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Photos: Jason Isbell + The 400 Unit :: November 21, 2009

Modern Skirts / Skybox at Project LodgeFriday, Nov 20 2009 - 7:30pm

Have you been to Project Lodge (817 East Johnson)? If so, you know what an intimate music environment it provides. This bill looks to be a lot of fun.

Modern Skirts is out of Athens GA. Pop-flavored tunes with catchy hooks, nice vocal harmonies, and interesting changes. I think this will be a fun group to see at the Lodge.



Opening will be Skybox from Chicago ... "careening from Bowie glam to Flaming Lips exuberance without bothering to apologize." Sounds cool to me. They will soon be releasing their sophomore LP - Morning After Cuts - recorded here in Madison at Smart Studios. You can listen to some of their music at this stream.

Show starts with Skybox at 7:30p, and Modern Skirts expected to start around 9pm. Only $7!

Have fun. See Live Music.

Photos: Old Crow Medicine Show :: November 8, 2009

Upcoming Show: Old Crow Medicine Show - The Barrymore 11/8

Nashville, Tennessee old-time string band Old Crow Medicine Show makes their way back to Madison's Barrymore Theatre. Last time they came through town I was there and it was SOLD OUT. The crowd hung on to every single note and applauded every down home instrumental jam - can't forget to mention the Wagon Wheel sing along. Ketch Secor (Fiddle, Harmonica and Vocals) and the boys always manage to pull in an audience with rousing stage antics and top notch musical skills.



The band has performed at such major music festivals as Bonnaroo, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and the New Orleans Jazz Festival. Their 2007 live-performance itinerary included shows in Boone, NC, Seattle, Lawrence, KS, Arcata, CA, Knoxville, TN, Nashville and Boulder, CO, as well as overseas in London and Amsterdam. The band has also toured the UK several times, including an appearance at the Cambridge Folk Festival and on the BBC show Later with Jools Holland.

O.C.M.S. is the type of band that doesn’t come around that often and should not be missed.

Show Information:

Barrymore Theatre
2090 Atwood Avenue
Madison, WI 53704
Phone: (608) 241-8864
Showtime: 8 pm
Price: $26 adv / $28 dos

On Sale Date: Fri. 10/2 at 10am

Where to Buy Tickets: Tickets available at www.barrymorelive.com or call the box office at 608.241.8633.Fans do not pay service fees if they purchase tix at Barrymore Box office

Preview: The Fiery FurnacesComing to Majestic Theatre, Nov 13, 2009

The Fiery Furnaces will be returning to Madison on November 13, 2009 to play the Majestic Theatre.

The Fiery Furnaces is a musical vehicle for Eleanor and Matthew Friedberger. These siblings are originally from my own hometown - Chicago, but are now based in New York City. Joining them in this incarnation of the band is Jason Loewenstein on bass and Robert D’Amico on drums, which is the same line-up that we saw in 2007 at the Annex.

They have recently recently released their eighth album - I’m Going Away. I've been listening to this for the past month or so and really dig it. It is probably the most "accessible" (least complex) album they've released to date. But that is not saying a lot! This band has more musical ideas in one track than most bands do in an entire album. Relentless tempo and style changes are hallmarks of their compositions, which are also lyrically rich and complex. And that character is reflected in this album also.

Word has it that the current tour includes no keyboards! Instead, Matthew is playing guitar exclusively. Now, I've got mixed feelings about this because it is rare to see a band led by a pianist of the talent displayed by Matthew Freidberger. On the other hand, I'm curious to see what he does with an electric guitar! Anyway, I promise an experience that you will not soon relive.

Here's a video for a track from the new LP:

The Fiery Furnaces - Charmaine Champagne from Thrill Jockey Records on Vimeo.

I will confess that on initial listen, this song was not one of my favorites on the new album. I like it, but there are four or five others tracks that just slay me. Nonethess, Charmaine Champagne still managed to worm its way into my head and stay there! It's now in heavy rotation on my sound system.

Hope you can make it out for this one!
- Mister Bill

Past Coverage:
madisonmusicreview.com - Photo Review from The Annex 10.11.2007

Pretty Lights!

Regular visitors to Madison Music Review know how much we enjoy Pretty Lights. He had the High Noon jumping when he was in town last June. We saw him again at 10KLF with his new and ultra-cool LED background... And we are very excited to see him again at the Majestic Theatre on Saturday October 24.

Curious about the music? Well he has continued his tradition of providing free downloads of his albums (yes, entire albums!) with his latest - Passing By Behind Your Eyes - which dropped on October 6. You can get it at prettylightsmusic.com


Here's a little demo you might enjoy of Pretty Lights playing with his Monome 128



Now I ask you to look at this tour schedule, and I advise you to get your tickets early!

PRETTY LIGHTS ON TOUR
08.09.09 – The National – Richmond, VA **SOLD OUT**
09.02.09 – Lyric Theatre – Oxford, MS **SOLD OUT**
09.03.09 – The Sky Bar – Auburn, AL **SOLD OUT**
09.04.09 – Athens Arena – Bogart, GA **SOLD OUT**
09.05.09 – Belly Up – Aspen, CO **SOLD OUT**
09.12.09 – Trinumeral Festival – Horseshoe, NC
09.18.09 – Symbiosis Gathering – Groveland, CA
09.21.09 – Bama Theatre – Tuscaloosa, AL **SOLD OUT**
09.23.09 – Rhythm &Brews – Chattanooga, TN **SOLD OUT**
09.24.09 – Amos’ Southland – Charlotte, NC **SOLD OUT**
09.26.09 – Diesel – Wilmington, NC **SOLD OUT**
10.01.09 – Fox Theatre Boulder – Boulder, CO **SOLD OUT**
10.02.09 – Aggie Theatre – Ft. Collins, CO **SOLD OUT**
10.03.09 – Ogden Theatre – Denver, CO **SOLD OUT**
10.12.09 – Belly Up Tavern – Solana Beach, CA
10.14.09 – Key Club – West Hollywood, CA**SOLD OUT**
10.15.09 – The Independent – San Francisco, CA **SOLD OUT**
10.16.09 – Nocturnum – Eureka, CA**SOLD OUT**
10.17.09 – Nectar Lounge – Seattle, WA**SOLD OUT**
10.18.09 – Crystal Ballroom – Portland, OR
10.21.09 – The Varsity Theater – Minneapolis, MN
10.22.09 – Miramar Theatre – Milwaukee, WI
10.23.09 – Park West – Chicago, IL
10.24.09 – Majestic Theatre – Madison, WI

Dark Party will get the evening started. You will like them too!

Cheers,
Mister B.

Review: Built To Spill - There Is No Enemy

The dominant meme in the rock press when discussing Built to Spill is: DOUG MARTSCH -- INDIE GUITAR GOD. It’s true Martsch can conjure some wonderfully melodic cliché-free solos, and nobody is more deft when it comes to creating texture through the layering of guitars. Nonetheless, it’s always been songs that set Built to Spill apart from the pack. In the 90’s when the band were creating masterpieces like Perfect from Now On and There’s Nothing Wrong with Love, songs such as “Car” and “Randy Described Eternity” poured forth from the speakers and into the listener’s brain, seducing and delighting with magnificent melodies and clever arrangements. The splendid guitars and enigmatic lyrics were the icing on the cake.

Which brings us to There Is No Enemy. Like its predecessor You in Reverse, this is Built to Spill sounding ordinary -- writing songs that anyone could have written… songs that I could have written. What passes for melody are simple little snippets of repeating verse that float over the chords. The chorus’s are a bit stronger, but still sound alarmingly predictable. In short, the songs don’t go anywhere, rather they waft about only to recede into the ether leaving nary a trace in your psyche. Some reviewers have commented on the strength of the lyrics, but for me, if the music isn’t happening, the lyrics, however brilliant, don’t register.

There are a few moment where the album manages to break out of the mode. One is the short, punkish “Pat”. With it's quirky arrangement and buzzing guitars, the band cuts loose, sounding energized and in their element. The other is the slow, heavy dirge “Life’s a Dream” which conjures Zeppelin at their darkest.

The album doesn’t necessarily suck -- to paraphrase Barack Obama’s description of Hilary Clinton during the primary it’s ‘likeable enough’. But a lot of bands do ‘likeable enough’. Built to Spill was always so much more.

Alex Szczech
October 15, 2009

Tom Waits - Free Tracks from "Glitter and Doom Live"

Preview of the new Tom Waits album, Glitter and Doom Live, arriving November 24th. Check out the first 8 songs for free, including a roaring version of “Get Behind the Mule” and a slinky reinvention of “Singapore,” and if you love the album as much as we think you will, you can pre-order it HERE.

Review: The Flaming Lips - Embryonic

"I wish I could back...back in time" - are the words in which Wayne Coyne passionately pleads on the track Evil and this is what The Flaming Lips accomplish with Embryonic. They manage to find their psychedic roots; what they did and still do best. This comes off like it was released somewhere between Transmissions From The Satellite Heart and Clouds Taste Metallic. Don't get me wrong , I loved Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots but it had a great deal of clean, controlled studio tricks and had been touched up by David Friedmen's brush. Friedman is behind the controls again here with Scott Booker and The Lips but the sound is so different. This is raw; at times sounding like a live 70's era electric Miles Davis and other times sounding like something from Pink Floyd's Meddle. Once a while an album will instantly stop you in your tracks and keep you there. And for me, Embryonic is this album. If I had to give my pick for album of the year already...well...you know.

At first listen, I was so moved by the rawness and how dark and spacious the songs played out [track #9 "Powerless"]. This "loose feeling" plays out through both discs and pulls the listener though space and time with standout tracks like "Watching the Planets", "Silver Trembling Hands", "Evil, "Convinced Of The Hex" and “Worm Mountain”.

Don't waste your time with the standard realease of this lp - spend the money and get the Embryonic [LIMITED EDITION]. It includes: 2CD set with over 70+ minutes of music! Bonus audio DVD of the full album (The 96k 24 bit audio has 256 times more resolution than a standard CD which provides greater detail reproducing the music in it's full dynamic range. You can now experience exactly what the artist and producer hear in the studio.); Custom 'hard-cover book' with 24 pages of full color art, lyrics and band photos. This is a limited edition run that was custom designed by the Flaming Lips.

Dinosaur Jr. @ The Majestic - 10/13 8PM

In 1991 a discovered Dinosaur Jr.'s, fourth album, Green Mind (on Blanco y Negro/Sire). I was initially captured by the cover; a stunning photograph, called "Priscilla", from 1969, by Joseph Szabo and taken from his book of photographs Almost Grown. At first listen I was blown away at the amazing guitar work and song craft of J. Masics. This happened to be the band's first release after bassist Lou Barlow's (from Sebadoh and The Folk Implosion) departure, as well as the first released by a major label. Barlow is now back in the band (since 2005), alongside the original drummer, Murph. And they have put out some great recordings since then. Their latest and critically acclaimed, Farm (Jagjaguwar) is reminiscent of Where You Been (1993) and even Green Mind (1991). Pick it up at one of your preferred indie record stores or at the show.

Since Green Mind, I have seen them live a few times; once even opening for Son Volt in Milwaukee. I can honestly say that you will not be disappointed and even blown away by this band. By the way, they like their amps pushed to the limit. Fans of Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Jesus and Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine will dig this show.

OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW Coming to the Barrymore 11/8

OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW
Sunday, November 8, 2009 at 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $26.00 Advance/$28.00 Day Of Show



Old Crow Medicine Show (OCMS) have come full circle playing their own brand of American roots music with a rock and roll attitude. The quintet met in New York in 1998 and hit the road, traveling city to city in a van and busking in the streets. They eventually settled for a year in North Carolina, where they ran into a bit of good fortune while playing in front of a local pharmacy to an impressed Doc Watson; the folk icon promptly scheduled the band to play at his MerleFest.

Soon after, OCMS relocated to Nashville and found themselves gracing the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, opening for Dolly Parton, touring with Merle Haggard and regularly appearing on NPR's A Prairie Home Companion. They caught the attention of Nettwerk Records in 2003 and signed on to release their debut album O.C.M.S, which they recorded at RCA's legendary Studio B and Woodland Sound Studio with producer/guitarist David Rawlings (Gillian Welch, Robyn Hitchcock) at the helm. O.C.M.S was released in 2004 to critical acclaim; the New Yorker said of the album, "Heartbreaking, plunky ballads and unfastened fiddle tunes charged with youthful vigor,* while the Village Voice predicted, *Fame will soon lift her skirt for the band."

Their sophomore album, Big Iron World, was released in August 2006 and combined traditional American standards (including Woody Guthrie's "Union Maid") with OCMS originals that blended American roots, folk, blues, gospel, bluegrass and a little bit of gritty rock. Again produced by Rawlings, the album caught the attention of critics from Billboard to Vanity Fair and the first single, a cover of the Rolling Stones' "Down Home Girl," quickly became the #2 most added song at Triple A radio. Combined, the two albums have gone on to sell over 300,000 units.

Today, OCMS prepare to release their third Netterk album called TENNESSEE PUSHER in September 08, this time teaming up with legendary producer Don Was (Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, The Rolling Stones). The album was recorded earlier this year at the famed A&M Studios (now called Henson Sound Studios) and is made up of 13 infectious tracks, 12 of which are Old Crow originals and one American standard called "Always Lift Him Up* by Blind Alfred Reed.

OCMS can attribute much of their success to their relentless touring schedule. Between headlining shows and countless festivals (Bonnaroo, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, New Orleans Jazz Festival, etc), the band is constantly on the road and thrives off of their fans and live shows. They have made a name for themselves as energetic performers with an unbridled spirit.

Almost Time for The New Standards

I'm really looking forward to seeing The New Standards on Friday night (Oct 2 2009) at Restaurant Magnus. This happens to be one of my favorite restaurants in Madison, and I've had many wonderful music-filled evenings in their intimate lounge. I also have a fond regard for The Suburbs from some hot shows in Madison back in the day, so it will be good to see Chan Poling once again.

"To those who came of age in the 70s or later, a standard isn't necessarily a perfumed and ribboned love song by Jerome Kern. It might be Becks The New Pollution, Roxy Musics Oh Yeah or Mott the Hooples All the Young Dudes. These are some of the chestnuts that warm the brooding hearts of the New Standards, a year-old chamber-punk trio that has fast become one of its native Minnesotas favorite lounge acts. The group takes songs you may have been too stoned to fully appreciate in the past and lays their poetry bare; the raucousness of the originals is replaced by a stark acoustic setting of piano, vibes and drums." TIME OUT NEW YORK

Here's a taste of what you might expect.

Our friends in Chicago and Minneapolis can see them too:

Oct. 1 – CHICAGO – The Hideout
Oct. 2 – MADISON - Magnus
Oct. 3 – MINNEAPOLIS – Cedar Cultural Center

Links of interest
A NIGHT OUT WITH: The New Standards; The Unusual, With a Twist
myspace.com/thenewstandards

Forward Music Festival Review: The Antlers 9.19.2009

Needing to care for my 12-week puppy dog kept me from fully immersing myself in the Forward Music Festival this year. But over the three days, I still managed to see Richard Buckner, A Night in the Box, Gentleman Loser, El Valiente, Collection of Colonies of Bees, Cougar, This Bright Apocalypse, Maps & Atlases, Low and The Antlers.

The highlight for me was certainly the show at the High Noon Saloon by The Antlers and Low. There was a good size crowd and the sound was great.

I'm a fan of Low, have many of their recordings, and was anticipating their set since the festival line-up was announced. What proved to be a real bonus was the fantastic opening set by The Antlers. This band - composed of frontman Peter Silberman, drummer Michael Lerner and Darby Cicci on keys - expressed their sense of honor to share the stage, but I thought it was really an inspired pairing.

All three of these musicians have great chops, and their music is dramatic and dynamic. They pull it off superbly live. I was up close - in the "zone of participation" as we refer to it at MMR - so I clicked off a few shots with my little camera.








Hope you had a chance to see them! I've since been continuing to enjoy their most recent album - Hospice. It is recommended listening and re-listening.

See more MMR photo coverage from Forward Music Festival here.

More coverage of The Antlers at FMF and an interview by Seizure Chicken

The Stones Roses - Waterfall

If you havent heard already, The Stones Roses have just remastered their 1989 classic self titled release. It sounds "cleaned up", with more mids in the mix - the audio levels have been lifted up to 2009 standards but not where they are too compressed. The bass line on 'I Want to Be Adored' is now mixed to the front where it should have been.

This video is a great version of 'Waterfall'. Be sure to check the dude standing behind the guitar cabinet running John Squires effects loop. -fS

Flaming Lips on Colbert tonite!"Embryonic" News

We get a lot of press releases. Sometimes they are interesting. This one is particularly timely. Attendez-vous!

The Flaming Lips will appear on Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report on September 16^th, which airs that night at 10:30 p.m. Central.

The LIPS’ brand-new double-album, EMBRYONIC will be available online in its entirety for a limited-time only at http://www.colbertnation.com/ immediately after Wednesday night's show through Monday, September 21. This will be the first complete airing of the album in advance of release and the first time The Colbert Report has presented any album by an artist.

THE LIPS are appearing on Colbert to spread the word about EMBRYONIC, which will be released by Warner Bros. Records on October 13^th. This marks their first full studio set in three years following their Grammy Award-winning AT WAR WITH THE MYSTICS. EMBRYONIC, THE LIPS’ 12^th album, was recorded in Fredonia, NY, and Oklahoma City, OK, with studio whiz and general co-conspirator Dave Fridmann and just may be their most sonically adventurous and compositionally vernal form of musical expression ever.

EMBRYONIC will be released in multiple configurations: a standard CD, featuring 18 tracks, and a deluxe package that includes two CD’s (18 tracks plus a bonus audio DVD of the full album) and a custom hardcover book featuring 24 pages of full-color art, lyrics, and band photos. This deluxe package is a limited-edition run and has been custom-designed by THE FLAMING LIPS.

The album will also be released on vinyl with a single gatefold jacket that includes two colored LP’s (one blue and one yellow). A CD version of the album will be included with the vinyl package.

THE LIPS will also release EMBRYONIC in two Direct to Consumer packages available only via the band’s online store at http://www.flaminglips.com/. The deluxe DTC package, which will be sold as a digipack inside of a custom “fur” box, includes two CDs, plus a bonus 96k 24bit-super resolution audio DVD (256 times higher resolution rate than standard CD audio), and an exclusive album artwork lithograph. A very limited number of these prints will be autographed by the band.

A super MEGA Deluxe [emphasis added ;)] vinyl edition will also be made available in very limited quantities this coming winter 2009. A detailed explanation will be forthcoming. Keep an eye on the LIPS website for info.

Forward Music Fest: Saturday

I'm very excited to see Low at the High Noon Saloon on Saturday (6 pm) as part of the Forward Music Festival.

Low was formed in 1993 and is an originator of what has come to be called "slowcore." In the face of post-punk grunge, Alan Sparhawk wondered what would happen if they turned down the volume. Low's arrangements are spare but intense. Their harmonies are haunting. And they can take a song from a quiet hush to an explosion of sound.

I've only seen Low once, a few years ago here in Madison, touring behind the fantastic album "The Great Destroyer." Their performance was really impressive, and I've been longing to see them again.

The Antlers will be starting the Saturday line-up at the High Noon (5pm). If you've not heard of them, you probably will. They have been garnering major buzz, particularly around their new release "Hospice." Pitchfork named The Antlers one of the "best new bands" and gave their album high marks.

Robin Hilton, with NPR's All Songs Considered, had this to say:

"Hospice is an epic but intimate album of astonishing beauty, as well as one of the most moving, heart-wrenching set of songs I've had the pleasure of hearing. It evolves and unfolds majestically, soaring from hushed moments to grand, cage-rattling swells of shredded guitar noise."

I know that I'm looking forward to seeing them live.

This should be a great bill. Hope to see you there!

Links of Interest:
Low Set To Mesmerize Forward Music Fest Audiences
This preview on Channel3000.com includes a great interview with Alan Sparhawk.

Forward Festival Kick-Off: Thursday Plans

I'm kicking off my Forward Music Fest experience this year with Richard Buckner and Blake Thomas at the Majestic Theatre on Thursday Sept 17th, starting at 7pm.

I first saw Richard Buckner at the High Noon Saloon in early 2007 backed up by The Six Parts Seven. I became an immediate fan of both that night.

Earlier this year, Richard returned to the High Noon Saloon for a solo show. He basically sat down started playing and didn't stop until the show was over. It was a simply beautiful performance.

To me Buckner is the epitome of "alt-country." His voice is pure country. But there is nothing cheesy about his emotional or musical expression.

His songwriting is real deep, and I love his rhythms and melodies. His music is melancholy and that soothes me. Trust me, you won't see any line dancing here.




Hope you can make it out for this artist, and get your fest off to a great start.

Madison's own Blake Thomas starts things off.

Forward Music Festival Schedule

I had a really great time last year at the inaugural Forward Music Festival. I spent my time bumping on foot between the downtown venues on Friday night and saw lots of bands that I had not heard before. And that's what is so sweet about music fests. One ticket provides access to lots of music. You can't really go wrong.

In this case, it's a low cost ticket at that - single day passes are only $15 for Thursday, $25 for Friday/Saturday, or $45 for all three days! Such a deal. Buy advance tickets here.

Thursday, September 17th
Majestic Theatre - 6 pm
* Richard Buckner
* Blake Thomas

High Noon Saloon - 7 pm
* Megafaun
* Juniper Tar
* All Tiny Creatures
* Cedarwell

The Frequency - 7:30 pm
* Gentleman Loser
* Dark Clan
* The Atomica Project
* Glassghosts

Majestic Theatre - 9:30 pm
* Reverend Peyton & His Big Damn Band
* Davila 666
* Gold
* A Night in the Box

Friday, September 18th
Capitol Theatre - 4:30 pm
* Blueheels

The Frequency - 4:30 pm
* Tyrone Wells
* Denison Witmer
* Brooke Wagonner
* John Statz

High Noon Saloon - 4:30 pm
* Gomeroke

Majestic Theatre - 5 pm
* Dan Wilson
* Jeremy Messersmith

Orpheum Stage Door - 5:30 pm
* Between the Trees
* Farewell
* Punchline
* Action Item
* Start From Scratch
* Invade Rome

Orpheum Lobby - 6:30
* YACHT
* Rory Kane
* Das Racist
* Baaad Boiz
* Purple Crush
* French Horn Rebellion
* Problem Child
* Terrior Bute
* The New Loud
* Pezzetino

Overture Rotunda - 6:30 pm
* The Daredevil Christopher Wright
* The Wars of 1812
* Meridene
* We Are the Willows
* The Cloud Hymn

Project Lodge - 7 pm
* Daniel and the Lion
* Nathaniel Rateliff and the Wheel

Capitol Theater - 8:00
* Atlas Sound
* Cougar
* Collections of Colonies of Bees
* El Valiente

High Noon Saloon - 8 pm
* Ra Ra Riot
* Sleeping in the Aviary
* Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s
* Flatbear
* Princeton

The Frequency - 9 pm
* Decibully
* Icarus Himself
* Early Day Miners
* Jeremiah Nelson & the Achilles Heel

Majestic Theatre - 9 pm
* Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe

The Corral Room - 10 pm
* Worrier
* Direct Hit
* Team Band

Orpheum Stage Door - 10:30 pm
* Delta 9
* Caustic
* Cyanotic
* Los Bastardos Guapo

Saturday, September 19th
The Frequency - 4 pm
* Pronto
* Filligar
* The Pomegranates
* Crane Your Swan Neck
* Little Red Wolf

High Noon Saloon - 5 pm
* Low
* The Antlers

The Inferno - 5 pm
* Parasite Twin
* Captive Six
* CTRL
* Sensuous Enemy
* Null Device
* Alter Der Ruine
* The Gothsicles
* Iszoloscope

The Corral Room - 5:30 pm
* Maps and Atlases
* Nuclear Woods
* The Hussy

Project Lodge - 5:30 pm
* Laura Barrett
* Joe Pug
* The Chairs

Orpheum Stage Door - 6:30 pm
* Fruit Bats
* Iran
* Kevin Warner
* BLK JKS
* Occidental Bros. Dance Band Intl.
* This Bright Apocalypse

Overture Hall - 7 pm [This event requires a separate ticket!]
* Andrew Bird
* Pale Young Gentlemen

Corral Room - 9 pm
* Wavves
* Ganglians
* Eat Skull
* Blackwell Beauties

The Frequency - 9 pm
* Garaj Mahal
* The Hue

High Noon Saloon - 9 pm
* Solid Gold
* Exceptor
* Salem
* Peaking Lights
* Savoir Adore
* DJ Real Jaguar

Monte MontgomeryComing to High Noon SaloonSaturday, October 17, 2009

I hadn't heard of Monte Montgomery before, but when I watched this video I knew I had to get to this show. Hendrix' Little Wing has always been a favorite of mine, and this "acoustic" version is pretty amazing.

Monte was named by Guitar Player magazine in 2004 as one of "The Top 50 All-Time Greatest Guitarists." He also won the "Best Acoustic Guitar Player" award at the SXSW Festival’s Austin Music Awards seven years in a row (1998-2004), the only artist to have ever done so. It's not hard to see why.

He shares the bill with Backyard Tire Fire. Show starts at 9pm. 21+ Only $15!

Should be a fun night. Hope to see you there!

Circulatory System - Signal Morning (2009)

Coming soon is an album that I have been anticipating for about 8 years now...seriously. It is by the band, Circulatory System. As some of you already might know most of the members of the band used to be in Olivia Tremor Control; another amazing band that ended in 2000. Those members created Circulatory System in 2001 and have not put out a release since then. Signal Morning is the second studio album by these psychedelic rockers. It is to be released September 8, 2009 on the Cloud Recordings label. It is rumored that the album leaked to the internet in late May.

Here is a Track listing...

All tracks composed by Will Cullen Hart
Side One
1. "Woodpecker Greeting Worker Ant" - 3:22
2. "Rocks and Stones" - 2:42
3. "This Morning (We Remembered Everything)" - 2:43
4. "Tiny Concerts" - 2:04
5. "Electronic Diversion" - :47
6. "Overjoyed" - 2:29
7. "The Breathing Universe" - 1:09
8. "News From The Heavenly Loom" - :23
9. "The Spinning Continuous" - 5:36

Side Two
1. "I You We" - 1:31
2. "Blasting Through" - 4:15
3. "Solid Forms Dissolving" - 4:44
4. "Gold Will Stay" - 3:37
5. "The Frozen Lake / The Symmetry" - 2:38
6. "Until Moon Medium Hears The Message" - 3:17
7. "(Drifts)" - 2:04
8. "Signal Morning" - 2:54

TOUR DATES
Sept. 7 - Chapel Hill, NC - Nightlight *
Sept. 8 - Philadelphia, PA - Kung Fu Necktie *
Sept. 9 - New York, NY - Le Poisson Rouge *
Sept. 10 - Worcester, MA - The Grind at Clark University *
Sept. 11 - Purchase, NY - The Student Center at SUNY Purchase *
Sept. 12 - Monticello, NY - All Tomorrow’s Parties Festival
Sept. 14 - Boston, MA - YMCA Theatre *
Sept. 15 - Geneseo, NY - Union Plaza at SUNY Geneseo *
Sept. 16 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop *
Sept. 17 - Pontiac, MI - Pike Room *
Sept. 18 - Chicago, IL - Chopin Theatre *
Sept. 19 - Lexington, KY - Al’s Bar *
Sept. 20 - Knoxville, TN - The Pilot Light *
Oct. 10 - Athens, GA - 40 Watt (with FAUST)
* = with Pipes You See, Pipes You Don't and Nesey Gallons opening

R.E.M. Live at the Olympia

R.E.M. will release Live At The Olympia in Dublin on Oct 27, 2009 (Warner Bros.) The two-CD set features 39 songs from the band’s “working rehearsals” for their 2008 album Accelerate.

The material was tested over five nights before capacity Dublin crowds, and this release presents different incarnations of the songs before the final Accelerate versions. The band also performed many fan favorites from their early albums too.

Guitarist Peter Buck characterized these sessions as their “experiment in terror:”

“Every second we were playing something we didn't know all that well. Which was kind of good — there were all kinds of terror elements going on during that show."

This looks like it will be a good recording to add to the collection.

I saw this video and thought I'd share it. I can only imagine how much fun it was to be at these shows. Hope you enjoy it too!

Living Well Is The Best Revenge

Photos: 2009 Madison Roots Festival

The weather was perfect for the third annual Madison Roots Festival, held this year at Capital Brewery... We arrived a bit late, but still in time to catch the set by Cory Chisel & the Wandering Sons.


When I last saw Bettye Lavette, she was on a side stage at the Madison Blues Festival. She almost stole that show. However, Al Green was the headliner ... and he was incredible.



Bettye has been performing for 48 years and many regard her as the greatest soul singer performing today... I can believe that. The lady sings with a great deal of passion.




Curious what people are talking about? Check out her rendition of "Love Reign O'er Me" in honor of The Who at The Kennedy Center.

The Willy Porter Band closed the fest in good ol' roots rock fashion.

Vitamin D - Dave Adler of The Gomers

Pretty Lights

Pretty Lights just announced his Fall 2009 tour plans. We last caught him at 10KLF and he just tore the place up... A favorite set for many!

Derrick Vincent Smith will be joined on this tour by live drummer Cory Eberhard as well as the sweet new video and lighting rig. Catch him, if you can...

08.29.09 – The National – Richmond, VA
09.02.09 – Lyric Theatre – Oxford, MS *
09.03.09 – The Sky Bar – Auburn, AL *
09.04.09 – Athens Arena – Bogart, GA *
09.05.09 – Belly Up – Aspen, CO @
09.12.09 – Trinumeral Festival – Horseshoe, NC
09.18.09 – Symbiosis Gathering – Groveland, CA
09.21.09 – Bama Theatre – Tuscaloosa, AL
09.23.09 – Rhythm & Brews – Chattanooga, TN
09.26.09 – Diesel – Wilmington, NC
10.02.09 – Aggie Theatre – Ft. Collins, CO
10.03.09 – Odgen Theatre – Denver, CO +
10.12.09 – Belly Up Tavern – Solana Beach, CA R
10.14.09 – Key Club – West Hollywood, CA R
10.15.09 – The Independent – San Francisco – CA R
10.16.09 – Nocturnum – Eureka, CA #R
10.17.09 – Nectar Lounge – Seattle, WA #R
10.18.09 – Crystal Ballroom – Portland, OR #R
10.21.09 – The Varsity Theater – Minneapolis, MN X
10.22.09 – Miramar Theatre – Milwaukee, WI X
10.23.09 – Park West – Chicago, IL D
10.24.09 – Majestic Theatre – Madison, WI D
10.25.09 – Bluebird Nightclub – Bloomington, IN D
10.27.09 – Headliners Music Hall – Louisville, KY D
10.28.09 – Exit/In – Nashville, TN D
10.29.09 – The Valarium – Knoxville, TN D
10.30.09 – The Orange Peel – Asheville, NC D
10.31.09 – Ann Street Shed – Charleston, SC
11.03.09 – Crowbar – Tampa, FL A
11.04.09 – The White Room – Miami, FL A
11.05.09 – Engine Room – Tallahassee, FL A
11.07.09 – House of Blues – New Orleans, LA A
11.10.09 – Granada Theater – Dallas, TX A
11.11.09 – La Zona Rosa – Austin, TX A GA
11.12.09 – George’s Majestic Lounge – Fayetteville, AR G
11.13.09 – Newby’s – Memphis, TN G
11.14.09 – The Masquerade – Atlanta, GA G
11.17.09 – Cat’s Cradle – Carrboro, NC G
11.18.09 – 9:30 Club – Washington DC G
11.19.09 – Fillmore NY @ Irving Plaza – New York, NY G
11.20.09 – The Note – West Chester, PA G
11.21.09 – Paradise Rock Club – Boston, MA G

* w/ Emancipator
@ w/ Savoy
+ w/ Lifesavas
R w/ DJ Rootz
# w/ Chicharones
X w/ Prepschool
D w/ Dark Party
A w/ Alex B
G w/ Gramatik

Links of interest:
Past MMR Preview

Decemberist Fans - Take Note!

Due to strong demand, THE DECEMBERISTS show scheduled at the Orpheum Theatre on August 5 has been moved across the street to Overture Hall.

Everything else remains the same. Tickets are general admission, $26 advance, $28 day of show. Doors are at 6:30 and the show starts at 7:30 with an opening set by Heartless Bastards.

Tickets are available at the Overture Center Box Office, charge by phone at 608.258. 4141, or online at www.overturecenter.com.

Remembering Cafe Montmartre

According to a press release sent out last night by True Endeavours, Cafe Montmartre is closing. The bistro and music club on East Mifflin has long been seeking a buyer that would also take on the venues hundreds of thousands in debt.

Madison Music Review crew witnessed some great shows there.

Check out the links of artists below to view photos and reviews from a couple memorable Momo shows...

Mark Olson (from The Jayhawks) - Matthew Dear (M.Dear's Big Hands)