I still buy cds

I wouldn't mind the extra space on my shelf and I probably could easily get rid of a ton of cds I don't listen to anymore. I have most if not all of my cds on my computer. I could get rid of them, but I just can't bring myself to do it. Maybe it's the fear that I'd lose my digital music collection & not have those cds there like some insurance policy. Maybe I have problems getting rid of stuff. But mostly, I just like owning a cd, a lot of times for the artwork, but for that solid physical copy. Sure, it's on iTunes and my iPod, but I'm still driving around in a car equipped with a cd player and those cds help me survive the often horrible radio options LA has to offer. I could save myself a few dollars, buy it online, burn a cd... but there's just something missing. And I love when the band makes the extra effort to make their albums not just music, but art.

Bringing us to the last two cds I bought - Red Knife Lottery's Soiled Soul & Rapture and Every Time I Die's New Junk Aesthetic.

I first discovered Red Knife Lottery's music after getting a flier after a show, The Blood Brothers at the Roxy I think and that flier sat on my desk for a long long time without checking them out, mainly b/c the artwork on it was so nice that I thought at some point I might cut it up & paste it on a letter. I was a little put off by their choice of a band name, probably due to the fact that I was a big fan of The Casket Lottery & thought Red Knife Lottery didn't make much sense. A couple years went by, I finally listened to them and glad I did. So Much Drama being a fantastic song & making me wish I hadn't waited so long. I finally got around to buying their EP this year (which was released in 2005), happily to soon be followed by their first full length. I guess I should be glad I didn't have to wait all those years for the full length to come out. The new album brings a more rounded feel to their songs & I especially like Raise No Fool. Do yourself a favor & check it out. The band still remind me a lot in parts of The Blood Brothers & Pretty Girls Make Graves. I can hear a lot of similarities in their music, but I think the Red Knife Lottery make it their own & here's hoping someone notices.

I popped in ETID's new album & straight off the bat I notice they've gotten back to a more heavier sound, which I was happy to hear. I started listening to this band in college probably around the year 2000 (lol! the year 2000...) and since I went to school an hour from Buffalo, they came through town a lot. I've seen them play in lodges in the park, at bars, at larger venues. I heard someone once refer to them as "fashion core", which I can't say I ever really agreed with or understood. They certainly have gone through some kind of progression with their albums, from straight up screaming hardcore to more rock 'n roll but each time they put out an album & I'm not sure if I like the direction they've gone, they win me over every time. Plus their videos are usually pretty hilarious & fun to watch. I haven't seen them perform in quite a while but I certainly would like to. You have to hand it to them, they're creative & they seem to have fun with it.


www.redknifelottery.com
www.myspace.com/redknifelottery
www.myspace.com/everytimeidie

I Got A Date With The Night!

Karen O is a fucking rock star. There's no denying it. I've only been able to see the Yeah Yeah Yeahs in concert twice and it's not a disappointment. Seeing them on a larger scale this time at the Greek, I was super excited to find out that The Breeders were opening for them. I think I had Last Splash on heavy rotation back in 1996, laying a bit of a soundtrack for me during college. They still sound great, although I'm not really sure I can get into their new songs. They seem almost too experimental, although I don't think I've made a real decision on that yet. This was also the second time I've seen The Breeders in concert, the first being at The Troubadour a few years ago.

The YYYs had a phenomenal show & really had me wishing I was in the pit or A section for all the fun - and by fun I mean, glitter flowing in circles from the sky, confetti obliterating the air & huge eye balls bouncing around the crowd. Not to mention Karen O coming on stage dressed as what I can only describe as a zebra. She was twirling around, dancing, jumping, swallowing the mic, posing like crazy & don't we love her for it. Man would this band be a blast to shoot professionally. I found myself going overboard with the videotaping... why do I do that? It's probably some inherent need to tape everything, thanks to working in reality TV I'm sure. And of course I took some photos from up where I was. The view was pretty good despite the tall men dancing in front of me, causing me to have to look between their heads for what view I could get.

Check out some photos/clips from The Breeders & YYYs. I've had Divine Hammer in my head for days, but I'm giving you another song for my own personal nostalgic reasons. I took a bit of a pause during the last YYYs song to take some photos but they certainly go off (and I mean GO OFF) w/ Date With The Night. Love that song!














www.yeahyeahyeahs.com
www.myspace.com/thebreeders

Solidarity Rock

My friend Aaron is involved with a non-profit organization called Solidarity Rock, which benefits musicians & artists in Cuba. I think it's an interesting idea/cause & considering how much I like music, seems only fitting I should mention it. They had a benefit concert earlier this week at Hotel Cafe.

The Westar

The Kris Special

Please check it out:

www.solidarityrock.com
Solidarity Rock Facebook Group