“Linoleum” by Alan Singley is the perfect song for a documentary. Maybe one about Portland and the current explosion in its indie-pop scene. It’d play perfectly as a closing piece, the credits rolling and Singley’s child-like warble narrating the score’s finale. The opening bars of piano conjure instant feelings of comfort and familiarity, as if the soundtrack to your routine childhood walk to school, or first kiss. Alan Singley and Pants Machine finished out their set Friday night at Backspace with the tune, putting a cap on an energetic and well-rounded performance.
I had yet to see Singley perform since he’d become a fixture on the Portland indie scene, and was eager for the chance to finally catch the young talent. Audiobicyclette, Singley’s sophomore effort, more than whetted my appetite for the singer/songwriter’s brand of lazy ballads and fun pop ramblings, and has seen a steady share of rotation among my listening pile.
Pep Assembly were first to kick things off with their brand of infectious pop-goodness, and warmed the crowd nicely with a playful set of tunes that recall the post-punk leanings of groups like the Halo Benders and the Feelings. Tempered beneath the surface of their sound was a mild static-fuzz, occasionally leaking out and providing just the right amount of grit.
After the Pep’s set, and a sixth-level loss during a round of Mrs. Pac-Man, I made my way towards the stage in time to catch the Pants Machine’s opening number. The group ran through a colorful batch of songs including “Feels So Good When Yr Home,” with it’s lounge-heavy sway and punctuated rhythms, and displayed an overall varied sense of range, styles, and genres from song to song. The addition of the recently added horn section added layering, rounding out a textured and all-encompassing sound. While so many other indie bands fail to deliver live on the promise made by their records, Singley and company manage to deliver a solid and engaging performance, and seem to be having a blast while doing it. The tinkling piano of “Linoleum” came too quickly, but served as a fitting finale to a great set.
Yeah Great Fine were next, and they tore the roof off. Not sure what to expect, I was absolutely floored by what these kids were doing. They successfully incorporate elements of prog-rock, punk, pop, electronica and about a zillion other influences into their cleverly arranged pastiche of sound. The energy of this band is contagious, and I highly recommend anyone who’s into compelling and original music to check them out. You won’t be disappointed.
All in all, it was a near-perfect and well-rounded evening of pop from three of Portland’s finest, and funnest, up-and-coming bands.
DOWNLOAD: Alan Singley and Pants Machine - Today is a Postcard (MP3) or Follow us for more Alan Singley and Pants Machine MP3s (Twitter)
Four Tet - 2/26
Doug Fir Lounge
The Builders And The Butchers + Federale + Dr. Helicopter - 12/31
Mississippi Studios
Quasi performs The Who + The Shaky Hands + Inside Voices + DJ Safi - 12/31
Doug Fir Lounge
The Roots + Orgone + Lilla D’Mone - 1/2
Roseland Theater
Grass Widow + White Fang + Hornet Leg - 1/7
Artistery
The Moondoggies + Sera Cahoone - 1/8
Doug Fir Lounge
Steve Earle + Hayes Carll - 1/19
Aladdin Theatre
Ha, I blogged ‘Mambo Santa Claus’ today too. I thought I was the only one who knew that song. It’s a classic.
by Big Savings on Fri Dec 25, 2009 at 12.48 pm from the entry: Various Artists - "A Hipsters' Holiday" - Buy it
and the egg nog at kris kringle’s house is out of this world…
by steve on Thu Dec 24, 2009 at 07.33 pm from the entry: The Music Tapes Caroling Tour - A Living Room in Boston (Boston, MA; Dec. 13, 2009)
this is wonderful. especially julian’s christmas sweater!
by josh on Thu Dec 24, 2009 at 02.52 pm from the entry: The Music Tapes Caroling Tour - A Living Room in Boston (Boston, MA; Dec. 13, 2009)
so I was slow and didnt get my votes in, but I would have voted for 7-10 and added Fanfarlo and The Knux. Also Dan Auerbach was rad in person, so I would probably have given him a few extra points for that, even though this was about albums. I dont really get the Mayer Hawthorne thing, its not like motown revival is a new thing (Jamie Lidell, Ryan Shaw and Raphael Saadiq)
by Nicole on Thu Dec 24, 2009 at 01.13 pm from the entry: Top 10 Best Albums of 2009!
remixes tend to bore me because I think most are extremely bland and/or unoriginal, but everything here felt fresh from my first listen to my last. let me know what you think about it.
by colin on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 06.43 pm from the entry: Present # 8: The 'Sky High' Mixtape - Remixing Kanye West
nice call. this sounds fantastic. i’ve been listening to a fair bit of kanye recently, and it will be great to get a different feel from his songs.
by josh on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 06.14 pm from the entry: Present # 8: The 'Sky High' Mixtape - Remixing Kanye West
colin, you are too good to us!
by josh on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 05.58 pm from the entry: The Final Present (#9): Another Radiohead soundboard - Live at Lollapalooza 08
Beautiful photos. What a great backdrop!