popwreckoning

Mutemath has always struck me as overwhelmingly talented for how underwhelmingly popular they are.  They had that awesome backwards music video for “Typical” on MTV quite a few years ago; what happened after that? They seemed to fall off the map completely. Of course that’s according to the average music listener, and I would not consider myself to be the latter. The minute I saw that video I was hooked, and the minute I saw them perform at St. Louis’ Pointfest in September 2007 I was floored. I’ve kept tabs on them ever since and am always speechless after their shows.

Yeah, bands can sound great on their recorded albums, but when a band is better in a live setting… that’s how you know they’re truly talented. And can we talk about drummer Darren King, who quite literally Duct -tapes protective headphones on his ears before he begins a set? And quite literally crowdsurfs on his floor tom? And quite literally destroys his kit at the end of every set the band plays? But I digress. What I’m really trying to say is this: Mutemath is awesome and you should definitely buy this album and a ticket to a show the next time they’re in a city near you.

Mutemath seem to produce music at a slow and steady pace, with Mutemath coming out in 2006, Armistice in 2009, and finally Odd Soul in 2011. There are a couple EPs thrown into the mix, but for the most part the band takes their time. And with good reason, too. There is so much depth to every song they produce. With vocals, guitars, bass and drums, and handfuls of synthy beats and ethereal sounds, the attention to detail is warranted. Odd Soul, in typical Mutemath fashion, starts with heavy distortion, thick bass drum beats and Paul Meany’s screaming, soulful voice. I can imagine The Black Keys being a muse for this album; the bluesy vocals and dark, sexy bass lines are enough to make anyone shake their hips.

“Prytania” is an upbeat rocker repeating the words “loaded gun” and “Blood Pressure” repeats its title to the sounds of slide guitar. Next is “Heads Up.” Are you seeing the pattern here? Mutemath has something to prove with this album and they’re using strong words to do it. “All Or Nothing” showcases a softer side, with the talent of Meany’s haunting falsetto. With less distortion on his voice than usual, this song is a little bit sparse and shows the audience a stripped down, personal side. “Sunray,” an instrumental interlude, breaks the album in two, with the first half being a little more organic and the second more spacey and traditional to the band’s typical sound. “Quarantine” rages on for seven minutes before the album comes to a close at a lengthy fifty minutes with “In No Time.” Just as “Odd Soul” is the perfect opener, “In No Time” is the perfect closer. I’m a firm believer in listening to albums from start to finish, and start to finish only. Odd Soul is an excellent example of why – it fits so brilliantly together. Buy it, listen to it, soak it up, dance around and rock it hard.

http://mutemath.com/ - Be sure to check out the music video for “Blood Pressure.”

Since their 1994 full-length debut, blink-182 has sold over 11 million albums and filled arenas and stadiums both in the U.S. and worldwide. All six of their albums have been certified either gold or double platinum, with 1999’s Enema of the State selling more than 4 million copies. In 2005, blink-182 announced they were going on an indefinite hiatus. They came back together four years later and began work on their new album.

blink-182 are back with the lead single from their new album, “Up All Night.” The trio’s first new song in eight years made its radio debut July 14th on Los Angeles’ KROQ-FM. “Up All Night” is available for streaming on the band’s website www.blink182.com.

In August, blink-182 will hit the road with My Chemical Romance as part of the 2011 Honda Civic Tour, which will reach 38 U.S. cities. Details about all tour dates can be found on www.hondacivictour.com.

Joseph Arthur will be touring North America this Summer and Fall in support of his new album The Graduation Ceremony. Performing solo with sound loops and painting live onstage, Arthur has been known to create “a dynamic swirl of noise that somehow appears magically around him” (NPR) and “emotional (but tuneful) exorcisms” (Entertainment Weekly). Tour stops include the Pearl Jam 20 Festival (Sept. 3 & 4), Austin City Limits (Sept. 18) and an appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (July 20).

Check out Arthur’s new video for Love Never Asks You To Lie:

Tour dates are below:

July 8 – Quebec City, Quebec               Festival d’ete de Quebec
July 15 – Arlington, VA                         IOTA
July 16 – Annapolis, MD                       Ram’s Head (1pm all-ages matinee)
July 20 – Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
July 22 – Camden, NJ                           WXPN’s Xponential Festival
July 23 – Calgary, AB                           Calgary Folk Festival
July 29 – Montreal, QC                         Osheaga 2011
August 2 & 3 – Toronto, ON                  Dakota Tavern
August 5 – Pittsburgh, PA                    Club Café
August 6 – Akron, OH                          Musica
August 20 – Woodland Park, CO           Newhoma Music & Mountain Festival
September 3 & 4 – East Troy, WI          Pearl Jam 20 Festival
September 14 – Asheville, NC               The Grey Eagle
September 15 – Nashville, TN                Bluebird Café
September 17 – Dallas, TX                    Kessler Theater
September 18 – Austin, TX                    Austin City Limits
September 22 – Los Angeles, CA          Troubadour
September 23 – San Francisco, CA       Great American Music Hall

www.josepharthur.com

The KickDrums are comprised of producer/singer/songwriter Alex Fitts, and DJ/producer Matt Penttila. After meeting while working in Cleveland, the two noted their mutual interests and reputations as skilled producers. They united, and soon began to produce records for an impressive list of artists that include 50 Cent, John Legend, and Kanye West. In 2007 they shifted to working on their own songs. Fitts began to focus on his alt-rock roots and songwriting. Penttila focused on his love of electronic music, began to break down records, and flip obscure samples. The eventual result was Meet Your Ghost, their second album, and the first since signing with Last Gang Entertainment.

The album was preceded by a mixtape, The Ghost. That tape might lead the listener to thinking the album would be closer to pure hip hop, which isn’t the case. It’s mostly alternative rock, full of catchy hooks.  Included on that tape was a fantastic Scarface track, a relatively faithful cover of Nirvana’s “Love Buzz,” and a cameo from The Rza on the song “Perfect World.” More on that last song in a moment.

But the hits come quick here on Meet Your Ghost. Track two, “Trouble Coming Everyday” is packed with handclaps, fuzzy guitars, and an insanely catchy chorus. It’s a pop song, and a great one at that.

The album as a whole is full of fantastic pop songs, including the aforementioned “Perfect World.” It’s closer to alt-rock than hip-hop, and the RZA verse is missed, but the song is still fantastic. It’s a love song, full of blaring guitars, over a kicking drum beat. It wouldn’t be surprising if the song is all over radio this summer.

The drums are ubiquitous on this album. Even on a ballad like “Travel Should Take You Places,” it’s impossible not to be drawn in by them. The song has a classical feel that’s compelling. The KickDrums is a group that has perfected the art of crafting an instrumental.

Meet Your Ghost has some great stuff. The songs feel a little monotonous after a few listens, but the huge pop sounds are irresistible. Some of the production sounds a bit like a modern version of Phil Spector’s famous Wall of Sound. The songs are stacked, full of interesting little noises, and compelling chord progressions. There is a lot to take in on this album, it’s more than enough to keep a listener coming back for more.

Tracklisting:

1. Meet Your Ghost
2. Trouble Coming Everyday
3. Colors
4. Perfect World
5. Counting On You
6. Naked
7. Had Too Much To Dream Last Night (Feat The Kid Daytona)
8. Love Can Drive Your Mind Wild
9. Travel Should Take You Places

For more on The KickDrums, visit http://www.thekickdrums.com/

Indie-pop quartet Funeral Party will be opening for Panic! At the Disco along with fun. at the Beaumont Club in Kansas City this Sunday,  June 12^th. Their debut album, The Golden Age of Knowhere (released March 29^th), was produced by Lars Stalfors (Matt & Kim, The Mars Volta) and mixed by Dave Sardy (Band of Horses, LCD Soundsystem, Oasis). They’ve already performed on David Letterman and Jimmy Kimmel, and have supported the likes of The Faint, Cut Copy, The Mars Volta, and Crystal Castles.

Amongst the insane amount of momentum they are gaining globally, Funeral Party is an Alternative Press Band to Watch for 2011 and they performed several sets at SXSW last March in Austin. With all of this press, they are definitely a band to see sooner, rather than later!

So how would you like two tickets to go see Funeral Party and fun. supporting Panic! At the Disco at the Beaumont Club in Kansas City on June 12^th? Leave a comment below by 12pm on Friday, June 10^th telling us the name of your favorite Funeral Party song and why. The comment that stands out to the Editors the most, wins.

Please remember to include a working email address so we might contact you about picking up your tickets.

Finding a pop album these days that doesn’t sound like every other pop album is quite a feat, so I never expect to. It’s like that old saying, “don’t expect anything and you’ll never be disappointed.” I know that sounds cynical, but it’s easily applicable to much of today’s music. I’ll explain. Those Dancing Days’ new album Daydreams and Nightmares isn’t a bad pop release. It’s catchy as hell, and has a few clever synth hooks along with plenty of riot girl attitude, but it’s nothing special.

Really the only thing that sets Those Dancing Days apart from other dance rock groups is that it’s an all-girl group from Sweden. This being their second release after 2008’s In Our Space Hero Suits, it doesn’t quite match up to their debut. But I’m sure they’d be a hoot to see live, because you don’t get many all-girl groups anymore.

The opening track “Reaching Forward” is one of the best songs on Daydreams and Nightmares, with a kick-heavy drumbeat and sassy melody, but after the opening track the album is a little bit one-note. With “I’ll Be Yours” and “Dream About Me,” I instantly thought of recent commercial sweethearts Neon Trees, but with girls. You take some late-60 guitar riffs with 80s synth lines and sexy vocals and you’ve got yourself a radio-ready pop record.

My two favorite tracks are “Forest of Love,” one that drives the synthesizer home, setting it apart from the rest of a record, and “Keep Me In Your Pocket” a song that employs hand claps through the chorus and pleasant lyrics that are easy to listen to at any time of the day. The rest of the album I’m rather apathetic about – I don’t dislike it, but I’m not blown away either.

The one thing that sticks out with Those Dancing Days for me is the drums. The beats that pervade the album aren’t the same ones you always hear on the radio, and the drummer is noticeably good. It’s the sometimes-overstated drums and sassy girl attitude that hold Daydreams and Nightmares together and make it just special enough, because otherwise we’d just have another pop album to pop onto the rotation going unnoticed.

Tour dates:

• 16/03 – Mohawk Patio, Austin, TX, US
• 22/03 – Mercury Lounge, New York, NY, US
• 23/03 – The Rock Shop, Brooklyn, NY, US
• 27/03 – Cirkus, Stockholm, Sweden
• 28/03 – Cirkus, Stockholm, Sweden
• 29/03 – Cirkus, Stockholm, Sweden
• 30/03 – Cirkus, Stockholm, Sweden
• 31/03 – Lebonk Music Machine, Helsinki, Finland
• 16/04 – Debaser Malmö, Malmö, Sweden
• 29/04 – Hornstull Strand Etablissement, Stockholm, Sweden
• 30/04 – Unknown venue, London, UK
• 11/05 – XOYO, London, UK

Go to http://www.thosedancingdays.com/start.

Deerhoof is one of those bands that at first listen, you tilt your head to the side and say “huh?” The experimental rock veterans have never been ones to play it safe when it comes to their music, with spastic guitar riffs, the odd vocals of Satomi Matsuzaki, and melodies that would otherwise never be put to record. With their latest effort, Deerhoof vs. Evil, Deerhoof actually manages to make their almost psychotic brand of indie rock catchy. Think in the similar vein of the Dirty Projectors’ critically-acclaimed Bitte Orca – give a crazy band some time to chill out, and you’ve got something that a lot more people can enjoy.

Not that I’m saying I didn’t like Deerhoof before, and not that I’m saying Deerhoof fans will be displeased, quite the contrary. But I find this record much easier to listen to. In fact, I listened to it almost all day today, several times over. And not just because I had to thoroughly absorb it because of this review, but because I enjoyed it a lot.

From the twitchy and cute “Qui Dorm, Només Somia” to the guitar fuzz laden “The Merry Barracks,” Deerhoof vs. Evil remains true to the band’s bizarre song-crafting but brings in a melodic quality that they haven’t embraced as much with the past ten or so albums. Heck, “No On Asked To Dance” has a hook that sounds like classical Spanish guitar. Now there’s something you wouldn’t expect to hear from Deerhoof. Actually, you should never expect anything from Deerhoof, because you’ll most likely be wrong.

“Super Duper Rescue Heads” also has strong pop influences with adorable synthesizer and the ever-simplified lyric “Me, to the rescue! How low, how low, you lucky so-and-so?” It’s so fun that after a couple minutes I actually realize that I’m dancing around my kitchen to Deerhoof music.

One thing I particularly liked about this album is that Deerhoof didn’t rely heavily on Matsuzaki’s vocals, and took a bit more care in the harmonies between the band members’ singing parts. It made for a more dense listening experience, and it’s also part of that “more people will like this music” argument. Similar to Dirty Projectors’ Dave Longstreth, and even Joanna Newsom, Matsuzaki has a love-it-or-hate-it voice. And the more chance people get to love it, I say yes.

Further along the album, we get the eerie “Must Fight Current,” which as I said before, explores the vocal harmonies and contrast more than ever before. My personal favourite, however, and then one that I’ve listened to probably about 15 times in the last 24 hours, is “Secret Mobilization,” a track that starts out with simple jazz guitars, catchy hooks, and soft lilty “la la la la las” from Matsuzaki around the middle. But it breaks into this thrashy minor chord progression at the end of the song that catches you so off guard that it’s like an awesome right hook to the face.

Once you’ve been metaphorically smacked into submission, the rest of the album is relatively low-key compared to the earlier songs. “Hey I Can” and “C’Moon” feature some Japanese lyrics which – if I had the energy – I would go translate for you. But this gives you incentive to buy the album. Then it ends on the loveliest songs on Deerhoof vs. Evil, the sunny hand claps on “I Did Crimes For You,” and the haunting sexy synthesizer reverb on “Almost Everyone Almost Always.”

I, for one, am ecstatic to get the chance to see Deerhoof play any of these songs on their spring tour coming up, and I’d go so far to say already that Deerhoof vs. Evil will be on my best of 2011 list.

January has been a good month.

Track Listing:
1. Qui Dorm, Només Somia
2. Behold a Marvel in the Darkness
3. The Merry Barracks
4. No One Asked to Dance
5. Let’s Dance the Jet
6. Super Duper Rescue Heads !
7. Must Fight Current
8. Secret Mobilization
9. Hey I Can
10. C’Moon
11. I Did Crimes for You
12. Almost Everyone, Almost Always

With SXSW approaching sooner than you think, it is time to start planning what bands and showcases you might want to include in your itinerary. PopWreckoning would like to make a little suggestion: MidCoast Takeover.

MidCoast Takeover is a two day showcase featuring some of the best Kansas City and Lawrence-based artists down in Austin. The showcase will feature over 20 bands spread out over March 18th and March 19th at the Liberty Bar.

The showcase is sponsored by the MidWest Music Foundation (who put on a great showcase last year), The Record Machine (home label to many of the showcase artists), PopWreckoning, Ink Magazine and local KC venues such as the Record Bar, Riot Room and Crosstown Station.

The band’s haven’t been announced just yet, but we’ll be sure to keep you posted once that information becomes official.

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Now with SXSW still a little over a month away, you can get involved with the MidCoast Takeover now by doing two things.

First, the MidCoast Takeover needs a little help making SXSW as affordable as possible for bands. It costs money to put together a showcase, so MidCoast Takeover has a kickstarter going until March 7 to help reach a $2500 goal. If you donate, you have the the chance to earn a variety of prizes. Depending on how much you donate, you can earn prizes ranging from cds, posters, national photo passes, music dvds and private tours of the Boulevard Brewery. Go here to donate.

The other way you can get involved is to attend a MidCoast Takeover pre-SXSW fundraising show at Kansas City’s Riot Room. Local bands Heroes and Villains, Waiting for Signal, Sons of Great Dane, Vertigone and Trystyl will perform a 21 plus show at 9 p.m. More information on the show is available here.

Top 3 Albums of 2010:

• Dark is the way, Light is a Place – Anberlin
• 4X4= 12 – Deadmau5
• This is War - 30 Seconds to Mars

Honorable Mentions:

• Heroes – Moneta
• Odd Blood – Yeasayer
• Great Danger – The Audition
• Vagabonds - The Classic Crime
• Trans-Continental Hustle – Gogol Bordello
• We Stitch These Wounds – Black Veil Brides
• Teenage Dream – Katy Perry
• Year of the Black Rainbow – Coheed and Cambria

Best Show of 2010:
I guess this is a three way tie for me…

• Anberlin @ Showbox Sodo: Seeing Anberlin never ceases to blow me away. But this show, fueled by the energy of their recent release Dark is a Way, Light is a Place, literally took my breath away. The new lighting systems they were using, the spectacular sound at a venue that usually has CRAP sound, and the general ambiance of the show was PERFECT. Their cover of “Mother” by Danzig was pretty superb, and frankly, the whole darn set list was put together incredibly well. All members played to their full potential and played their hearts out, making this one of top 10 shows of all time, easily.
• Switchfoot @ Showbox at the Market: This was an exceptionally amazing show. Playing all of their 2009 release Hello Hurricane, plus older tracks, including “Chem 6a,” one of my all time favorites from them had the room singing at the top of their lungs. They played an exceptional show, the crowd was into it, and I had a BLAST.
• Soundgarden @ Showbox at the Market: Does this really even need an explanation? This 2 hour set from local Seattle legends seriously floored me. I was seriously lucky enough to be one of few people who got to order a ticket in the 2.4 minutes before it sold out, and goddess, the show was SO worth it. Being one of the first shows in over a decade, and being able to experience that, was seriously awesome.

Most Anticipated in 2011:

• Innerpartysystem: So super excited about the new album coming out in early 2011. “American Trash” and its remixes have been rockin’ my 2010, but it’s definitely time for some new material. Stoked to see what these guys come up with. Their live show is phenomenal and after 3 years of being a fan, it’s time for them to set the standard for themselves, and for live mixed dance across the board.
• Cake – Showroom of Compassion: I’ve been a Cake fan for YEARS now and from what I have heard of the album so far, it won’t disappoint. Been waiting for this for awhile now and I am really hoping that it goes back to their roots and brings out some of the older signature sound (hopefully something ala “Never There”).
• Blaqk Audio – Bright Black Heaven: Although a release date hasn’t officially been announced yet, I’ve been keeping an eye on these guys since their freshman release, Cexcells. Being a big AFI fan, Davey Havok’s side project has entranced me pretty thoroughly and has set the bar high for themselves before their sophomore album, Bright Black Heaven, was even in the planning stages. The teaser tracks are blatantly brilliant and promise more of the general industrial/dance that they brought to the table before.
• VNV – Nation Crossing the Divide: I’ve recently been reintroduced to VNV and frankly, I couldn’t be more excited for the upcoming EP. It’s not often I fall this hard for industrial/trance, and not usually get this hyped until I have at least heard a sampling of the album. With VNV, it’s guaranteed to be amazing, full of sick dance beats, some dirty bass, and captivating lyrics. Kudos to this band from across the pond for also hinting at a US tour for the first time in 2 years- both announcements have fans eagerly awaiting more.
• Aiden: During the show last Friday, wiL Francis mentioned that they would have a new album out in 2011. The guys have been tweeting about recording for the past few months and Seattle needs these guys to come back and rock ourselves out of the general indie funk we have been in lately. Seattle rock has its place, and frankly, Aiden has been at the heart of it for awhile now. With Knives out in 2009, it’s definitely time for some new material from them (as well as William Control), especially since reinforcing their sound with their most recent album after their hiatus into more mellow tracks with Conviction. We need more Seattle punk rock, and badly guys.

Most Overrated in 2010:

• Arcade Fire- The album was good, but not THAT good. Really. I promise.
• MGMT- Congrtulations was great, but their live show now SUCKS. What happened guys?

Favorite Musical Memory of the Year:

Shooting Capitol Hill Block Party and Bumbershoot:

There was an insane amount of people crammed into the middle of Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood for CHBP and it was AMAZING. Great music, great photographer friends, fantastic memories. Seeing !!! play the KEXP Bean Room at Café Vita and turning the room into a giant dance party was pretty rad, and frankly, so quintessentially Seattle that it could only happen right here in the Emerald City. My first time at CHBP was wonderful and the people who make it all happen are GREAT. Kudos for bringing this fantastic event to a great neighborhood and having a blast doing it. Highlights for me included !!!, Holy Fuck, Yeasayer, and Black Breath.

The 40th anniversary of Bumbershoot was both fun and rewarding. Shooting for Seattle Center and the five stages that I managed to cover was seriously taxing on me as a photographer and a writer. I had a blast covering the 30+ bands over Labor Day weekend (giving up PAX to do so, which was SERIOUSLY hard to do) and danced, sang, and filled up SD cards with memories that will last forever. Balkan Beat Box, the Thermals, the Redwood Plan, and Fences were definitely highlights and I came across a lot of local stuff to look out for in the future.

Best Albums of 2010:

I’m not going to list what I believe to be the three best albums of this year. Honestly, it is because I can’t. Due to a rough 2010 that left me away from my review desk for months, I miss out on a lot of music that some would deem worthy of album of the year. Therefore, I’m admitting my inabilities due to being uneducated properly. I figure instead I’ll list a few of the albums released this year that I found myself spinning endlessly for listening (not just reviewing) pleasure.

They are as follows:

• Woodpigeon – Die Stadt Muzikanten
• Motion City Soundtrack – My Dinosaur Life
• Frightened Rabbits – The Winter of Mixed Drinks
• The Whigs – In The Dark
• Jonsi - Go
• Bad Books – Bad Books
• Field Music – Measure

Most Overrated of 2010:

• MGMT – Congratulations: People were dying to spin this record. Yet, currently radio seems to still be content spinning Time to Pretend. Could it be the sophomore slump stuck again, leaving this album lacking the hooks and charm that made Oracular Spectacular (or at least it’s A-side) an international gem?
• Never Shout Never – Harmony: Holy hell, people love this band. I do not. I went into this album hoping superstar producer Butch Walker could crank out something magical from this kid since everything B-Dub touches turns to gold. God himself however couldn’t make this album glimmer.
• Free Energy - Stuck on Nothing: I’ve heard this band is the next big thing. I’ve even heard them referred to as the next Weezer. Whatever. Stuck on Nothing, Free Energy’s first album is for damn sure not the Blue Album. Hell, it’s not even the Red Album, which I hated.

Best Show of 2010:

• Hands down, Lady Gaga. Rather than recap, here: Check out the REVIEW.

Best Musical Memory of 2010:

• This would have to be the combination of throwing the Popwreckoning Pre-South by Southwest showcase and the 2010 ATN South by Southwest. We received a ton of great local press (here, here, here and here!) while getting to personally work with some of the local scene. We had a pretty good turnout and had an enjoyable time. Great experience.