Though it was still cool for a Boston summer evening, the sun had managed to poke through around midday, creating a positive atmosphere with smiles and flip-fopped feet lining the street. In many ways, it was the perfect prelude to a Matisyahu concert, the Hasidic Jew with a penchant for reggae beats and hopeful lyrics.

As I changed out of workday clothes into concert gear in my girl’s car, the faint sound of a “Ohhhhh” floated through the air, telling us the punctual Bank of America Pavilion had suddenly come to life.

“Do you think my car will be towed? It’s ok in that spot, right?” she asked as we walked, the sound getting louder.
“Yea, I’m sure it’s fine.”

Truthfully, I wasn’t that sure, but at that point it was too late. Like the sun poking through rainclouds at noon, there’s a strange sense of contentment and happiness that hits you during a Matisyahu concert. Maybe it’s the ambiguous religiosity of the shows. Or maybe it’s the strong scent of weed in the air.

We walked in as he was performing “Jerusalem” and as I paid my $10 beer (at least it was Samuel Adams) and headed to my seat, I began to look around at the crowd.

There was a mix, from some loners to my left to the bald-headed dad in front of me who looked like he was there with his entire family.  There was also a girl further down my row with her arms crossed, possibly wondering why she picked the hippie over the jock as her boyfriend at that party that one time.

Pretty soon, the music started to pick up causing everyone to do the same kind of dance, a sort of backward march thing, but in place (It’s the kind of natural movement that immediate comes when hearing reggae. Put some on now and see).

And then the DMB jam session began.

It’s a term my better half and I made up and it refers to an extended section of a song where everything slows down and suddenly it turns into a different song that is slow and sounds nothing like the initial song you were listening to.

This happened. A lot. At one point it was just Matisyahu singing “waaaahhhhhhoooooooooohhhhhh” into the mic for what seemed like 10 minutes.

It’s not that it was bad. Quite the opposite. But it was relaxing and as the shoulders began to slump downward, some in the crowd began to look tired (bald dad sat down and crossed his legs, the ultimate sign of “I need rest now”).

It got to the point when I started to ask why other songs weren’t being played like “Youth” or “Indestructible.” Inevitably “King Without a Crown” was played and I feared it was the end of the set. Thankfully, it wasn’t.

The show ended with his new single “One Day,” a Top 40-radio ready song that will be in numerous Summer 09 iPod playlists once it gets more airplay.

At this moment, life crept back into the crowd. The loners started to smile at strangers. Bald dad uncrossed his legs and held his wife. Even angry girlfriend started to sway and nod her head.

Granted, it’s an undeniably catchy song, but as we left with the chorus still ringing in my ears, I realized the basic message of staying positive for a better tomorrow is probably what gets people. And in the end, that’s the essence of religion and music. One guy just decided to take the best of both and grow a beard.

[Below is a video of some pictures with "One Day" playing. It's admittedly horrible. But I like to think it will mark a new project for 52shows, the video/pic documentation of a show. Just need to sneak in a better camera.]

[vimeo 5518046]

For a moment, Michael Jackson’s dream of world unity was realized with people of all ages, races and gender blasting his music out in the streets. Unfortunately, it came at the price of his pre-mature death at the age of 50 from what the media is saying was from a cardiac arrest.

As I walked away from the day job and toward a Boston bar to watch the news on CNN, sounds of “Dirty Diana,” “Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough” and “Black or White” penetrated the air, creating a strange sort of aural pop music soup that seemed to inspire smiles, followed by the inevitable single tear in the corner of various eyes.

In the bar, people appeared to be visibly shocked at the news and soon Blackberries were out to log on to Twitter feeds to comment about the latest news or speculation.

Michael Jackson was dead…and the world didn’t know how to react.

Eventually, people found a way, either through blasting the Ultimate Collection album they had on their iPod, which they hadn’t listened to in years, or by talking about their favorite songs.

As for me, it’s strange to say, but Jackson’s death felt like a personal loss. Thriller was the first real album my sister and I got as kids. We had the choice between Billy Joel and Michael Jackson (essentially it was a choice between the songs “Uptown Girl” or “Thriller.” I often wonder how my life would have panned out had I grew up singing “…she’s just living in her white bread world”).

But even that young age, my sister and I knew there was something special about Jackson and soon enough, like every kid in America at the time, we were imitating the dance moves as best we could. Today, those same dance moves can make you the most popular on the dance floor whenever a Jackson song is played.

A lot changed for the pop star since Thriller and not all of it was positive. From the legal troubles and strange behavior, Michael has never truly gotten a break from the media despite his unquestionable contribution to the world of music.

As I did back then, I’m choosing the music over anything else and will strut down a sidewalk every time I hear Billie Jean. Thanks to Michael, I will forever choose the music and the chance to dance…because those fleeting moments are ones of unity, freedom and tranquility. And it’s rare to experience any one of those emotions on their own, let alone at the same time.

Wordpress is shitting the bed again, so sorry for no streaming audio.

Auld Lang Syne has been kicking around the stereo for a while now and everytime I listen to it, I start to dig it more. Had this blog the function right now, I would stream “Rusty Prayer” for you, with it’s slow-draw of a beat along with the incorporation of an accordian, which is every indie-rock fan’s dream to have in a band.

“Down the wrong tracks/ Down the wrong way/ Like a rusty prayer/ Leading to the highway…”

It’s a slow tune, the kind you drink whiskey or a bottle of red wine to at the end of the day. Yet, as you listen to the rest of the album, there’s a bite there. At times, it feels like the band is waiting to bust from the seams and that underneath this slow, southern drawl, there’s a different animal waiting in the wings to tear the house down.

This is apparent in the album opener “Long Ago,” a song that sounds like the group is channeling a demonic Johnny Cash with a band from hell backing him. This experiment doesn’t last long and the Auld soon folds into a quieter version of itself, with the aforementioned bite.

Again, apologies for no streaming audio. Wordpress, like cheap tequila, is failing to cooperate.

Jul 10 2009 8:00P
Abilene Rochester, New York

Jul 11 2009 8:00P
The Barn Fulton, New York

Jul 24 2009 7:00P
Boulder Festival Rochester, New York

This will be a quick post since we just got this track in our email and I wanted to get it out, mostly because I can foresee the weeks/weekends getting crazy in the near future.

Andrew Bryant, in the simplest terms, is a bearded man with a guitar singing songs about whiskey, being hungover and, with this song in particular, how to get someone out of your mind. In this case, it’s the Chicago Wind and a steady rock beat.

It’s the kind of tone that makes your head bob endlessly, though you don’t seem to mind. We’ve asked for the album, so there could be more coming from Bryant. For now, listen to the track below and grow yourself a beard with some whiskey.

Andrew Bryant - Chicago Wind

Jun 15 2009 9:00P   Grape Escape w/ Theodore Galena, Illinois
Jun 16 2009 5:30P   Open Door Supper (First United Methodist Church) w/ Theodore Southaven, Michigan
Jun 16 2009 9:00P   Foundry Hall w/ Theodore Southhaven, Michigan
Jun 17 2009 8:00P   Elbow Room w/ Theodore Ypsilanti, Michigan
Jun 18 2009 9:00P   Southgate House w/ Theodore Newport, Kentucky
Jun 19 2009 9:00P   Green Lantern Bar w/ Theodore Lexington, Kentucky
Jun 20 2009 9:00P  Donkey Coffee w/ Theodore Dayton, Ohio
Jun 21 2009 8:00P  The Treehouse w/ Theodore Columbus, Ohio
Jun 22 2009 9:00P  Allegany Center for the Arts w/ Theodore Warren, Pennsylvania
Jun 23 2009 9:00P  123 Pleasant St. w/ Theodore Morgantown, West Virginia
Jun 24 2009 9:00P  The Fire w/ Theodore Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jun 27 2009 9:00P  El Rancho Grande w/ Theodore Baltimore, Maryland
Jun 28 2009 9:00P  House Show w/ Theodore Fredericksburg, Virginia
Jun 29 2009 8:00P  Spazzatorium Galleria w/ Theodore Greenville, North Carolina
Jun 30 2009 8:00P  The Boot w/ Theodore Norfolk, Virginia
Jul 1 2009 9:00P       Tin Roof w/ Theodore Charleston, South Carolina
Jul 3 2009 8:00P      Caledonia Lounge w/ Theodore and Casper & the Cookies Athens, Georgia
Jul 6 2009 8:00P      The Acoustic Coffeehouse w/ Theodore Johnson City, Tennessee
Jul 7 2009 8:00P      The Basement w/ Theodore Nashville, Tennessee
Jul 8 2009 8:00P      Hi-Tone w/ Theodore Memphis, Tennessee
Jul 9 2009 9:00P      TBA w/ Theodore Oxford, Mississippi
Jul 10 2009 8:00P   Schlafly Tap Room w/ Theodore - Andrew Bryant w/ Theodore St. Louis, Missouri
Jul 11 2009 8:00P    Maxine’s w/ Theodore Hot Springs, Arkansas
Jul 12 2009 8:00P    Notsuoh w/ Theodore Houston, Texas
Jul 13 2009 8:00P    TBA w/ Theodore Austin, Texas
Jul 14 2009 8:00P    Plush - Front Room Tucson, Arizona
Jul 16 2009 8:00P    Modified Arts w/ Theodore Phoenix, Arizona
Jul 17 2009 8:00P    Chyro Arts w/ Theodore Scottsdale, Arizona
Jul 18 2009 8:00P    TBA w/ Theodore Los Angeles, California
Jul 19 2009 8:00P    TBA w/ Theodore Ukiah, California
Jul 20 2009 8:00P    House Show w/ Theodore Portland, Oregon
Jul 21 2009 8:00P    Sunset Tavern w/ Theodore Seattle, Washington
Jul 22 2009 8:00P    Bob’s Java Jive w/ Theodore Tacoma, Washington
Jul 24 2009 8:00P    Flying M Coffee w/ Theodore Nampa, Idaho
Jul 25 2009 9:00P    The Woodshed w/ Theodore Salt Lake City, Utah
Jul 28 2009 8:00P    The Roman w/ Theodore Kearney, Nebraska
Jul 29 2009 8:00P     The Slowdown w/ Theodore Omaha, Nebraska
Jul 30 2009 8:00P     Vaudeville Mews w/ Theodore Des Moines, Iowa
Jul 31 2009 8:00P     Ames Progressive Office w/ Theodore Ames, Iowa
Aug 1 2009 8:00P      TBA Chicago, Illinois

Whenever I listen to Kasabian, I always feel like I should be running on a European street, either away from the police or towards a party.  It doesn’t matter which one because the emotion involved is the same.

Their new album, The West Ryder Pauper, offers that same kind of adrenaline-laden rock with a sinister undertone with the opener “Underdog.”

By the third track, called “Swarfiga,” you’ll feel like you’re inside the soundtrack of a drug-induced film. The song has a rolling beat, and it’s easy to imagine it being played live, with hipsters repeating the same dance move over and over and over again. Even when you think a song is going to be slow, such as the single “Fire,” it picks up in the middle, sending you down another strange aural path.

And, as always, it makes me feel like running out and committing vandalism or, at the very least, causing a public disturbance all in the name of a good song.

Thankfully, the band appears to realize its power over the feeble-minded and incorporated the down-tempo song “Happiness” to end the album. Without it, some people may not be able to calm down.

It’s that kind of weird mixture that has always attracted me to this band. It’s as if they know when I want to hear the club rock mix and when I need the soft color and tones of a lounge.

Kasabian - Fire

May 29 2009 8:00P De Montfort Hall Leicester

May 30 2009 8:00P De Montford Hall Leicester

May 31 2009 8:00P De Montford Hall Leicester

Jun 4 2009 8:00P Heaton Park (supporting Oasis) Manchester

Jun 6 2009 8:00P Heaton Park (supporting Oasis) Manchester

Jun 7 2009 8:00P Heaton Park (supporting Oasis) Manchester

Jun 8 2009 6:00P HMV, 90 Market Street Manchester

Jun 9 2009 8:00P O2 Academy Newcastle

Jun 10 2009 8:00P Stadium of Light (supporting Oasis) Sunderland

Jun 12 2009 8:00P Millenium Stadium (supporting Oasis) Cardiff

Jun 13 2009 8:00P Oasis Swindon

Jun 14 2009 8:00P Spa Bridlington

Jun 16 2009 8:00P Caird Hall Dundee

Jun 17 2009 8:00P Murrayfield (supporting Oasis) Edinburgh

Jun 18 2009 8:00P O2 Academy Glasgow

Jun 22 2009 8:00P St Georges Market Belfast

Jun 24 2009 8:00P Rock City Nottingham

Jun 25 2009 8:00P University Liverpool

Jun 29 2009 8:00P O2 Academy Sheffield

Jun 30 2009 8:00P O2 Academy Manchester

Jul 2 2009 8:00P Guildhall Southampton

Jul 3 2009 8:00P Centre Newport

Jul 4 2009 8:00P Eden Sessions, Eden Project Cornwall

Jul 6 2009 8:00P Guildhall Portsmouth

Jul 7 2009 8:00P Corn Exchange Cambridge

Jul 9 2009 8:00P Wembley Stadium (supporting Oasis) London

Jul 11 2009 8:00P Wembley Stadium (supporting Oasis) London

Jul 12 2009 8:00P Wembley Stadium (supporting Oasis) London

Jul 16 2009 8:00P Brixton O2 Academy London

Jul 17 2009 8:00P Brixton O2 Academy London

Jul 22 2009 8:00P iTunes Festival - Roundhouse Camden London

Aug 24 2009 8:00P Civic Hall Wolverhampton

Aug 25 2009 8:00P Civic Hall Wolverhampton

It’s Memorial Day Weekend and everyone is starting to keep an eye out for their summer jam, the song that for most people will define the summer of 2009 for them, for better or for worse.

Enter Roman Candle, a breezy indie-rock group who enjoyed critical acclaim with their debut “Wee Hours.” They’ve returned with “Oh Tall Tree in the Ear,” which has the single “Eden was a Garden.”

It’s the first track of the new album and it opens with a Flaming Lips-sounding guitar strum, followed by lead singer/guitarist Skip Matteny going into a sort of rolling lyric: the kind that rolls so quick past you that you aren’t sure what he’s saying.

It doesn’t matter. The rhythm is easy and the perfect song to come in midway through the summer roadtrip, the point when you aren’t quite sure if the trip is going to be cool. Then this song comes on and you suddenly feel like you’re in an indie film and that the path you’re on is leading you to something crazy and memorable.

Much of the album feels the same way, injecting an easy lyric and sound and getting out before you realize what just happened (which also makes it the perfect roadtrip album since it reveals itslef through multiple listens.

And even though it’s early, there’s an optimistic feeling after listening to the entire thing that this is merely the beginning to a summer of worthy music.

Roman Candle “Eden was a Garden”

(though these are it for now, according to the band’s MySpace, I have to believe more shows are coming…)

May 26 2009 8:00P PASTE MAGAZINE and WOXY PRESENT: Roman Candle and The Deep Vibration at The Summit Columbus, Ohio

May 27 2009 8:00P PASTE MAGAZINE and WOXY PRESENT: Roman Candle and The Deep Vibration at Club Cafe Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Jun 20 2009 8:00P City Stages Birmingham, Alabama

Jun 25 2009 7:00P Turley Park - Sunset Series - SIU Carbondale, Illinois

The first thing that strikes you about Coldplay’s “LeftRightLeftRightLeft,” their live album that people can download for free off the band’s website, is the sound of the crowd. It comes in waves and seems to crash onto the stage, covering the band in aural adoration. And just as the cheers die down, the music swells, allowing Chris Martin’s voice to reach the top of the venue only to slowly fall back down again.

And then the crowd roars again.

As one might guess, the clapping and sing-a-longing happens with “Viva La Vida” (which has a surprising amount of bass in my Bose headphones) and for the first time, the song actually gets my heart thumping.

Maybe it’s the headphones and maybe it isn’t. All I know is that it feels like i’m in the crowd with this audience that is no doubt jumping up and down with wide smiles and eyes, squinting their eyes to see the band on stage, which must feel like miles away.

This image is heightened at the end of the song when the entire area is singing in unison the “OoohoohOOHS!” and clapping. I’ve been there, that moment when everything feels right at a show and a universal connectedness captures the crowd. It can be rare occurance and found in unexpected places…like a Coldplay show.

Whether it’s drummer William Champion singing “Death Will Never Conquer” or the crowd singing the chorus to “Fix You,” there was something special about this record.

It’s enough to make me want to reconsider Coldplay and wonder again why people hate them so much.

Because it isn’t about the sales, floating accusations of plagerism or ridiculous baby names. At the end of the day, it’s whether or not the band got you off, made you sit up and tilt your head to the side, as if that was a way to pour more music into your head.

It’s refreshing to hear a band dedicated an album about a certain area and not actually be from that area. So instead of getting songs about how rainy and depressing Portland, Oregon is from The Dimes, we get something soft and lush about Boston, Massachusetts.

Their one sheet describes them as being close to the sound to Death Cab for Cutie and says the band’s influences range from The Beatles to The Decemberists. If you like any of those bands mentioned, it’s almost a guarantee that you’ll dig this band.

And though I like those bands too, there’s something else that draws me toward The Dimes. I can’t tell you what it is exactly except that i’m writing this late on Sunday night after watching Breaking Bad because they made me sit up in bed.

The New England EP has four songs, one of which is the John Lennon cover “Watching the Wheels.”

As mentioned before, they have a familiar sound, which is apparent on “The Ballad of Winslow Homer” and could have been a B-side to a Wes Anderson film (it would have been played in full during the movie during the character’s “moment of clarity” scene).

The Dimes - The Ballad of Winslow Homer

Then there’s “Clara,” which sounds nothing like Ballad, and yet has the same kind of laid-back tone. Again, you feel like you’ve heard these guys before and though you can’t pinpoint where and how, it feels good, which makes you assume it was a good memory.

This is your rainy day music, the EP you have on that you will listen to in full over and over again, either because it’s calming or because you’re in your own personal Wes Anderson film and you’re just waiting for your moment to arrive. And when it does, at least you’ll have the right song lined up.

Though the concert tour appears to a bit light, these guys may be expanding their live shows soon.

May 29 2009 12:00P    Seattle University Seattle, Washington
Jun 5 2009 9:00P          Doug Fir Portland, Oregon
Jun 6 2009 8:00P          Crocodile Seattle, Washington

The Concert Stranger attends shows in NYC and, from time to time, reports on what he saw in the least amount of words possible because when people use too many “they just get in the way.” Here’s what he did in April:

3/31 Bow Wow @ Santos Party House

It was manic. The young ladies in attendance (your correspondent was in the minority being old and male) were screaming like it was the second coming of the Beatles- yikes. But I got it- Bow Wow has charisma to spare- and abs that made me seriously jealous. Bonus- long time Wow collaborator Jermanie Dupri cameo to start things off. This was one of those free “myspace secret shows” and people were lined up around the block- way more than Santos could accommodate- but I guess that’s the deal- intimate venues. My prediction- Bow Wow becomes a huge star- but not as a rapper.

Bow Wow “You Can Get It All”

4/8 Chris Cornell @ Webster Hall

Chris has taken a lot of heat for his most recent album Scream- a collaboration with Timbaland. But you know what- if you’re an artist- you can’t give a fuck what people think. Though I’ve always been a fan of Cornell’s music- I had never seen him live- in any incarnation- not sure why- guess it never worked out. I was in luck- he covered a lot of ground- playing a fair amount of the new record (which for the most part was politely received) and also plenty of Soundgarden/Audioslave material. The highlight- a four song solo acoustic break featuring Fell On Black Days, Black Hole Sun, Can’t Change Me and Like A Stone. The man’s voice is amazing; he howls like no one.

Chris Cornell “Scream”

4/9 The Flatlanders @ BB Kings

BB Kings is not my favorite NYC venue- they really jam you in and there is a $10 minimum per set- also it’s in Times Square- which even sans traffic- locals avoid like the swine flu. Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Joe Ely, and Butch Hancock- all great individually- together- unstoppable. They are confident, graceful, and have an amazing rapport that I imagine only a lifelong friendship can breed (each is now in their 60s). Early highlight- Eggs of your Chickens. Late Highlight - Baby Do you Love Me Still. Sorely missed - I Thought The Wreck Was Over. Who knows the next time these guys will be on tour together- catch them if you can. Opener Joe Pug deserves a mention as well- was not familiar with him- but his set made me want to be.

The Flatlanders “Ride to Heaven” @ BB Kings (found on Youtube and not taped by the Stranger)

4/16 Rhett Miller @ Le Poisson Rouge

I once interviewed Rhett Miller, and he told a great story about the song “Question”. Totally not doing it justice- but the gist was: he wrote the song in Paris- on the day he met his wife for the first time. But not for her- for a friend who had just gotten engaged. He didn’t tell the story this particular evening- but he did the second half of the song in French- a cool moment. (Fun Fact: For those of you non French speakers (including your correspondent) Le Poisson Rouge apparently means The Red Fish.) I’m gonna step out and say this: Rhett Miller is the most underrated songwriter working today. After a lifetime of Old 97’s shows- my expectations for Rhett’s solo set were low- how could one man live up to the fury and fun of four? I ate those expectations. Miller solo carried it above and beyond.

Rhett Miller “Question” (live in Boston…not from the Stranger’s show)

4/21 Asher Roth/Chester French @ Webster Hall

Asher Roth and openers Chester French both failed to sell your correspondent on their respective bags.

Chester French’s music video for “She Loves Everybody” is simple and great- watch it now.

No accounting for taste of course- but in person they never really made me feel like dancing- or like I was having fun- or even like I wanted to give someone a beat down. I give guitarist Maxwell Drummey credit for his crazy French wig though- it must have been very hot.

Side Note: The Stranger’s advice to young artists is this: DO NOT waste your time trying to hype the crowd. Especially as an opener. Especially in NYC. No one is there to see you. No one gives a shit about you. If we want to clap along/dance/snap- we will. Stop imploring us. Save your energy and win us over with your music/show. (PS- Chester French- you guys are by no means the worst offender)

I would imagine “I Love College” will be pumping from frat houses well into the distant future- but the book is still out on Asher Roth. Though it had its moments- uneven is probably the best characterization of the set. Asher’s freestyle (of sorts) extolling the virtues of organic food seemed out of place next to the numerous/continuous silly pot references/silly marijuana policy thoughts (hard to have it both ways). The backing band was tight- and the beats were solid- but Asher’s delivery was underwhelming. The set never gained momentum- even at it’s inevitable conclusion w/the hit single.

4/29 Manchester Orchestra @ Bowery Ballroom

If you read last month’s post- you know I’m a huge fan of Manchester Orchestra’s new record “Everything to Nothing”. I was a also a big fan of their previous record “I’m Like A Virgin Losing Child”. So it was great to see the guys playing all the material together- and despite the differences between the records- it meshed well- felt more like a progression than a departure. Energy was good- sound was good (as it always is at bowery). Good but not great- I’m not sure why…no encore? Could have used a couple of more songs- but I guess that speaks to it being pretty good eh?

Manchester Orchestra “I Can Barely Breathe” (at the Bowery show, not taped by the Stranger)

May looks promising- heading out to The Bamboozle this weekend- then there are some oldies but super goodies- John Prine, Leonard Cohen and X!

The night air is cool in Boston tonight and I’m listening to Matt Kanelos & The Smooth Maria for the fourth or fifth time tonight.

Music that starts off with a soft piano is always soothing, but there’s something different about Kanelos’ sound, and it may have a lot to do with the occasional breeze the enters the apartment.

It begins with the soft lyric “We’ll start in Babylon…” and continues with a rolling piano melody that slowly builds toward the end when Kanelos is now yelling that same opening line with an entire band backing him.

On multiple listens the song continues to surprise, though it feels completely natural for the song to end up where it does and makes me hungry for more.

“My tears, don’t mean a thing…”

It’s here where the song pushes forward and the sound begins to get louder with Kanelos repeating the opening lyric.

We were tipped off about the band from a friend of group’s, who also stated they will be playing their CD release party tonight at Le Poisson Rouge in NYC at  7pm, where you will most likely hear “Peacock Dance.”

I can’t tell you what the song is about, even after multiple listens, which is probably a good thing. Music that reveals itself too easily is like the one-dimensional date, where there is no mystery to the person and it inevitably ends in you feeling you just wasted three hours listening to someone ramble on about their college days.

This is different and for now I’ll take Kanelos’ advice and start in Babylon.