Frightened Rabbit
Took the wifey out the other night to see the mighty Frightened Rabbit at The Mohawk, my favorite venue here in Austin. While I've plugged them multiple times before, really more should be said (like that they are playing a free show at the very same venue on 6/24).
Live, Frightened Rabbit are slightly noisier than I would have expected. Not annoyingly so, just less clean than the recordings. This adds massively to the "upbeat droney" feel they create. I know that's an odd phrase, but their live show woke me up to the fact that they are one of few bands that are really masters of a unique rhythm. The Wedding Present were masters of the guitar chug. Orange Juice were masters of the jangle. Bands like The Warlocks do a great slow drone. But, few have done so well as Frightened Rabbit at creating a repetitive droney feel while still having such blatantly pop melodies (I know everybody is thinking, "What about the Velvet Underground?!?!?"; well, their rock rarely rolled like this).
Add to the feel of the music a lyrical trip through the usual subjects of love/loss/heartbreak that has an "of the times" grip on complete transparency and detail. It's completely romantic in that non-Hallmark way ("I'll turn off the TV, it's killing us we never speak; turn off the lights so we can see; we will waltz across the carpet; 1-2-3-2-2-3."). Pick up "The Midnight Organ Fight". It comes highly highly recommended.
(Funny side note: The Texas Democrats had their convention this week in Austin. While my wife and I were walking up Red River to The Mohawk, we passed this Irish bar (I forget the name of it) that was having a Hillary rally (a day late people) that was rather desolate. Then, at Club Deville, we noticed there was a huge Obama party going on (it's an outdoor venue). Two creepy moments: (1) Electronic music was blaring from the sound system with "Yes We Can" speech excerpts dubbed over it again and again and again. Weird. (2) There were about 40 people line dancing. Yes, line dancing. Mind you, this is no Texas country bar. I saw British Sea Power at this place about two months ago. Apparently the Democrats aren't quite as young and hip as this wish they were.)
Frightened Rabbit - "Modern Leper".
Frightened Rabbit - "Old Old Fashioned".
Frightened Rabbit - "Good Arms vs Bad Arms".
A Century Removed : The Cure (2nd Peel Session)
Nearly ten months later, I'm back with my 2nd installment (first here) of the "A Century Removed" series, this time featuring The Cure's 2nd Peel Session. And, "why bother?", you might ask? Great question.
First of all, The Cure are playing Austin TX tomorrow night. Seeing as it's a Sunday, I'm not going. Yeah, I'm religious. It's a good thing. Besides, it's my niece's graduation weekend, so family trumps.
Second, last week I stumbled upon a version of an early Cure song that I've never heard (and let it be known that if I were forced to sit down and decide upon my all-time favorite band, I'd answer with 'The Cure' after about four seconds).
So, some history. The story goes that, apparently after the distribution to the press of their debut album "Three Imaginary Boys" (plus the white label of "Grinding Halt", reviewed by Ian Penman), music journalist Paul Morley (who actually did write a great book called "Nothing" that oddly compared/contrasted Ian Curtis's suicide with Morley's own father's) wrote one of his typically wordy and pedantic reviews (which thanks to the infinite coolness of the internet, you can actually read here). Using such phrases as "most of the time it's a voice catching its breath, a cautiously primitive guitar riff, toy drumming and a sprightly bass", Morley was less than impressed by the new band's first long player (which, while not their best, was still really good and showed massive promise for Smith as a songwriter).
Some time later, The Cure delivered their musical/lyrical response to Morley (and Penman) via a John Peel session track. Suitably titled "Desperate Journalist In Ongoing Meaningful Review Situation" and set to the music of "Grinding Halt", The Cure lashed back with some keen wordplay themselves including the sarcastic refrain of "I use such long words". Needless to say, I'm thrilled by this historic find and hope you enjoy it as well (lyrics here). For a band that people often consider overly maudlin and downright goth even (obviously missing the point entirely), this goes a long way in revealing the humor that has always been part of The Cure package. Enjoy.
The Cure - 2nd Peel Session.
Recorded 09-May-1979. Broadcast 16-May-1979.
The Cure - 01 - Desperate Journalist In Ongoing Meaningful Review Situation.
The Cure - 02 - Grinding Halt.
The Cure - 03 - Subway Song.
The Cure - 04 - Plastic Passion.
The Cure - 05 - Accuracy.
P.S. - Look at this insane set list from the Austin show! 4 songs from "Seventeen Seconds" and 7 from "Three Imaginary Boys"?!?!? Much have been nice.
