1.26.2010
It appears this is it — our first listen to the new crop of Joanna Newsom songs. At one of the opening gigs of her current tour, the harpist played a full hour’s worth of material presumably slated for next month’s Have One On Me, including the 11+ minute (!) title track. (Several of the songs previously surfaced on YouTube.) Is this whole record? Or could there be more?! (Where’s “Esame?”) If it’s all as good as this, there can never be enough. Download the set after the jump. (Bootleg thanks to FanMadeRecordings) Read the rest of this entry »
Bootlegs, Joanna Newsom
1.20.2010
Photo by David Greenwald
Do not underestimate Thom Yorke ????, or as I’m calling them, The Thom Band. As confirmed by EW.com, the Radiohead frontman is bringing his solo act (with Flea, Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich, Joey Waronker and Mauro Refosco) to Coachella. While time hasn’t been kind to Thom’s solo effort, The Eraser, playing it live has — at his trio of L.A. gigs last fall, the onslaught of live percussion and synthesizers ballooned the songs to nearly Radiohead-sized epics. I had the pleasure of hearing the act in action on October 4, 2009; after the jump, you can, too. Read the rest of this entry »
Bootlegs, Radiohead
1.19.2010
Photo by David Greenwald
A full concert video via Grandcrew.com, a month before the Mountain Goats played Los Angeles, after the jump. Front goat John Darnielle is his usual manic, cheery self. Read the rest of this entry »
Bootlegs, The Mountain Goats, Videos
11.30.2009
Dan Bejar hasn’t left us wanting since the release of 2008’s underrated Trouble in Dreams. The chief Destroyer embarked on a solo tour this spring, released the epic Bay of Pigs EP, and in an October solo show in Montreal, debuted another new track — the surprisingly personal “Chinatown.”
“This is a song I wrote about where I live,” Dan notes, a rare admission from a lyricist whose works are usually labyrinthine enough for minotaurs. And the look into his private world isn’t a pretty one: “I drink my wine from a porcelain cup / I fall down!” he growls at the song’s climax, continuing, “I know you and I know the score / I can’t walk away / you can’t walk away.” Is Bejar growing transparent as his career lengthens? Hard to say: “So that was a protest song,” he deadpans at the performance’s conclusion. Well, as long as it’s not about Roman Polanski.
Destroyer – “Chinatown” (live, 10.02.09): mp3
More: Bootlegs | Destroyer
2009, Bootlegs, Destroyer
11.9.2009
Ryan Adams can be too hard on himself. Let It B-Minus may not be his highest-graded collection, but the sessions certainly deserved release beyond his Web site, circa 2006, where it emerged alongside goofball, Garage Band-y albums under his monikers DJ Reggie and Warren Peace. But Let It B-Minus, recorded as Sad Dracula, is a more serious affair.
An homage to the Replacements’ album of the similar name, Let It B-Minus was recorded in the faded style of Cold Roses and played with the Danzigian fury of Rock N Roll’s heavier moments. Over 27 minutes, it spans much of his range — “Actors on Actors” is up there with his most wistful work, while “4th of July” winks at the Strokes with its down-stroked guitars. It’s a loud, loose record that makes even its sillier stuff — the mid-album block of “Temporary Vampire,” “Steve Miller & Weed” and “Be Careful” — more immediate (and less self-conscious) than, say, “Halloweenhead.” As the slow-cooked sound of Easy Tiger and Cardinology unfortunately proved, Ryan’s at his best when he’s reckless and on the run. Whatever its failings, Let It B-Minus is a fearless record — hopefully not his last.
Ryan Adams – “4th of July”: mp3
(Let It B-Minus is available wherever fine torrents are downloaded)
Previously: More Ryan Adams
Bootlegs, Ryan Adams
10.12.2009
Ah, the glory days. When Largo was on Fairfax, sarcastic singer-songwriters had a shot at the mainstream, and Aimee Mann was just entering her artistic prime. Enjoy the memories.
[Photo by 6tee-zeven]
(Gentle readers may notice one wee Jon Brion playing along on this one.) Read the rest of this entry »
Bootlegs, Jon Brion
9.3.2009
In my somewhat-exhaustive voyage through Elliott Smith’s performance history (analyzed here), this is the one that stands out the most. It’s certainly the best show I’ve heard from its era, the lucky combination of a fierce (in the hungry lion way and not the Project Runway way) performance, an immaculate soundboard recording and a perfect mid-career setlist complete with a Big Star cover.
Rawkblog contributor Greg Katz once said that if he had played like this every night, he would’ve been remembered as one of the best live performers ever. Well, at least on this Swedish summer night, he was. Read the rest of this entry »
Bootlegs, Elliott Smith
8.28.2009
I guess we were about due for our annual Elliott Smith track leak, huh? “Grand Mal” is another totally tremendous song from the late singer-songwriter’s archives, appearing out of nowhere but apparently from his sessions for XO – an album for which this song nearly served as the title track. At any rate, this song is a gorgeous addition to the already overflowing catalog of the best musician of his generation.
Elliott Smith – “Grand Mal”: mp3
Previously: Bootleg: Elliott Smith – “I’m So Tired” | All Elliott Posts
Bootlegs, Elliott Smith
