I imagined to be a nostalgic, 80's high school prom scene. The only thing missing was the Rat Pack.

The opening song It All Feels The Same set the tone for evening with floating guitar chords and light-weighted female vocals that drifted throughout many cuts from their recently released record Young & Old. About halfway through the show, lead singer Alaina Moore took the mic and fixed herself center stage as she prefaced the crowd about the danceability of forthcoming Petition. It did indeed increase the intensity of head-bobbing and body hopping amongst the venue's patrons. Other tracks like High Road and Traveling kept the audience steadily engaged until the lead single Origins finished the set. Rest assured the energy level never matched that of a contemporary high school prom.

In my short years attending live shows, an encore has become all but required for any artist worth witnessing live. Tennis left no exception to this new standard by returning to the stage for a short two song encore that was more old than young; finishing the night with Take Me Somewhere from the couple's first studio album Cape Dory. Make no faults about it, Tennis has the modern, pure-hearted chemistry to make the average person think of more than the classic, preppy sport for which they are named.

Follow Tennis on Twitter @TennisInc and follow me too! @wackingmonkey]]> http://www.last.fm/user/wackingmonkey/journal/2012/02/25/5cix7t_young_the_crowd Sat, 25 Feb 2012 21:40:43 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/wackingmonkey/journal/2012/02/25/5cix7t_young_the_crowd Thu 23 Feb – Young the Giant, Walk the Moon

High energy and excitement were brought to The Riviera Theater stage as indie pop rock sensation Young the Giant played another sold out show in their still fresh, MTV endorsed tour with Walk the Moon. The Irvine, California group rocked and danced the stage with crashing drums, pop ballad guitar riffs and soaring vocals from lead singer Sameer Gadhia. It didn't take any time to get the youthful crowd completely involved. With vibrant light displays and illuminated cubes accenting the stage the five piece band had all systems working as they played radio hits 'Cough Syrup' and summer-jam 'Strings'.

The steady ascension of anticipation from the crowd continued to build throughout the entirety of the show. From the moment Gadhia and company greeted the crowd through the proverbial encore, the entire venue was filled electric lights, wailing vocals, poppy guitar riffs and a little crowd surfing! The encore added an unprecedented reappearance of the entire band in fur coats for a Chicago-only rendition of native R. Kelly's Ignition Remix. It was a smashing success of blended hip-hop beats and pop vocals. The grand finale came in the form of the danceable 'My Body', arguably the most upbeat song of the night. These guys simply ignited the crowd and did MTV proud. This is a must see live band if you want to be young... or feel like a giant. There, I said it.]]> http://www.last.fm/user/wackingmonkey/journal/2012/02/22/5cbq7c_holy_zola!_-_review Wed, 22 Feb 2012 06:30:26 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/wackingmonkey/journal/2012/02/22/5cbq7c_holy_zola!_-_review Tue 21 Feb – Zola Jesus, Chris Connelly, Talk Normal

Her introduction came in a smoke filled room with giant blue cubes attempting a weak hue of illumination to the stage. When Nika, the 22 year old vocalist, let her air leave her lungs, her howling voice filled the room. The Russian-American singer was accompanied by an electric violin, electronic keyboard and standing, cocktail inspired drum set. The instrumental combination proved to be original sounds of powerful vocals and rhythmic drumming harmonized by long strings and chorded keys.

Some might find it simple to compare her strength of voice to one in line with Florence Welch but the noise surrounding her contrasts the sound to something better described as a modern, electronic four-person tribal number. And it was clear from the blonde haired leader that it was her venue and she was going to dominate it. Nika performed the entirety of her set barefooted and let the rhythm control her as she crawled on tops of speakers and ventured on the floor, deep into the crowd. The night was taken over by Zola Jesus as they played just about everything from the highly anticipated 2011 release, Conatus

The momentum of the evening continued to build throughout each song, climaxing in the set finale capped by Nika blasting the cymbals with repeated blows. Two song highlights included the slowed down, piano led performance of Skin and the pop appealing favorite Vessel. The electronic infused, vocal heavy sound carried the show and left the crowd wanting more. Definitely a show worth seeing!

Talk Normal was the opening act and couldn't sound more opposite of their name. The drum and guitar pair began the evening with a painful performance of brash vocals, fuzzed guitar, and abrasive drumming. At no-point was it discernible what either one of the Brooklyn duo was saying. There needs a lot of work if these two are going to continue as an opening act.]]> http://www.last.fm/user/wackingmonkey/journal/2012/02/18/5c4srw_it%27s_sharon%27s_turn Sat, 18 Feb 2012 16:40:34 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/wackingmonkey/journal/2012/02/18/5c4srw_it%27s_sharon%27s_turn Fri 17 Feb – Sharon van Etten, Shearwater
...and she took the stage for what unfolded as a very casual, comfortable and musically impressive performance. "I'm learning," the New Jersey native kept repeating in between songs. Nobody in the audience seemed to care when minutes passed during song breaks because we were all entertained by "5-second giggle" jokes and nonsensical banter between Sharon and tourmate, Heather Woods-Broderick. Sharon Van Etten performed songs from her most recent released album, Tramp and older songs, like Save Yourself, familiar to her more experienced fans. At one point, a fan shouted a request for One Day and the vocalist responded directly. The two exchanged some casual dialogue about the importance of the song, which prompted Sharon to alter the set list and play the request. "I like that we could work that out," she told the fan after the song.

It was obvious to most in the crowd that the young singer/songwriter is still learning how to handle being in the spotlight and controlling a room. The stage was set after opening act Shearwater blasted vocals and left guitar shreddings strewn about but Sharon immediately reverted the platform to something that felt more like a local coffee house. The touring and musical experience of former Okkervil River band members in Shearwater will undoubtedly help Sharon adjust to playing sold out venues all over the country. Although, she will need no help captivating a crowd. Her impromptu verbal quips and on-stage "mistakes" showed her human nature and opened the door for her humbled personality to shine.

The evening ended with a two song encore, including a finale with the members of Shearwater. Nobody in the audience or on stage seemed to mind Sharon reading the lyrics from the paper she was holding in her hand. Her antics, mix-ups, and retakes were all part of the experience. It's only a matter of time until the Jagjaguwar artist polishes her performances and lets the spotlight shine on her lyrical and vocal beauty.

You can follow Sharon on Twitter @SharonVanEtten and listen to some of her music right here on last.fm. Check out a pic here Sharon Van Etten @LincolnHall 2/17/12]]> http://www.last.fm/user/wackingmonkey/journal/2008/12/29/2d1csi_top_albums_of_2008 Mon, 29 Dec 2008 07:42:01 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/wackingmonkey/journal/2008/12/29/2d1csi_top_albums_of_2008 Okay enough is enough. I have been reading "Top Album" lists for 2008 everywhere and save Pitchfork and Rolling Stone I have yet to see a list that doesn't display inclination for certain sounds and genres. So I am simply throwing ten albums I think capture the year of real originality that was.

In Rainbows
Narrow Stairs
The Carter III
Intimacy
Oracular Spectacular
Only by the Night
Viva la Vida
Theater Of The Mind
Partie Traumatic
Vampire Weekend

Feel free to add comments or suggestions of your own to my selections.]]>