May 26, 2009

Doves — Wonder Ballroom 22 May

Posted in concerts, music at 9:45 am by berzerkeleyan

Doves

Last Friday night Doves came past Portland to play a few tunes for us.  They had a great rapport with the audience, and managed to capture their “sound” live (if that makes any sense).  The music was supplemented by a backdrop of old 60’s British film clips (I regret forgetting my camera), which added a richness to the show.  Plus they played for an hour and 40 min.  In other words, they didn’t mail it in.

Here was the setlist (album in parentheses):

  1. Jetstream (“Kingdom of Rust”)
  2. Snowden (“Some Cities”)
  3. “Winter Hill” (“Kingdom of Rust”)
  4. Rise (“Lost Souls”)
  5. Pounding (“The Last Broadcast”)
  6. Almost Forgot Myself (“Some Cities”)
  7. 10:03 (“Kingdom of Rust”)
  8. The Greatest Denier (“Kingdom of Rust”)
  9. Kingdom of Rust (“Kingdom of Rust”)
  10. Ambition (“Some Cities”)
  11. Black and White Town (“Some Cities”)
  12. The Outsiders (“Kingdom of Rust”)
  13. Caught By the River (“The Last Broadcast”)

(encore)

  1. Firesuite (“Lost Souls”)
  2. Here It Comes (“Lost Souls”)
  3. The Last Broadcast (“The Last Broadcast”)
  4. There Goes the Fear (“The Last Broadcast”)

For both longtime fans and newbies, it was a excellent survey of all their music.  I was especially pleased that they played songs from their first album.  It wasn’t the all-time best show I’ve attended.  But it was a solid showing by one of my favorite bands.

Music Rotation — 18 May

Posted in music at 9:18 am by berzerkeleyan

For the week:

The English Beat “Special Beat Service” (1982) — genre: Ska.
Phoenix “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix” (2009) — genre: French Alternative Rock.
The Delgados “Hate” (2002) — genre: British Pop.
Jason Lytle “Yours Truly, The Commuter” (2009) — genre: Space Rock.
Third Eye Blind “Red Star” (2008) — genre: American Alternative Rock.
Oasis “Don’t Believe The Truth” (2005) — genre: Britpop.
Isaac Hayes “Hot Buttered Soul” (1968) — genre: R&B.
Hard-Fi “Stars Of CCTV” (2005) — genre: Britpop.
Doves “Kingdom Of Rust” (2009) — genre: British Progressive Rock. This album, already great, got considerably better after Friday’s concert (see above).

May 17, 2009

Music Rotation — 11 May

Posted in music at 2:53 pm by berzerkeleyan

This week:

Kings Of Leon “Because Of The Times” (2007) — genre: Southern Rock-n-Soul.
Hot Chip “Made In The Dark” (2008) — genre: Techno Geek.
The Style Council “Introducing The Style Council” (1983) — genre: Pop Jazz.
Glasvegas “Glasvegas” (2008) — genre: Emoschlock.
Gomez “How We Operate” (2006) — genre: Emoschlock.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs “It’s Blitz!” (2009) — genre: Techno Punk.
Ra Ra Riot “The Rhumb Line” (2008) — genre: American Indie.
Mindy Smith “One Moment More” (2004) — genre: Country.
Janet Jackson “Janet” (1993) — genre: R&B.
Phoenix “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix” (2009) — genre: French Indie Rock.
Starsailor “All The Plans” (2009) — genre: Emoschlock.

May 10, 2009

Music Rotation — 4 May

Posted in music at 11:58 pm by berzerkeleyan

For the week:

James Blackshaw “Litany of Echoes” (2007) — genre: Guitar Instrumental.
Death Cab For Cutie “Narrow Stairs” (2008) — genre: American Indie.
Neko Case “Furnace Room Lullaby” (2000) — genre: Country.
Masters of Reality “Masters of Reality” (1988) — genre: Hard Rock.
Pet Shop Boys “Yes” (2009) — genre: Techno Pop.
Patrick Watson “Wooden Arms” (2009) — genre: Canadian Indie Rock. This is an excellent follow-up to his last album. He’s playing at the Doug Fir tonight. I, unfortunately, will be in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Good times.
Starsailor “All The Plans” (2009) — genre: Emoschlock.
Starsailor “On The Outside” (2006) — genre: Britipop.
Hard-Fi “Stars Of CCTV” (2005) — genre: Britpop.

May 6, 2009

The Money Shot

Posted in hiking, new zealand, vacation, volcanoes at 8:53 pm by berzerkeleyan



The Money Shot, originally uploaded by Out and Aboot the World.

Mount Ngauruhoe, New Zealand, taken March 26, 2009, halfway through the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, 1750m (5741ft) above sea level. You can see the trail we took at the base of the mountain, as well as Mount Taranaki in the background to the right..

Mount Ngauruhoe is considered a young volcano, with a fairly recent history of eruptions. The last one was in 1975. But its neighbors have erupted as recently as 2007. Since I hiked the trail at the end of the New Zealand summer, the mountain is devoid of snow. But during the winter, it is completely covered in white powder.

May 3, 2009

Music Rotation — 27 Apr

Posted in music at 9:51 pm by berzerkeleyan

This week:

Patrick Watson “Close To Paradise” (2006) — genre: Canadian Indie Rock. He’s coming to the Doug Fir next week. And I, unfortunately, will be away on a business trip. Crap.
Ben Kweller “On My Way” (2004) — genre: American Indie Rock.
Pet Shop Boys “Yes” (2009) — genre: Techno Pop.
Holly Throsby “Under The Town” (2006) — genre: Twee Folk. My friends Stu and Keith were three of about six people who went to see Holly Throsby play at a small bar in Wellington. She was great. The added intimacy of the show no doubt enhanced the appeal.
Sara Lov “Seasoned Eyes Were Beaming” (2009) — genre: Twee Folk.
Teenage Fanclub “Bandwagonesque” (1991) — genre: British Alternative Rock.
Gomez “Split The Difference” (2004) — genre: British Indie Rock.
Hard-Fi “Stars Of CCTV” (2005) — genre: Britpop.
Doves “Kingdom Of Rust” (2009) — genre: Britpop. One of my favorite bands over the past few years. Though excellent, this one ranks as my least favorite of theirs. However, it beats out 99% of what’s out there.