The Zimmermann Note

If someone were to ask me today about the status of quality music that is coming out, my answer to them would be there is a plethora of great music of all shapes and sizes being released to the public. The problem of course is finding that music.

While word of mouth is still a strong component of the music that you listen to, the other sources of finding out about new music have largely changed. 25 years ago, people would rely on MTV, the Radio and Music Magazines to get their fill. Today, conventional radio is a fraction of what it used to be, MTV doesn’t even play music anymore and like the rest of the Newspaper and Magazine market, most people prefer blogs and websites to magazines.

On top of this the number of bands have multiplied several times over when it has become difficult to follow a handful of bands closely. Stadium-filled shows have been replaced by festivals, which can attract a greater amount of fans to experience and explore the sounds around them.

Being a “Thirtysomething” that has a steady job outside of writing on this site and others, my music fill is both one that relies on time and need. I just do not have the time in the day to rely on every single music release and base my own thoughts around friends, cohorts and sites that promote music.

One of those sites that I have used is Pitchfork. Pitchfork has built upon a solid Indie Rock Formula of good reviews, a level of irony and a lack of acting “Too Corporate”. While they might go to bed with certain bands like Radiohead, Vampire Weekend and Animal Collective, I do not take their word as “Holier than thou” but a word nonetheless.

Recently they reviewed the inagural release ‘Treats’ by the band Sleigh Bells, one of those “Buzz” bands. These bands will have a paragraph or so in their reviews about somehow being the talk of the hip indie community as being one of the next big things. Discovery is important and to put it in writing is even more important so that they can reflect on that years later about how they gave certain artists high grades early on.

What of course I noticed about the release was that Pitchfork gave the Sleigh Bells new album the title “Best New Music” and a score of 8.7. This title is given to any album that receives a score above 8.0 on their grading chart. They are fairly tough reviewers as you see very few releases above 9.0 on their grading system and since 8.7 is pretty high up there, it meant that I should check it out.

Another factor in my immediate purchase was that they were planning on playing Pitchfork Music Festival which I am attending. What better way to get acquainted with my music listening decisions that weekend than checking out the talent.

My initial reaction to this album was one, which would make me call it one of the best albums of the year or one of the worst. If anything it is one of the most intriguing releases of 2010 which will probably command a lot of disparate opinions across the internets. 

At first listen to this album, my deepest fears were being met. A combination of the “Pussycat Dolls” and “Heavy Metal Guitars” with an equal amount of electronica to make Lady Gaga have an orgasm. Not that I have a huge problem with ‘Lady Gaga’ or her talents withstanding, but better to the point that it reminds me of those yuppie bars I would attend in my youth.

No there is no doubt talent on this record and there will no doubt be many thoughts and reactions about this album. But how do you write about something that you are either going to admit is a “Flash in the Pan” – Jesus Jones moment or something that is a genuine record of the year candidate?

According to Wikipedia, they have been defined as “Dance Punk”, what that means, I have no clue. Sorry if I find that there are more music genres in music these days than bands.

For me the moments of annoyance are when Alexis Krauss’s vocals venture into the “Pop Stardom” vs. sticking with the Miki Berenyi-Lush stylings such as my favorite song on the album so far “Rachel” which combines that Spooky/Gala style on top of some great electronica. Personally, I prefer the latter but also understand there is more money in the former. 

However, the guitars on this album is why it was posted to Pitchfork to begin with. Derek Miller’s guitars on ‘Infinity Guitars’ among others are meant to bleed eardrums and what makes this album from being a favorite at the yuppie clubs and also the indie rock circuit. When the initial shock wears off, you understand the conflict in the music. Alexis Krauss would have no part in a Heavy Metal/Punk outfit in her life and yet, this odd combination actually works on many levels.  It tries to break barriers in the same way that Prince did by bringing R&B and guitar-driven rock together. It is a combination that you do not expect and at times abhor but you listen anyhow.

And that is half of the problem. You finish listening to the album and it slightly kicks you in the ass and you are really not sure if the ride was worth it or not. For me, the album has not been immediate but rather bone-jarring. The opening to the song ‘Straight A’s’ for example would have heavy metal fans on their feet. Ever pissed at a neighbor? Play this track at 11 and you will be noticed.

There are other songs such as “Ring, Ring” or  “Rill, Rill” depending on where you are getting your knowledge from. which provide a gentler, luscious side, that should be a mainstay at Proms if they have a pretty good DJ.

Its strength’s are in the music and the vocals and would provide a thumbs down to the lyrics, which I would characterize as pedestrian. This is a blaring, sweaty party album. It’s an album that will do well on the tour circuit on a hot summer venue.

This album crosses genres and based on your own musical preferences, I would suggest the purchase if only to experience it and create your own opinion. This is not your average “Boring” rock record.  This record takes chances and for that I applaud it.

But as any music listener will attest to, opinions change. The Buzz today could be in the trash tomorrow.

This mix was inspired by a friend of mine, Adam, who is part of the Dirty Avocado’s, which is not your mother’s Guacamole. Instead they are a Adventure Racing Team, braving the environmental factors such as the weather, terrain, and their equipment.

Per his request in asking for a nice mix of songs to play while battling the extremities, I came up with a “Relatively Small” list of songs (50 to be exact) that would hopefully put him in his “Happy Place”.

I will hopefully post a “Podcast” or three of these songs for your listening pleasure later on but I thought I would offer this as an eccletic mix of Happy Songs.

In coming up with these songs, I tried to loosely base it off a “Psychaedelic” theme. However, even in dealing with that theme, we do cross over into other genres of music from time to time.  You can read, critique, and lambast here and then later on I will let you sit back and relax and enjoy the ride.

Song Title  - Band

Why wont you talk about it - The Radio Dept.

Calvary Scars Ll / Aux. Out - Deerhunter

Zebra - Beach House

Paranoid Android - Radiohead

No Surprises - Radiohead

Already Yours -  Curve

Sunbathing - Lush

Comfy In Nautica - Panda Bear

The Crystal Cat - Dan Deacon

Silence            - Portishead

Three Days - Jane’s Addiction

So You’ll Aim Toward The Sky - Grandaddy

Sometimes - My Bloody Valentine

Skunks            - Caribou

Deeper into Movies - Yo La Tengo

The Way You Dream - 1 Giant Leap

No. 6 Von Karman Street - A Sunny Day In Glasgow

Bright Tomorrow - Fuck Buttons

Infinity - The XX

Where I End And You Begin (The Sky Is Falling In) - Radiohead

I Have Been Floated - Olivia Tremor Control

You Are The Blood - Sufjan Stevens

…And the World Laughs With You (feat. Thom Yorke) - Flying Lotus

The Trees - Max Richter

Don’t Let Your Youth Go to Waste - Galaxie 500

Wait in a Line - Now It’s Overhead

Red - Mission of Burma

The Rat - The Walkmen

Wholehearted Mess - Bear In Heaven

Dead Souls - Joy Division

The Murder Mystery - The Velvet Underground

Hearing Damage - Thom Yorke

Texico Bitches - Broken Social Scene

We Were Born The Mutants Again With Leafling - Of Montreal

Get Innocuous! - LCD Soundsystem

In the Flowers - Animal Collective

Inertia Creeps - Massive Attack

Indoor Swimming At The Space Station - Eluvium

Roscoe            - Midlake

Starla - Smashing Pumpkins

je t’aime… moi non plus (en duo avec Jane Birkin) - Serge Gainsbourg

Hard World - Overflower

A Rush and Push and the Land Is Ours - The Smiths

Sun - Caribou

Whatever Happened - Glenn Mercer

Archangel - Burial

Astronomy Domine - Pink Floyd

Your Blood in Mine - Serena Maneesh

Everythings Alright When You’re Down - The Jesus & Mary Chain

Instrumental - Galaxie 500

When do you start working on the setlist they play at your funeral? While this is something that I have not started thinking about, I did feel the need to work on a setlist of songs that seem to be budding up this springtime.

Springtime in Chicago is exciting with several good shows coming up (Thom Yorke, Spoon/Deerhunter and Air) several shows that I enjoyed (Woods and Netherfriends) and some shows I wish I went to (Deakin).

There are many shows to look forward to this summer, (Pitchfork, Monday Free Shows at Pritzker) and that does not count the plethora of new music to look forward to this year.

Every once in a while there is always a need to put my mouth behind the microphone and speak to my imaginary friends as to what I have been listening to. Anyone that is willing to put up with this trainwreck, feel free to indulge yourself in the fractured fairytaile mind of a 37 year old deviant who is just trying to find sense to the maddening world we live in.

And any time that we can find ways of escaping the monotony is a good thing. For my imaginary friends out there wondering what is good and listenable I would encourage you to check this out. The podcast is a mixture of young and old. Some artists reflect the nature of Generation X, boombox over your head music like Peter Gabriel. Some reflects the younger generation musicians/audiophiles listening to their angels and demons make music and interpret that how they may like, (see Woods and Netherlands). Still others are dug up relics finding their light of day (The Method Actors) and finally there is always plenty to celebrate the bands whose movements are still being examined 40+ years after they started making music (Velvet Underground).

So here you go. An imaginary podcast for an imaginary world

As I sit here and listen to the first song by Dan Deacon, I wish it was about 90s degrees with about 50,000 fans out somewhere in the middle of a field jamming out to this. Instead I am alone in my urine sitting behind a computer screen typing this out while the outdoors is frigid. We can dream can’t we?

With such a positive outlook, it would seem to be the perfect first song to this 3^rd new music podcast for 2009. This podcast has inspired me at some point to do one based on the biggest disappointments from the Aughts or as I will refer to as “The Aught for Naughts”.  That will be at a later time.

For those of you excited about the prospect of hearing a Decemberist song as one of my favorite songs for 2009 you will be disappointed. I could only include 2 Irish Bands/Artists on this particular mix. Sorry folks!

Download Here.

1.             Dan Deacon -  Build Voice

2.            Grizzly Bear – I Live With You

3.            U2 – FEZ – Being Born

4.            Morrissey – When Last I Spoke To Carol

5.            Wilco – Wilco (The Song)

6.            Beirut – The Akara

7.            Radiohead – These Are My Twisted Words

8.            The Books ft. Jose Gonzalez – Cello Song

9.            Sunset Rubdown – Silver Moons

10.             Minus 5 – Vintage Violet

11.            The Pains of Being Pure At Heart – Young Adult Friction

12.            Bear In Heaven – Wholehearted Mess

13.             Weird Tapes – The Heavens

Things worked a little better this time around vs. last time. However, here is the second podcast for your enjoyment:Artist - Song

Artist – Album

1. Bibio – Jealous of Roses

2. R.E.M. – Seven Chinese Bros. (live)

3. Phoenix – Rome

4. Girls – Summertime

5. Andrew Bird – Oh No

6. Pisces – Dear One

7. Deerhunter – Famous Last Words

8. Japandroids – I Quit Girls

9. Lotus Plaza – What Grows

10. Dirty Projectors – Useful Chamber

11. Robyn Hitchcock – Your Head Here

12. Weird Tapes – The Heavens

13. Fuck Buttons - Olympians

This will be the first of I hope of a handful of new and re-released music so far this year. Click here to access the podcast. It’s been awhile since I have done one of these so I apologize for the fact my voice is a bit low on this. Something to improve on the next time.

Band – Song

Animal Collective – In the Flowers

Yacht – The Afterlife

Atlas Sound – Sheilia

The XX – Infinity

Wavves – Mickey Mouse

St. Vincent – Black Rainbow

The Feelies – Crazy Rhythms

Circulatory System – Woodpecker Greeting Worker Ant

Yo La Tengo – Nothing to Hide

Pylon – M-Train

Ida Maria – I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked

R.E.M. – Carnival of Sorts (Boxcars) – Live

As the years have gone on the chances of me receiving daily mail from the AARP have increased. In fact, it’s very problematic that AARP thinks that targeting a 30-Something sweet short (and graying) haired boy. 

Figure that when you go to a festival, you start having to create priority lists of what are the most prominent acts that you “Need” to see and then go from there. Here is my list for the 3 day Pitchfork Festival that is starting tomorrow.  

1. Yo La Tengo – It’s been about 10 years since I got into them and over that time I have always appreciated their integrity. If started a band, I would say, ‘I want to do it like Yo La Tengo”.
2. Grizzly Bear – Their new album is far and away one of the best new albums of this decade. It will be exciting to see them live.
3. Jesus Lizard  - First hometown show in over a decade plus fans write the setlist. This should get pretty crazy!
4. Women – I have really been listening to their album quite a bit lately and might have to make some changes to my 2008 Best of List.
5. The National – I thought that they stole the show when I saw them open up for R.E.M. last year. Given the Saturday headlining slot, I am excited to see what they will pull off.
6. The Flaming Lips – First the set was fans choice, then it wasn’t and now it is. Question will be whether the fans are “Pink Robots” fans or are they going to want the Lips to play some of their older songs?
7. Blitzen Trapper – Last years album ‘Furr’ is truly one of those great “crossover” albums that can be appreciated by fans of many different genres.
8. Wavves – I love them actually but I am curious as to how this will all play out. Nathan Williams self-destructed in Spain recently and now just this past week broke his wrist skateboarding.
9. Beirut – Never seen Zach Condon live, but love their music. I think this could be a lot of fun if really done the right way.
10. Pains of Being Pure at Heart – There is a lot of Shoegaze being featured at this years show and this is another good up-and-coming band with a bit of sugar added to their sound.

Biggest Game Time Decision  

Japandroids vs. Walkmen – True it is the Walkmen but I am currently leaning towards the Japandroids as they seem much more exciting at this point. 

Well here is a quick rundown of some of the better music (in my opinion) so far this year. It would seem as we are about 5 months into this year, the music from my standpoint has been pretty stellar. There are already a couple albums which I can see myself keeping on a regular rotation.

One of the ideas that seems apparent is that with the influx of information being shared, i.e. the internet, the “Scenes” are being sped up and much more disparate. While I would classify much of the list here below in the broad category of “Psychaedelic” it’s sub-genres could fill up a telephone book.

I am also much more aware of how our forebearers of rock and roll laid their seeds in sounds which are minutely being disseminated by bands now. For Example, I can imagine that an entire genre of music was created by the song ‘Blue Jay Way’ by the Beatles not to mention other awkward moments like “Revolution No. 9”.

My other point is thinking how even the most obscene rock and roll like “Metal Machine Music” which was abhorred by many critics that did not have the last name of “Bangs” is cherished and copied on purpose or by accident by artists today.

While artists might starve and record companies might blame downloading for their woes, there is not a shortage of ideas, thoughts and sounds being present in music today. As with our society, we have an influx of music which I can only listen to a very small percentage of.   Thus with any list, this one feels incomplete but only a prefix tasting of some of the better sounds I have laid my ears upon the first couple months of this year.

1. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion

This album still takes the cake for the best album of the year.  This album still gets weekly airplay by me, on sometimes multiple occasions.

2. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest

As I sit here writing this post I am listening to ‘I Live With You’ as it smashes through your eardrums, another very important release has hit our eardrums. The mixing of Art Rock, fragile pop moments, it’s another one of those albums that needs several spins before the pieces of the puzzle come into place. This album does not have any singles and sometimes feels a bit unsure of itself, especially in the middle but is beginning another element of rock that is going back to studying music’s roots in a contemporary era.

3. Various – Dark Was the Night

It is very rare that I will appreciate a compilation album, but this benefit double CD is a “”Who’s Who” of indie rock that adds just the perfect amount of spice. For someone wanting a taste of the ‘Pitchfork Circuit’ this is a good place to start.

4. Lotus Plaza – Floodlight Collective / Deerhunter –Rainwater Cassette Exchange (EP)

This Deerhunter offshoot offers momentary glimpse into the lives of lives of musicians in the band not named Bradford Cox. Of course Deerhunter is never short of recording new material. Fresh off their double album Microcastle/Weird Era Cont., you can also get their stunning new Rainwater Cassette Exchange EP that continues on the beautiful shoegaze/psychaedelic music that keeps my blood flowing.

5. Wavves – Wavves

This would seem like a hit or miss with folks as they found the music unappealing or rather sounding like Kurt Cobain’s cousin Frank. Maybe that is why I like it or maybe it’s the fact of their meltdown in Spain this week. Not a good start to a tour. Let’s hope they last until Pitchfork at least!

6. Dan Deacon – Bromst

Music that makes you want to jump around with 500 of your closest friends. Quirky and infectious.

7 . Japandroids – Post-Nothing

A mixture of My Bloody Valentine ear-bleeding guitars and punk. If there are any cowebs up there in the brain, this is a good way to clean them out.

8. Andrew Bird – Noble Beast

The first of two Chicago bands back to back. While critics such as Jim Derogatis might find Bird’s lyrics to challenge the most inane part of the dictionary, I still find his Nick Drake impressions endearing. 

9. Wilco – Wilco (The Album)

Unlike some of their albums where they felt cohesive, this one does not. Not to say that it is bad whatsoever but feels more like R.E.M.’s –New Adventures in Hi-Fi, ala a collection of the sounds of Wilco since their inception. A little bit of everything.

10. Woods – Songs of Shame

A mixture of prepubescent Velvet Underground. Their lead singer invokes early Elf Power songs intermixed of Folk songs filtered through New York Coffeehouses listening to the Moldy Peaches.

Jay Bennett Dead At 45

Jay Bennett, a rock musician with deep ties to Chicago best known as a former member of Wilco, died early Sunday morning in downstate Urbana, where he had been running a recording studio, according to a spokesman for his family.

The singer and multi-instrumentalist was 45 years old.

“Early this morning, Jay died in his sleep and an autopsy is being performed,” said Edward Burch, a friend and musician who collaborated with Bennett on the 2005 album “The Palace at 4 a.m.” “The family is in mourning and is unavailable for comment at this time.”

There was a period in time where anyone that listened to me would have heard the words utter out of my mouth that Wilco was the best band on the planet. My conclusion was based on predominantly on the “Jay Bennett Era” of Wilco.

The first time I remember seeing Wilco was in 1999 during R.E.M.’s ‘Up’ tour.  I still remember sitting in the audience during this show and listening to Drew, my friend, rant about the secret ingredient outside of the Lead Singer, Jeff Tweedy.

Jay Bennett was the musician that brought the powerpop sensibilities to an alt country god and transformed their music into something different. It was their collaboration on albums such as ‘Being There’, ‘Summerteeth’, ‘Yankee Hotel Foxtrot’ as well as their collaboration with Billy Bragg on the Mermaid Ave. albums which have always signified in my eyes, the golden years of Wilco’s existence.

That first show opening up for R.E.M. did not sell me at that moment. Sure, they did receive quite a standing ovation from the loyal Chicago crowd, but it was the next show I saw on January 9^th, 2000 at the now defunct Lounge Ax, in Chicago that made me a huge fan.

The final weeks of the Lounge Ax featured quite a few prominent artists to play one final show at the legendary location and this night featured Minus 5 (Scott McCaughey and backing band Wilco) and then Wilco for a blowout performance. A night of about 40 songs The Minus 5 and Wilco combined felt more like a raucous performance in a small bar in the middle of nowhere. The Lounge Ax, was a hole in the wall, had some of the worst sight lines in existence, leaky ceiling, and probably not the most optimal place to see a live show. At any rate, on this particular evening it had been perfect.

Over the next couple years I would try to see Wilco at every moment possible, whether it was at Rock the River festival in the Loop, after a Chicago Fire game at Soldier Field or the Riviera.  This would be on top of the local acoustic shows that lead singer Jeff Tweedy would by playing from time to time.

Wilco had become my band, a new band for me considering my love and devotion for another band quite like them, namely R.E.M.

Wilco featured beautiful songwriting on top of the outstanding lyrics that made Tweedy-Bennett songwriting a staple. And here was a band that I could see during their “Peak” so to speak, not a band like R.E.M. whose best days were behind them since the departure of drummer Bill Berry. All of this was shortlived.

The masterpiece album “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot”, claimed Jay Bennett as an ex-member afte the album was finished and recorded. The backstory, never clearly told on anyone’s account and highly doubt it will ever come out can be stated pretty simply was that Wilco was not big enough for both Jeff Tweedy and Jay Bennett.

Wilco was Jeff Tweedy’s band. He formed it, he owned and controlled all aspects of the band. Say what you want about democracy within the band, but the truth is that Tweedy and Bennett hit a point of “Irreconcilable Differences” and Bennett was asked to leave the band.

As a fan this was shocking and not something that I have ever been able to deal with. I attended shows afterwards and missed Jay’s stage presence as he would flail around with his guitar.  I have missed Jay’s pop sensibilities on the last couple albums as Wilco has reformatted their sound to remind me something closer to a Jam band. While others still flock to Wilco shows their newer albums have never clicked with me the same way the Jay Bennett albums inspired me.

As any collaboration is, Jay Bennett’s solo work missed the delicate nature of Jeff Tweedy’s lyrics, his folklore, and sadly I never got much into his albums with the exception of his initial release. 

Unfortunately, this is often the breaks when you get two talented songwriters in a band. That collaboration (i.e. Lennon-McCartney) is often stronger than each of them doing their separate things.

I think there were always times when I hoped that Bennett would someday reunite with Tweedy and Wilco. As anything, it was always a passing fancy but something that I knew would never happen.

I was blessed to see Bennett live with Wilco and am continually blessed with the fact that they were able to record so much good music together, music that has helped define who I am.

Sadly, the last chapter in the Bennett-Tweedy feud was heartbreaking when Bennett decided to sue Tweedy for lost royalties when he was with the band. It is hard to say whether Bennett’s current health problems had anything to do with this, however, I would suggest that if Bennett was able to have a successful recording career of his own that things would be different. As written on his Myspace page, a hip ailment that was causing intense pain on top of having no health insurance made him reevaluate quite a bit as a person.

He will be missed but his music will live on. Rest in peace, Jay. 

Setlist 

Lion In a Coma

Slippi

Blue Sky (new song)

Guys Eyes

Summertime Clothes

My Girls

Also Frightened

Daily Routine

Leaf House

Brother Sport

Encore: Comfy in Nautica

This will probably be the last time I write about Animal Collective for awhile. Of course with a new album and seeing them at the Metro and seeing that their album is getting close to “Masterpiece” status, there has been a lot on my mind in regards to them.

Based on some of the other setlists and reviews from the shows they probably skipped out 1 song due to Avey Tare having vocal problems. He did not come out for the encore and they played only a total of around 75 minutes but it was essentially 75 minutes of straight music with few interruptions. I have read some reviews so far which would suggest that fans were slightly disappointed in this. At this point, I am much more satisfied in the fact that they actually played as the issue with Avey Tare’s voice might have been the reason they were forced to cancel tonights show.

This is the second time that I have seen Animal Collective, the first time at Pitchfork Music Festival. I would not have considered myself at the time being an avid AC follower. I completely loved Panda Bear’s ‘Person Pitch’, one of my favorite records from 2007. Panda Bear, aka Noah Lennox came out with this solo album exploring some more of his nuanced Beach Boys meets Electronica style that had me shimmering for more. Animal Collective’s ‘Strawberry Jam’ was also an album that I appreciated that year as well. In breaking my virgin status with the Animal Collective show that night, I was struck immediately with the psychaedelic and hypnotic atmosphere of the night, as the songs while much more mellow than last nights show made me a fan of their live show.

When I found out that the band was playing at the Metro in mid-November, I immediately grabbed a chance at seeing them in a more intimate venue. I was surprised when I arrived at the venue nearly 45 minutes before the show started that it was pretty much packed already. As a fan that has always tried to stake out a good spot to see a performance there was a level of excitement in the air for the sold out show that was selling quite a bit over face value on eBay.

The setlist was heavy on the new Merriweather Post Pavilion (MPP) material playing 7 of the 11 tracks off the new album. As with an album that is as masterful as MPP, I could not help but be disappointed however, in the exclusion of ‘In the Flowers’’ probably my favorite track off the new album. However, with an album as solid as this and a show as stunning as it was, individual selfishness has to take a seat to the tapestry that was woven onstage.

Animal Collective are not a type of band where their actions onstage will definitely warrant any fans. These are not individuals that are in any way theatrical with their instruments. They are still a jam band for the electronic age, sounding tight but at the same time very improvisational. You would expect that within a set with virtually no breaks that the band would be playing the same setlist in order night after night but this is not the case. Lengthy interludes between songs make seeing them a unique experience.

Some of the highlights for me was ‘My Girls’ is the oft-repeated chorus during the song. . .

I don’t mean to seem like I care about material things like a social status

I just want four walls and adobe slabs for my girls

In the live setting, the song becomes almost universal, that barrier broken down between band and audience where everyone is singing and dancing, where the message and music are one. While we might be overwhelmed in the digital age with our mobile devices, email, or our entertainment systems, these material possessions mean nothing when it comes to the basic premise of protecting the ones we love.

Animal Collective - My Girls (Video) 

‘Brother Sport’ plays in the same vein as ‘My Girls’ offering that moment where the crowd can be engaged with the band. Being the second of the two songs off the new album with the most pop sensibilities the song builds up in the middle for a frenzied electronic explosion and shifts almost into a completely new song. But the message being brought out is about having inner confidence, and let go of the bad and take in the good. During these dark times we live in, it clearly hits the nail on the head.

As I had mentioned earlier, with Avey Tare having vocal difficulties Geologist and Panda Bear came out for a 1 song encore and I could not have been more pleased with the song they chose. I could argue that Panda Bear’s ‘Comfy in Nautica’ would be a song presented on my ‘Desert Island Mix Tape’ which sounds like Beach Boys behind a sampling board. I would only imagine that Brian Wilson could listen to this and think that this is the true next step beyond Pet Sounds. Hearing this song live and particularly the last minute of the song I felt that “Perfect Moment In Time” as the music crashed around my eardrums I did not want that moment to pass or have the song end but could have stood there for eternity.