Oh, Berbati’s! We have grown so close this past week during MusicFest NW. You sheltered me from the rain, you let me sit on your couch, you offered me a pen when I lost mine, you opened up your kitchen full of liquor, and even gave me a colorful stamp every time I walked through the door. But best of all, you let me listen to all your fabulous music. John Vanderslice and Beach House were a particular treat. I know you were a bit distracted and overwhelmed with all those kids running around inside you, so I’ll give you a recap:
Vanderslice started his set with “Too Much Time” - a heartbreak song about camping on the beach alone, walling yourself from happiness, and generally having too much freedom.
Driven by sober lyrics, rich poetic imagery, and an impressive use of metaphor, Vanderslice’s material is highly relatable; “Exodus Damage” being an apparent favorite as affirmed by the countless early twenty-something females lining the front row and mouthing every word with their eyes closed. I refrained from such behavior (and Oh, it was difficult!), but was nonetheless happy to see some genuine displays of emotion.
Soon the fresh-faced Vanderslice-adoring ladies dissipated and the crowd was transformed into a flock of tattooed thrift-store junkies (myself included) eager to see dream-pop stars Beach House. They began their set with a mesmerizing performance of “You Came to Me,” but only after an agonizingly long set-up and sound-check session, during which they positioned a giant white cloth triangle near the back of the stage. In fact, black and white stripes and triangle patterns appeared everywhere, surrounding the band like some optical illusion fortress.
Unfortunately, not until they played the upbeat “Master of None” (about five songs deep) did the crowd (and the band) recover from the grueling stage set-up, and finally a pair of eyes peeked out from behind a sheath of shaggy bangs and the somber faced Victoria Legrand addresses the audience: “Can anybody feel anything?” And after a few uninspired “woooooos,” Legrand responded, “I feel like a library book.”
Old and forgotten? Full of information and heavily circulated? I’m not sure. Either way, things livened up again and the crowd was amped. Well, except for the two guys behind me who left early, describing Beach House as “sleepy dance music.” Can’t win ‘em all, I suppose.
DOWNLOAD: Beach House - Gila (MP3) or Follow us for more Beach House MP3s (Twitter)
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
Asobi Seksu (Acoustic) - 1/19
Mississippi Studios
Steve Earle + Hayes Carll - 1/20
Aladdin Theatre
Steve Earle + Hayes Carll - 1/22
Aladdin Theatre
k’naan is the best album."Trabadour"
by Mohammed on Sat Jan 2, 2010 at 03.26 am from the entry: Top 10 Best Hip-Hop Albums/Mixtapes of 2009
Courtney Love is a neurotic, drug addled, fame whore. She should focus on seeking professional help. Courtney - substantiate your allegations in court, or shut up.
Ryan Adams is a talented songwriter, and has an alert and inquisitive mind. He is also a gentleman.
by sickchip on Fri Jan 1, 2010 at 09.54 am from the entry: Ryan Adams Denies Courtney Love's Allegations
Damn man, this is a real dope list. 2009 was a great year for hip hop! we actually made a list of our own for the top 10 albums of the year which had a couple overlaps but also some new stuff too:
http://da-what.com/2009/12/31/end-of-year-top-10-albums-of-2009/
we also made one for the top mixtapes of 09:
http://da-what.com/2009/12/30/end-of-the-year-top-10-mixtapes-of-2009/
and a list for who we thought had the best year of 2009:
http://da-what.com/2009/12/29/end-of-year-who-had-the-best-2009/
we would appreciate it if you checked it out and left some comments. tell us what you think!
by ben on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 05.52 pm from the entry: Top 10 Best Hip-Hop Albums/Mixtapes of 2009
oh noes, josh! I love this. what’s jumpy alterna-pop - like harvey danger?
by beth on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 05.08 pm from the entry: Vampire Weekend rockin' down a deserted alley (vid)
the Yamar jam was the shit
by spencer on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 04.45 pm from the entry: Phish - The Gorge Amphitheatre (George, WA; Aug. 7th, 2009)
now that I have a baby at home, Vampire Weekend is surprisingly more listenable when dancing with my daughter. Well, as long as I earmuff that whole “do you wanna f*ck” bit…
by Ian on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 08.47 am from the entry: Vampire Weekend rockin' down a deserted alley (vid)
Happy New Year!!!
by nakis on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 06.19 am from the entry: Will Stratton - "No Wonder" - Borrow It
