Live Review: Brett Dennen at Whelan's, 21 May 2009

Brett Dennen is a funky funky man. He's funky looking, he's a funky dancer, and his music is funky.

He's also very, very funny. The crowd at Whelan's last night were really treated to a great show from Dennen and opener Ollie Cole, formerly of Turn, who played some great songs new and old, including some cuts from new album We Albatri which is out next month.

As for Brett, he played what he wanted and what the crowd wanted without the use of a pesky setlist. Thus the fans' every whim were catered for. Well, all apart from the dancing middle-aged lunatic up near the front of the stage who kept bellowing out requests. She was enjoying it a little too much!

The songs themselves were not all that familiar to me, but everyone of which is immediately accessible. This is exactly what you want when listening to a live act.

There were many highlights, not least 'She's Mine', a very extended improvised 'Ain't Gonna Lose You', and some great crowd interaction on 'The One Who Loves Yoy the Most.' Loudest cheers were reserved for 'Ain't No Reason', 'Make You Crazy' and closer 'By and By' which were all left til the tail-end of the show.

He also played a new song 'Can't Stop Thinking About You' which was just as good as all the rest, and is based on a lovely little riff.

Setlist: Brett Dennen, Whelan's, 21 May 2009

Not sure if these are the correct names, be sure to let me know if they're not!

Joan of Arc
There is So Much more
Do Not Fear Whyat You Don't Really Know
She's Mine
San Francisco
Ain't Gonna Lose You
Heaven
Someday
Can't Stop Thinking About You (*New Song)
Ain't No reason
The One Who Loves You the Most
Make You Crazy
By and By

Live: Van Cleef at the Village

Album launch party this day week, that's Friday 29th of May for those who can't work it out. Van Cleef will be promoting their excellent album Supervillanesque, doors open at 8. Support comes from Sarah Gleeson and from the Mighty Atomics.

Album News: Rob Thomas - cradlesong

"I wish the real world would just stop hassling me", remember that? Probably not if you live in Ireland, but if you're American, you'll definitely know it. It's from Matchbox Twenty, whose frontman went solo a few years back and released 'Lonely No More' which was all over the airwaves. This year (June 30th to be exact), he returns with 'Real World '09' and the rest of his new solo record cradlesong.

Tracklist:
Her Diamonds 4:39
Gasoline 3:56
Give Me The Meltdown 3:13
Someday 4:08
Mockingbird 4:00
Real World '09 2:46
Fire On The Mountain 5:09
Hard On You 2:43
Still Ain't Over You 3:09
Natural 4:48
Snowblind 3:54
Wonderful 3:28
Cradlesong 4:13
Getting Late 3:28

More info/Stream 'Her Diamonds':
http://www.robthomasmusic.com/

Lyrics: Dave Matthews Band - Squirm

Squirm lyrics:
Please find your place
The room grows scarce
Once we’re all inside
The service can begin
For a moment, if you please
Forget what you believe
And naked, you will see
That we are all the same

But how, your kiss
Your words, your lips
Your flesh, your bones
Exactly what you need

Why should I feel intrusion?
Why be afraid of what we do not understand?
To eliminate exclusion
Cut out the differences to feel like we belong

Drum beats louder

Open up your head
Open up you primitive
Open up your mouth
Open up your head
Your sweet primitive
Open up your mouth
It's coming out

Out there, no food or drink
How many days do you think you’d last
On your diamonds and your pearls?
I’m not a king, no, not a hero, not a fool
I'm not perfect, I'm flesh and bone
And I'm exactly what you need

Drum beats louder

Open up your head
Open up you primitive
Open up your mouth
Open up your head
Your sweet primitive
Open up your mouth
It's coming out
Open up your head
Scream, you sweet primitive
Tell me what you said

But how, your kiss
Your words, your lips
Not a gun to your head
You're gonna die before you're dead

Not sad, when you're gone
But when your light’s still on
Your dreams wont let you fly
Don't be dead before you die
Hunger, till fed, give love instead
When it gets inside, watch the dead man squirm

Above all things
If kindness is your king
Then heaven will be yours before you reach your end

Interesting interview here:
http://music-mix.ew.com/2009/05/dave-matthews-b.html

Download: Chris Singleton - Free 3 Song EP

Acclaimed Dublin singer-songwriter Chris Singleton has made available a three song EP made up of songs from his excellent Twisted City album. All it costs is the price of an email address!

Download it here:
http://www.singletonmusic.com/ep/gen/

Album News: Sunset Rubdown - Dragonslayer

Sunset Rubdown are to release new album Dragonslayer on June 23rd (22nd in UK, so 19th in Ireland I'd presume). You can pre-order the album now, and also have a snake peak at it by downloading 'Idiot Heart'. You may know Spencer Krug from Wolf Parade, and in case you didn't know, Sunset Rubdown are his other band.

Tracklist:
1. "Silver Moons" 4:45
2. "Idiot Heart" 6:09
3. "Apollo and the Buffalo and Anna Anna Anna Oh" 5:23
4. "Black Swan" 6:54
5. "Paper Lace" 3:48
6. "You Go On Ahead (Trumpet Trumpet II)" 5:43
7. "Nightingale / December Song" 5:34
8. "Dragon's Lair" 10:28


Download:
Sunset Rubdown - 'Idiot Heart'

Preorder:
http://www.scdistribution.com

More info:
http://www.sunsetrubdown.net/

Live: Manchester Orchestra at the Academy

I reviewed Mean Everything to Nothing by Atlanta's Manchester Orchestra a few weeks back and I must say I really liked it. They'll be over in Dublin the week after Oxegen, so if you still haven't had enough music by then, I suggest heading over to Academy 2 on Wednesday 15th of July.

Tickets are on sale today at a cost of €13.

More info:
http://www.myspace.com/manchesterorchestra

Watch 'I've Got Friends':
Manchester Orchestra - "I've Got Friends"

Download: Okkervil River - Pop Lie

Okkervil River are one of the acts playing at this year's Electric Picnic. As you may know, their 2008 album The Stand-Ins was my album of the year, so I cannot wait for their live performance. Before then, they're playing some US dates supporting Wilco, a lovely pairing. 'Pop Lie' is their latest single, and I have it for download below.

June 14 Manchester, TN Bonnaroo- The Other Tent
June 25 Los Angeles, CA Wiltern Theatre w/ Wilco
June 26 Saratoga, CA The Mountain Winery w/ Wilco
June 27 Berkeley, CA Greek Theatre w/ Wilco
June 28 Stateline, NV Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena w/Wilco
June 30 Jacksonville, OR Britt Pavilion w/ Wilco
July 03 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre w/ Wilco
July 10 Ottawa, ON Ottawa Bluesfest
July 11 Winnipeg, MB Winnipeg Folk Festival

Download:
Okkervil River - 'Pop Lie'
Okkervil River - 'Lost Coastlines'

Watch 'Lost Coastlines':

Stream: Passion Pit - Manners

One of the best new albums in a while gets its US release today, and AOL/Spinner has the full album stream. You can also buy it on Amazon for $2.99 for today only. They're set to play Lattitude and Bestival in the UK this summer, before returning to Ireland in September.

Stream:
http://www.spinner.com/new-releases#/1

Buy:
http://www.amazon.com/Manners/dp/B0027D4ADG/ref=nosim/%20frenchkissrec-20/

Listen: The Brilliant Things - Something to Say

Something to Say is the new EP from Irish synthpop duo The Brilliant Things. They recently played the UCD Ball and went down a treat.

More info:
http://thebrilliantthings.com/

Live: 2UIBestow Sessions at Boyle's, Slane

Press release from 2UIBestow Sessions. It promises to be excellent. The first night has the excellent Ham Sandwich, but for me the highlight will be August 6th with Groom and Van Cleef, two excellent upcoming bands!

The 2UIBestow Sessions will be launched in the intimate venue Boyles in Slane on Thursday 4th June and will run on the first Thursday of every month. This monthly showcase is brought to Boyles, Slane by the popular music blog http://www.2uibestow.blogspot.com/. The Sessions will have four acts playing for up to half an hour in the 65 seated capacity venue in the heart of Slane. The aim of ‘The 2UIBestow Sessions’ is to create a night showcasing the best of music in Ireland covering a variety of genres.

Admission is free, first act begins at 9pm.

Thursday June 4th [The Launch Night]
Ham Sandwich
Kiernan McMullan
Ruairi Coogan
Star Crossed Enemies

Thursday July 2nd:
Perry Blake
Margaret Healy
Henrietta Game
Garret Baker

Thursday August 6th:
Groom
Peadar King
Van Cleef
Joy Booth

More information about the gigs found here:
http://www.2uibestow.blogspot.com
http://www.myspace.com/liveatboyles

Live: Dan Deacon and Ensemble at Whelan's

Due to popular demand, and the fact that Dan Deacon's live show is so amazing, a second date has been added for Dan Deacon with Ensemble at Whelan's. The new date will be June 4th, a Thursday, with the show taking place at 10pm.

Tickets are on sale now at a price of €17.50.

Dan at Whelan's last year:

Download: Dan Black - Symphonies (Passion Pit remix)

Just want to highlight this excellent remix from Passion Pit for Dan Black's 'Symphonies', a song previously known as 'HYPNTZ'. You'll remember I had that up sometime last year, but wires were crossed somewhere and I had to take it down. Hopefully the same won't happen here.

Note to Labels: If you do see something of yours here that you didn't authorise, let me know so I can tell you where it came from and show that I was actually given permission for it by someone!

Anyhow,
Download:
Dan Black - 'Symphonies' (Passion Pit Remix)

Live: Oxegen 2009 Daily Lineup

What better way to show you guys this than on the official Oxegen 2009 poster... Click to enlarge.

Album News: The Rest - Everyone All At Once

Not really news as such, as the album came out last month. What is new is the price though. Indiecater are almost giving away Everyone All at Once from Canadian indie band The Rest. Here's a little taster to get you hooked...

Download:
The Rest - 'Auspicious Beginnings'

Buy the album and stream it here:
http://www.indiecater.com/2009/05/the-rest-everyone-all-at-once/

Watch: Mumford and Sons - Dustbowl Dance

Live video of Mumford & Sons supporting the Maccabbees in London at Electric Avenue. Another one of my tips for 2009. I love the two EPs these guys put out.

Watch:


More info:
http://www.myspace.com/mumfordandsons

Download: Hockey - Learn to Lose Remixes

Mind Chaos will be one of the best albums of the year, mark my words. It's going to be excellent.

'Learn to Lose' is the new single from Hockey, and they've got two lovely remixes to download.

Download:
Hockey - 'Learn to lose' (Labyrinth Remix)
Hockey - 'Learn to lose' (Filthy Dukes Remix)

Watch: Playing for Change - 'Stand By Me'

The site describes it better than I could:

This cover of Stand By Me was recorded by completely unknown artists in a street virtual studio all around the world. It all started with a base track—vocals and guitar—recorded on the streets of Santa Monica, California, by a street musician called Roger Ridley. The base track was then taken to New Orleans, Louisiana, where Grandpa Elliott—a blind singer from the French Quarter—added vocals and harmonica while listening to Ridley's base track on headphones. In the same city, Washboard Chaz's added some metal percussion to it.

And from there, it just gets rock 'n' rolling bananas: The producers took the resulting mix all through Europe, Africa, and South America, adding new tracks with multiple instruments and vocals that were assembled in the final version you are seeing in this video. All done with a simple laptop and some microphones.


More info:
http://www.playingforchange.com/

Watch: