once over: "contra" by vampire weekend, release date jan 12

i loved the first release from vampire weekend. it was a self-titled release in 2008 from the four students from columbia university. it had a sound that i hadn't heard for a long time. i'd say the closest thing i could relate it to was paul simon during his "graceland" and rhythm of the saints" days.

i'm not saying it was a classic like "graceland" is, but who knows in ten years how "vampire weekend" will be viewed.

with their new album, "contra", before pushing play i was expecting a repeat. thinking a lot more of the same. happily, it sounds like their sound in the two years since their last release has got deeper. the lyrics are a little tighter. the music's a little more open. some of the songs feel a little synth-ed up and even some dabblings in electronica. i can dig that.

if you had a chance to see these guys live at liberty hall in lawrence on 9/11/08 at their amazingly packed and sold out show you know they look like four boys plucked from cul-de-sacs in the neighboring suburbs. nice, and clean shaven, this album feels more skinny jeans and PBR friendly. it's got more of a hipster, indie vibe to it and that's fine. i mean, they did all go to columbia, i think hipster flows through the water fountains on that campus.

if the last track of the album, "i think ur a contra" is any indication of the direction of this band, you know the same way a franchise film leaves you hanging knowing there will be a sequel, vamprie weekend's third album will be their best. it's a mix of grizzly bear and the antlers. i know a lot of bands are heading down that road right now, but that road's one of my favorite streets in town.

favorite track: "horchata"
here's a video from a live show, but overdubbed is the audio from the album. this being the second week of the year, in the bleak of mid-winter so to speak, this song really makes you remember summertime. a feeling we could all use a little of in kansas city right now.

it's only tuesday, but let's talk about the weekend

this weekend may offer 2 feet of snow and some other polar bear friendly conditions, but you need to crawl out of your cave. there's WAY too much cool stuff happening for you to stay home and watch another "jersey shore" marathon on mtv.

FRIDAY NIGHT - your agenda
what: Mid America Manifesto: Music Poster Design and Printmaker Showcase
where: 1819 Central Gallery + Event Space
when: the gallery opens friday, january 8 at 6:00 pm. it will remain on display until march 4
more info here.

the gallery will feature concert posters from some of your favorite local and national bands and probably some of the bands you are in. the Alacartoona poster above is by GravityInk who will be at the event.

what: Michael Byars gets the "Tantrum" treatment at the Westport Coffeehouse Theatre
when: Friday, January 8 from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
more info here.

the good people of the Tantrum improvisational troupe have been looking for a sacrificial lamb to start the new decade with - guess who? our favorite KCUR Morning Edition host, Michael Byars. it should be a good and hilarious time.

what: Brannock Device, Howard Iceberg and Grisly Hand at Davey's Uptown
when: Friday, January 8 at 9:30 pm
more info here.

THREE great bands all under one warm roof.

what: Mark Lowrey vs Hip Hop at Czar Bar
when: Friday, January 8 at 10 pm
what it all means: Lowrey and Brandon Draper will be playing jazz vs the freestyle hip hop stylings of Les Izmore (hearts of darkness), Sephiroth, Vertigone, and Swayzorblades

SATURDAY NIGHT - your agenda



what: The Old Canes, The Caves and Cowboy Indian Bear
when: Saturday, January 9 at 10 pm
what it all means: back in 2004, one of Tim Finn's favorite albums of the year was "Early Morning Hymns" by The Old Canes. in 2009 they re-emerged and are now signed to Saddle Creek. the video above shows the creation of their newest album from 2009, "Feral Harmonic".

additionally, it was one of my favorite albums of the year in 2004 and the lead singer, Chris Crisci is the lead singer of my beloved, The Appleseed Cast.


what: screening of the film, "The Room" and SH3PP@MA+ICS (Nomath/Botnet Hive) at Czar Bar
when: Saturday, January 9, 2010 at 9:05pm - till 3am (yep, now open till 3am)
more info here.

come for a screening of the cult classic film and stay for beats by SH3PP@MA+ICS (Nomath/Botnet Hive) & IGGYBABY (Botnet Hive).

10 things to look forward in 2010 and other bits

2009 was great and as we are about to enter 2010 there are a few things to look forward to. musically, of course. let's discuss.

SXSW 2010 - march 17 - 21
my first trip in 2009 was the best week of my life. hands down. hoping for a repeat or at least as close to one as i can get this march. there's still time to make plans for you to go.

THE NATIONAL - new album, date and name TBD
the album has some HUGE shoes to fill as a follow up to Boxer, that album is on handfuls of "albums of the decade" list, including mine.

FRIGHTENED RABBIT - new album, march 9, "winter of mixed drinks"
they already released the first single and i heard it live this summer, it's great. the album's going to be more of the same, which is piles of awesome. hopefully they'll get some more recognition this time in the states.

THE APPLESEED CAST - new tour playing old songs, february and march
local heroes (of mine) are getting ready to hit the road in february and will be playing in full TWO of my favorite albums of all time, "low level owl: volume 1 and 2." if this was ten years ago i'd hope that someone with power would be in the room at one of those gigs. these days people of power don't exist, so i'll just wish them a successful tour and hope they sell a ton of merch to pay the bills.

JONSI BIRGISSON (Sigur Ros frontman) - new album, march 23, "go"
my icelandic hero jonsi is putting out a solo album. not sure how "solo" it will be, but i'm positive it will be remarkable. i'll starting lighting candles in hope of a tour.

ALBUM LEAF - new album, february 2, "a chorus of storytellers"
i'm amazed that these guys aren't household names yet. and live, they put on a special show. maybe we'll get a tour too.

LILITH FAIR festival - summer 2010
obviously not an album, but a tour, but it should be great. kansas city isn't on their agenda yet, but the line will be well worth the drive.

JJ - new album, march 9, name TBD
this obscure band shall be obscure no more! properly signed to a label and currently lining up things for a new release. this album will be a sxsw darling and probably make it impossible for me to see them in austin a week after the album is cut.

JJ to tour with XX - spring 2010
hipsters get in line! should be a great time. the pairing only happens 7 times. not sure if i'll make it to a show, but the musical smugness in that room makes me happy.

WHITE STRIPES Documentary, march, "great white northern lights"
jack white was in one of my favorite movies in 2009, "it might get loud". perhaps in 2010 he'll pull a repeat with their tour documentary. they played tiny towns in crazy small corners of the world. the movie should be awesome.

other bits:
VAMPIRE WEEKEND - new album, january 12, "contra"
ARCADE FIRE - new album, may release, name unknown
THE COLBERT REPORT - more musical bookings
THE HOLD STEADY - hinted at new album in 2010, not much else known
CAT POWER - chan marshall drops some hints of a new album in late 2010
FLEET FOXES - heard in an interview, should have something out in fall 2010
BAND OF HORSES - new album, date TBD, "night rainbows"
PETER GABRIEL - new album, feb. 15, "scratch my back"
JOHN BUTLER TRIO - new album, date TBD, "april uprising"