The Roots and Tokyo Police Club

photos by Amplify This!

So I have lacked on the live reviews recently which is funny as I have actually been to a lot of shows. I'll start with AMS Block Party at UBC in Vancouver. A student haven of beer, weed and loud music.
Making their way from Ontario, Tokyo Police Club were main support and gave us a kick with twangy guitars and dance beat drums. I was pleased I finally got to see them live as it was worth the wait.

The Roots were the main performance and the crowd were clearly saving themselves for this part of the show. Shame they were all wasted.
Seven strapping men come stomping across the stage with tuba intact to perform a hugely powerful set. I am not too familiar with The Roots apart from a lot of people loving them so all I will say is that they were really very good.


The Roots Site / Myspace

Tokyo Police Club Site / Myspace

More photos at Amplify This! Flickr

Black Cab Sessions - Doves

photo via myspace

For a long time, I have wanted to get down on bended knee and kiss the feet of the genuis who decided to invent the Black Cab Sessions. What an effin' perfect idea to see your favourite musicians as you've never seen them before, crammed in a black cab with instruments rubbing their chins and driving through my beautiful home city of London. Holding a packed year book of students including, (and deep breath) Spoon, Noah and the Whale, Cold War Kids, Brian Wilson, Death Cab For Cutie, Fleet Foxes, The Walkmen, and Ryan Adams amongst others. Shall I go on or do you get the picture?

The latest gentlemen to squeeze themselves in the backseat is Manchester lovelies, Doves. Their new album, Kingdom Of Rust, has not come off my stereo since being released and is definitely, in my opinion, a strong contender for album of 2009. Jimi Goodwin's voice is as powerful as ever and the whole album is formed perfectly beyond words. The latest single, Kingdom Of Rust, was the chosen song to perform as they were chauffered around the glorious streets of East London. Completely spellbinding and the guys were apparently so impressed they mentioned recording a whole album in the back of a Hackney Carriage. I couldn't think of a better idea myself.

To witness the beautiful version of the album title track, press play below.



Doves Myspace / Site

Grizzly Bear New Album Release

photo by Amelia Bauer

Exciting new album/song/tour news. Grizzly Bear are releasing Veckatimest on the 26th May and RCRDLBL, as always, make it easier for us to hear the first installment.
Cheerleader is the first single from the new album and it throws me back to the 50s. Not that I know what it was like to grow up in the 50s but this song makes me dream of the 50s. Riding my bicycle along dirt tracks through wheat fields with a hazy sun on my back and a delicious breeze in my hair. That's exactly what I am picturing right now as Ed Droste hums his angelic sounds through my ears. I don't want this to end.
While I am in my moment, you should head over to RCRDLBL and get this gorgeous track and also check out the dates Grizzly Bear have planned.

• 05/24 Portland, OR @ Aladdin Theatre
• 05/25 George, WA @ Sasquatch
• 05/26 Vancouver , BC @ Commodore
• 05/28 New York, NY @ Town Hall
• 05/29 New York, NY @ Town Hall
• 06/01 Washington, D.C. @ 9:30 Club
• 06/02 Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero
• 06/03 Boston, MA @ Berklee Performance Center
• 06/04 Montreal, QC @ Le National
• 06/05 Toronto, ON @ Phoenix
• 06/07 Minneapolis, MN @ Cedar Cultural Center
• 06/08 Milwaukee, WI @ Pabst Theatre
• 06/09 Bloomington, IN @ Buskirk - Chumley
• 06/11 Carrboro, NC @ Cats Cradle
• 06/12 Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo
• 06/13 Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle (with TV On The Radio)
• 06/15 Dallas, TX @ Granada
• 06/16 Austin, TX @ The Parish
• 06/19 Los Angeles, CA @ Wiltern
• 06/21 San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore

MP3: Cheerleader

Site / Myspace