12.29.2006
Watch Out!: 2007
As 2006 draws to a close, the upcoming tours and album releases of 2007 come ever closer. Here's a look at what's coming up next year.



Midlake's US Tour (with 2 Canadian dates)
(Brad and I have seen them live; they're good.)

Feb. 2 The Republic New Orleans, LA
Feb. 3 Bottle Tree Cafe Birmingham, AL
Feb. 4 The Earl Atlanta, GA
Feb. 6 Local 506 Chapel Hill, NC
Feb. 7 Rock & Roll Hotel Washington, DC
Feb. 8 North Star Bar Philadelphia, PA
Feb. 9 Bowery Ballroom New York, NY
Feb. 10 Middle East (Upstairs) Boston, MA
Feb. 11 Mile End Cultural Centre (Main) Montreal, PQ
Feb. 12 Lee's Palace Toronto, ON
Feb. 13 Magic Stick Detroit, MI
Feb. 14 Schubas Chicago, IL
Feb. 15 7th Street Entry Minneapolis, MN
Feb. 22 Walter's On Washington Houston, TX
Feb. 23 The Parish Austin, TX
Feb. 24 Granada Theater Dallas, TX
Feb. 28 Rhythm Room Phoenix, AZ
Mar. 1 Casbah San Diego, CA
Mar. 3 Troubador Los Angeles, CA
Mar. 4 Bottom of the Hill San Francisco, CA
Mar. 6 Doug Fir Portland, OR
Mar. 7 Crocodile Cafe Seattle, WA
Mar. 8 Urban Lounge Salt Lake City, UT
Mar. 10 Hi-Dive Denver, CO

mp3 We Gathered in Spring



Damien Rice's European/Australian Tour

(There are more dates on the tour than are listed below. However, I'm purposely leaving out shows that are sold out.)
Feb. 15 Fremantle Theatre Perth, Australia
Feb. 17 Thebarton Theatre Adelaide, Australia
Feb. 20 Palais Theatre Melbourne, Australia
Feb. 23 Senmore Theatre Sydney, Australia
Mar. 5 L'Aeronef Lille, France
Mar. 6 Le Transbordeur Lyon, France
Mar. 7 Rock School Barbey Bordeaux, France
Mar. 10 La Laiterie Strasbourg, France
Mar. 12 Markthalle Hamburg, Germany
Mar. 15 Columbiahalle Berlin, Germany
Mar. 16 Herkulesaal Munich, Germany
Mar. 18 Sala Conservatorio Verdi Milan, Italy
Mar. 19 Le Grand Rex Paris, France
Mar. 22 Vega Copenhagen, Denmark
Mar. 23 Scentrum Scene Oslo, Norway

m4a Elephant


Explosion in the Sky's International Tour
(There are more tour dates on their schedule, but a couple are sold out and not included below.)

Feb. 19 Warsaw Brooklyn, NY
Feb. 23 Gebaude 9 Cologne, Denmark
Feb. 25 Paradiso Amsterdam, Netherlands
Feb. 26 AB Box Brussels, Belgium
Feb. 27 La Maroquinerie Paris, France
Mar. 5 Emo's (Outside) Austin, TX
Mar. 7 Numbers Houston, TX
Mar. 8 The Republic New Orleans, LA
Mar. 10 Crowbar Ybor City, FL
Mar. 11 Markham Park Sunrise, FL
Mar. 12 The Alcazar St. Augustine, FL
Mar. 13 Lenny's Bar Atlanta, GA
Mar. 14 Grey Eagle Asheville, NC
Mar. 15 Cat's Cradle Carrboro, NC
Mar. 16 Starr Hill Music Hall Charlottesville, VA
Mar. 17 9:30 Club Washington, DC
Mar. 18 Starlight Ballroom Philadelphia, PA
Mar. 20 Webster Hall New York, NY
Mar. 21 Middle East (Downstairs) Cambridge, MA
Mar. 23 Ukrainian Federation Montreal, QUE
Mar. 24 Opera House Toronto, ON
Mar. 26 St. Andrews Hall Detroit, MI
Mar. 28 Metro Chicago, IL
Mar. 29 First Avenue Minneapolis, MN
Mar. 30 Sokol Underground Omaha, NE
Mar. 31 The Bottleneck Lawrence, KS
Apr. 2 Granada Theatre Dallas, TX
Apr. 19 Astoria London, UK

mp3 A Song For Our Fathers


South by Southwest Music Festival

Brad and I will be there. You be there, too! The list of bands coming out has not been released yet, but, for sure, Pete Townshend will be the keynote speaker along with additional speakers, Rickie Lee Jones, Joe Boyd, and Booker T. A list of the Australian/New Zealand acts has been released and can be found here. The list includes such bands as Architecture in Helsinki, Hoodoo Gurus, and Bic Runga.

mp3 Architecture in Helsinki- Owls Go


Tv On the Radio's Spring Tour

Mar. 1 Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel Providence, RI
Mar. 3 Olympia Theatre Montreal, QC, Canada
Mar. 4 Kool Haus Toronto, ON, Canada
Mar. 6 Agora Theatre & Ballroom Cleveland, OH
Mar. 8 Vogue Theater Indianapolis, IN
Mar. 12 Metro Chicago, IL
Mar. 13 Metro Chicago, IL
Mar. 19 Ogden Theatre Denver, CO
Mar. 23 Roseland Theatre Portland, OR
Mar. 28 The Fillmore San Francisco, CA
Mar. 29 The Fillmore San Francisco, CA
Mar. 30 Henry Fonda Theatre Los Angeles, CA
Mar. 31 Henry Fonda Theatre Los Angeles, CA
Apr. 1 Gypsy Tea Ballrom Dallas, TX
Apr. 5 La Zona Rosa Austin, TX
Apr. 6 Meridian Houston, TX
Apr. 9 The Club at Firestone Orlando, FL
Apr. 10 Culture Room Fort Lauderdale, FL
Apr. 12 40 Watt Club Athens, GA
Apr. 13 Variety Playhouse Atlanta, GA
Apr. 17 Norva Theatre Norfolk, VA
Apr. 18 9:30 Club Washington, DC
Apr. 19 9:30 Club Washington, DC
Apr. 21 Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY

mp3 Wolf Like Me


Album Releases
(Those without a specific date are tentative.)

Jan. 29 The Shins- Wincing the Night Away
Feb. 6 Bloc Party- A Weekend in the City
Mar. 6 Bright Eyes- Four Winds EP
March Aqualung- Memory Man
April Arcade Fire- Neon Bible
June Interpol- Moderation
October Coldplay- Untitled
- Three 6 Mafia- Da Last 2 Walk
- The White Stripes
- Dinosaur Jr.
- Franz Ferdinand
- Oasis
- Pixies
- Radiohead
- Spoon

--

Soyea make sure to enter the Return to Cookie Mountain contest. Just e-mail us with "BSOTM Contest" as the subject for a chance to win the best album of 2006.

Soyea Happy New Years from us here at Both Sides.
Published at 12:04 PM by Alina.
0 comments
12.28.2006
[Benjy Ferree]
Benjy Ferree made me realize two things - one, it's funny how some things grow on you, and two, I have no idea how to properly pronounce his last name. Taking the former into mind, whatever it is that kept me from liking Ferree on first listen is long gone now. Benjy Ferree's tunage is the product of lots of encouragement and, of course, life experiences. In his earlier days, aspirations in film and acting first led the young Ferree to Los Angeles where, among other jobs, as a nanny, he was known as "Hairy Poppins." After frustrations with the industry, he moved back to the east coast. While holding a job as a bartender, he was encouraged by friends to focus on the music he was primarily writing for enjoyment, and what do you know? Benjy Ferree, the musician, is born. I want to describe Ferree's music to you; I really do, but the man holds a musical style that's everchanging.. The tracks on his latest album, Leaving the Nest, vary quite a bit from song to song, but for the most part, I can tell you it's on the folkish end of the spectrum. As Domino's first American worldwide signing, Leaving the Nest was rereleased in North America last month, while European release is set for early next year. Benjy Ferree has a string of dates coming soon, including one on the 30th in which he shares the stage with Spoon at Webster Hall in NYC.

From Leaving The Nest (all songs are right click - save as):
Why Bother
In The Countryside

Learn more about Benjy Ferree at Domino or his site.
Be his friend!

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Otherwheres - Dodge over at MOKB tell us the busts and break-ups of 2006...

Otherwheres - IGIF recently listed their top albums of 2006...

Otherwheres - Hell, while we're at it, Indoor Fireworks has it's list too...
Published at 10:58 PM by Anonymous.
0 comments
12.27.2006
The Greatest of '06: A Monster Post in Parts-- Part V
Finally, the top two albums of 2006...

2.
Regina Spektor- Begin to Hope

Regina casts her piano magic again with Begin to Hope. The songs are varied in style but still recognizable as Regina-music, making for an interesting, cohesive album. Her jazzy, trebly voice shines once again, giving undeniable life to her music. The way she sings is just so quirky. Brad criticizes her version of skat a lot, but I find it endearing, if a bit twisted. She has a lot of those "ah ah ah," heavy breathing rhythm, vocal pattern deals in her songs. That's what makes her Regina though. She can pull all of it off. Her voice is so sweet and her range is so wide and her tone and quality are so great that I really don't mind if she goes off with "breeeeet breet breets" in her live shows. Brad impersonates her quite comically, by the way. I've chosen "Fidelity" and "Better" to represent her album. They're two of my favorites. Enjoy!

mp3 Fidelity
mp3 Better

1.
TV On the Radio- Return to Cookie Mountain

Hummuna, hummuna, TV On the Radio is the shit. Hands down. This album is fucking gold. Every song is something to just jam to. Return to Cookie Mountain just made me so excited upon listening to it. The first track I heard was "Province," and you should've seen the grin on my face. Their music honestly makes me crazy happy. I'll try to stop gushing and explain why. First off, I love the vocals. A reader tipped me off saying David Bowie sings on "Province," which I didn't know (thanks by the way). Bowie's great and I love him to pieces, but I really don't think they needed him. All the bandmates contribute their voices to the songs, creating this medley of falsetto wonder. It's great. Furthermore, their beats rival Three 6, I swear. The rhythm to their music is just on, all the time. For a perfect example, check out "I Was a Lover" on Brad's most recent post. To me, vocals and rhythm make this band, but the instrumentals are also crazy. They play with a fucking Afrobeat orchestra live. The sound is jazz, doo-wop, electric, rock, avant-pop, ah, just everything. MAN. Really, honestly, truly, Return to Cookie Mountain was the best album of the year.

mp3 Province
mp3 Wolf Like Me

Honorable Mentions
  • Justin Timberlake- FutureSex/LoveSounds (His genre-bending music demands our respect here at Both Sides.)
  • Cat Power- The Greatest (Chan's voice is intense.)
  • Rainer Maria- Catastrophe Keeps Us Together (R.I.P.)
  • The Slip- Children of December (I love this album a lot.)
  • The Knife- Silent Shout (For scaring the shit out of Brad and me.)
--

Soyea that's it. I hope I don't get too many angry comments demanding a reordering or another honorable mention.

Soyea the contest I've been mentioning. Brad and I are giving away the #1 album of 2006, Return to Cookie Mountain. Please e-mail us using "BSOTM Contest" as the subject. We'll be announcing the winner in two weeks. Good luck!

Soyea for my last few entries, the bandwidth has exceeded. I used a different account for this post, but the other ones should be running in a few days. Hold tight.
Published at 4:24 PM by Alina.
3 comments
12.23.2006
The Greatest of '06: A Monster Post in Parts-- Part IV
We're getting so much closer...

4.
Damien Rice- 9

I was fortunate enough to catch Damien Rice live this summer with Fiona Apple at The Backyard. I was completely blown away by his performance. There were drunk, fat men surrounding me screaming obscenities at the top of their hearty lungs, but Damien was still able to reach out to me. Even though I had never heard the song before in my life, I cried when he played "Elephant" (the part where he goes "'Cause IIIIIIIIIII am lately..."). It was insane. I mean, I don't normally cry when I hear songs, unless I just broke up with someone and I'm listening to Boyz II Men or something. Anyway, that's when I knew that Damien had to be my #4 album of 2006. Not really. But that's when I knew that this new album of his, 9, was going to be playing in my house for months and months. And it's been true. The concert was, what, half a year ago, and I still play the album from "9 Crimes" to "Sleep Don't Weep" for pure pleasure. I'm listening to it right now! The songs are pretty mellowed out folk as usual, but still so fucking catchy. Take "Rootless Tree" for example. The chorus, the whole "Fuck yooou, fuck yooou" line is so infectious. Concerning the album, I might be biased 'cause I actually heard the tracks live before hearing the CD, but the mark of a great artist is an amazing live performance. His show made me cry, his album is on fire from being played over and over in my shitty boombox, and 9 has truly cemented my love for Damien Rice's music.

m4a Elephant
m4a Rootless Tree


3.
Hot Chip- The Warning

Ooh my GOODNESS, Hot Chip is the shit. Their 2006 release The Warning is an album that you can just groove to. I can't keep still listening to it. It's indie rock/electronica/dance/funk/everything imaginable. When I first heard their single, "Over and Over," my first inclination was to do the Carlton dance and the robot while shaking my tush all at the same time. It proved disastrous, but I was alone, so I wasn't embarrassed. Still, even if I was in a room full of people, I'm sure they would all react in the same way. Hot Chip is so universally accessible. I'm not a fan of electronica/funk at all, and I love this band. When Brad and I first started bouncing songs and bands off each other, I would completely reject all his electronica-prone selections. I mean, I think I still do, but Hot Chip just has this crazy ability to manhandle my ears and somehow make me enjoy it. My favorite track off this new record would have to be "Over and Over," but another song I enjoy is "Arrest Yourself." It's another robot, shake your tush wonder. Check out both of these songs and the rest of the album.

mp3 Over and Over
mp3 Arrest Yourself

--

Soyea Brad and I are going to be taking a break the next couple days. Merry Christmas!
Published at 11:22 AM by Alina.
1 comments
12.22.2006
[Happy Holidays!]
Just wishin' everyone happy holidays from the two of us here at Both Sides!

-----------------------------------------------

Otherwheres - Did your vote count? Yes, yes - The red & tan scheme ultimately prevailed. If you're curious about the votes head on over to Hue Talkin' To Me to see the final tallies...
Published at 10:45 AM by Anonymous.
1 comments
12.21.2006
The Greatest of '06: A Monster Post in Parts-- Part III
My favorite number is three. It's the third installation!!!

6.
Malajube- Trompe-L'Oeil

My most favorite French-Canadian band of all time, Malajube. The songs are in French and impossible for me to sing along to (I'm sure Brad appreciates this fact), but they are upbeat, raucous, wondrous music. "Casse-Cou" would have to be my favorite song-- I love the little guitar riff that plays while the singers are screaming. Far from screamo though, Malajube is kind of... yell-o... Listen to the bridge of "La Monogamie" to get what I'm talking about. Vocals are often doubled up, with one guy more or less singing straightout and another whispering or yelling the lyrics out. Makes for a great, quirky sound.
Go Canada!

mp3 La Monogamie
mp3 Casse-Cou

5.
Arctic Monkeys- Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not

Arctic Monkeys completely blew up this year. Brad and I were fortunate enough to catch their show at Stubb's this summer, and they were amazing. They're everywhere and everyone loves them and that may be cause for disenchantment, but their 2006 release Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (long breath) is very very fun and deserving of all the attention it got this year. Every song is an anthem and a toe-tapper, perfect to hear live. The instruments are as solid as they've ever been and the choruses are infectious and prone to being wedged in your skull for weeks. Don't be turned off by the hype-- Arctic Monkeys really are good!

mp3 Fake Tales of San Francisco
mp3 Mardy Bum

--

Soyea voting on our new color scheme is officially over. Hope you guys have your say!

Soyea a contest is coming... I can taste it...
Published at 12:15 PM by Alina.
1 comments
12.20.2006
[Monkey Swallows The Universe]
Monkey Swallows The Universe is an acoustic group based out of Sheffield, UK that was established around 2004 by duo Nat Johnson and Kevin Gori. During these early days, Johnson and Gori shared vocals and acoustics, and as time pressed on, the band expanded to the quintet it is today. Despite the added hands, Monkey Swallows The Universe is still primarily an acoustic band. All together, the instruments played by the group are violin, cello, guitar and drums. Carrying pretty much nothing but strings, both vocal and instrumental, Monkey Swallows The Universe is just about as basic as you can get. With this bared down tunage, much of the focus can definitely be put on Nat Johnson's vocals, and carrying the lyrics like casual conversation, Johnson's vocals are both strong and assuring. Placed above the simple layering, Monkey Swallows The Universe has been likened to the sounds of Belle & Sebastian. The group's debut album, The Bright Carvings, was released February with a single following five months later. In early January, the fivesome will bumble about the UK with additional dates sporatically placed in February, March and April.

From Science (all songs are right click - save as):
Florence

From The Bright Carvings:
Martin (Live At The BBC)
Sheffield Shanty
Jimmy Down The Well

Check out their tour dates at the Monkey Swallows The Universe site.
Be their friend!

Sorry about the tardiness of this post guys, I was kidnapped by two friends (including the other side of the mouth) for the latter of my day...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Otherwheres - I'm going to start tallying the votes for Both Sides' new color scheme around 6 tomorrow and have it all up by Friday, so if you haven't voted yet or are really keen on a template, get yourself to Hue Talkin' To Me and put your word in...

Otherwheres - As I'll be playing with the template, if you all have any suggestions for changes to the site, now's the time to drop a line...
Published at 11:30 PM by Anonymous.
1 comments
12.19.2006
The Greatest of '06: A Monster Post in Parts-- Part II
... And now, here is the second installation of this year's best albums.

8.
Mates of State- Bring it Back

In 2001, Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel quit their jobs, got married, and decided to embark on a tour of the West Coast playing their love songs for one another. Now, five years later in 2006, the duo is still doing what they sought, releasing their fourth album, Bring it Back, and my #8 album of the year. Mates of State are upbeat and happy. Their songs are mainly composed of the electric organ and the drumset, played by Kori and Jason respectively. For a typical Mates song that will get your toe tapping and your head bobbing, check out "Like U Crazy" (cheesily titled, I know.) For a more solemn, yet still lovey dovey tune, listen to "Nature and the Wreck."
Their male/female vocal harmonies are prominent, quirky, and very fitting to their sound. You can't really call either of them outstanding singers, but their singsongy, talky/yelly voices complement each other perfectly.
Bring it Back is fun, well-crafted, and another win for my favorite couple, Mates of State.

mp3 Like U Crazy
mp3 Nature and the Wreck


7.
Silversun Pickups- Carnavas

Silversun Pickups must be one of my favorite new bands of 2006. I had not even heard of them in 2005 when they formed, but I luckily got on the bandwagon this year. A Los Angeles local band, Silversun Pickups consists of four friends who got their start playing clubs in L.A. A year later, they're opening for both Wolfmother and Snow Patrol and playing David Letterman. Wheeee.
Carnavas is an 11-track wonder. I adore each and every one of the songs and can sing them all by heart, on account of me listening to the album a million times repeatedly. The sound is indie rock at its finest. Brian Aubert leads the pack with soaring vocals that are trebly, raspy, and almost adolescent-like, along with resonant guitar solos and riffs. Pretty much on the dark side, Carnavas is moody, broody, wonderful rock music.

m4a Common Reactor
m4a Melatonin

--

Soyea voting is almost up! Make sure to vote for your favorite colors on the "Hue" post.

Soyea Brad and I are going to the Sally Crewe show on January 6th. Austinites, unite!

Published at 9:42 AM by Alina.
0 comments
12.17.2006
The Greatest of '06: A Monster Post in Parts-- Part I
2006 was the best year ever! Our Vice-President shot his friend in the face, Three 6 Mafia won an Oscar, and the Democrats took control of Congress! Music was pretty good too. Whether it be indie, pop, rap, or pop rock en español, all genres had their share of great new releases this year. This series of posts will celebrate these great new releases, but with a strong concentration of the former former former genre. There really were a ton of dropped albums in 2006, and ten is a pretty small number, so on the last post when the Best Album of the Year is announced, an Honorable Mention list will also be included, commemorating solid albums that were wondrous, just not as wondrous as the top ten.

And now, starting off the top ten best albums of 2006 are...

10.
Lily Allen- Alright, Still

Lily Allen exploded on the British pop scene this year with her infectious hits "Smile" and "LDN" off her debut album, Alright, Still. With an in-your-face attitude, undeniably cute face, and flamboyant fashion sense, Lily's the perfect spokesperson for her music. The sound is poppy, no doubt, but there's nothing bubblegum about it. The topics of her songs include her pothead brother, pimps and their crackwhores, and "fucking that girl next door." She's seriously so cute, though. Jazz, doowop, and reggae influences are all present in this album as well, making Lily Allen a genre-busting artist of 2006.

mp3 Smile
mp3 LDN

9.
Joanna Newsom- Ys

We first discovered Joanna with her debut album The Milk-Eyed Mender back in 2004. Since then she has toured with Devendra Banhart, Vetiver, and even appeared live on The Jimmy Kimmel Show. Her latest album Ys, and my #9 pick for 2006, once again features her beautiful harp-playing and undeniably unique voice. Her vocals have been compared to those of everyone from Bjork to Lisa Simpson. Child-like, wavering, but surprisingly controlled, Joanna's pipes are the standout element of her music and Ys. The album is primarily folk, with a heavy emphasis on the harp, but with African harp rhythms and Joanna's own style of playing, Ys is another album that you can't really pin down to one particular genre.

(Regarding mp3s, Ms. Newsom would rather us not post any of her songs. Buy this album here.)

--

Soyea stay tuned for the rest of my picks for 2006.

Soyea I feel a contest coming up.

Soyea I'm really happy Brad's back; are't you?
Published at 1:55 PM by Alina.
0 comments
12.16.2006
[Los Campesinos! Sign To Wichita]
MAAARRRRIIIAAAACCCHIIII! AYE-YAI-YAI!

Now, being gone means that some of my news is gonna be rather old, but on the other hand, announcing what's old gives me reason to share the good music that's affiliated with it - so onwards I go to something that's a bit between pretentious and pop. Sounding more like a mariachi band than a rock group, Los Campesinos! circulated the blogs with good rapport around early fall. Unsigned at the time, many of us called for the labels to get a jump on this particular septet, and it seems that we've been heard. Los Campesinos! recently signed on with Wichita - a label affiliated, past and present, with names like Bloc Party, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! and Peter, Bjorn and John. Praised for their pop sweetness, I'm sure that most of us aren't really surprised by this quick pick-up. Originally starting as a trio, the Cardiff-based group eventually swelled into the septet we know now and utilizes everything from cowbells to the glockenspiel to make what is, quite frankly, perfect pop music. Planning ahead? Los Campesinos! already have some (UK) dates in March shortly after the planned release of their single.

From Los Campesinos! (all songs are right click - save as):
You! Me! Dancing!
It Started With A Mixx
Death To Los Campesinos!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Otherwheres - Let's not forget about the poll regarding Both Sides' new color scheme. Check out the contenders and cast a ballot on the Hue Talkin' To Me post...

Otherwheres - Matt over at YANP already has two days of Mixmas up!

Otherwheres - Other Matt at Skatterbrain posted his take on albums this year with the Skatterbrain Year End Extravaganza...

Otherwheres - Peter at Renaissance Men asks, "Why post albums when you can post songs?" and put up his Top 10 Songs of 2006...
Published at 1:45 PM by Anonymous.
1 comments
12.15.2006
Explosions in the Sky

Brad and my "musical trash can," Shadid, gave me the heads up about this band this past week. Thanks, Shadid!
Explosions in the Sky is a foursome from our grand city of Austin, Texas. Their songs are purely instrumental--completely stripped of vocals. It's crazy how much more the dynamics matter in an exclusively instrumental song. It's almost like listening to classical music. A lot more emotional, their music has a hypnotic, introspective feel. Great to listen to if you just wanna chill and think. If any of you are in a band, Explosions in the Sky is what happens when you just get together with your bandmates and embark on this crazy long jam session where everyone just happens to be in sync and you guys are just improvising but everything just fits together and all the sounds move together in some crazy subconscious way and you guys are hitting these extra levels and exploring different rhythms and riffs and it all just works. Ah, yea, it's just like that.

Tour Dates are on their site.
They start in 2007.

mp3 Welcome, Ghosts
mp3 Remember Me As a Time of Day
mp3 A Song For Our Fathers

Explosions in the Sky's Official site
Explosions in the Sky's Myspace

--

Soyea I'm working on a best of '06 entry right now. Watch out for it and be nice.

Soyea Vote for our new blog colors on the post below. Red & Tan guys!!! Please!
Published at 10:43 PM by Alina.
1 comments
12.14.2006
[Hue Talkin' To Me? Mix] + Changes At Both Sides

I know what you're thinking - "Who's this guy? I think I remember there being another side of the mouth, but that was such a long time ago." Yes, yes - I realize that I've been gone for quite a while. It's been two weeks, I think, which converts to about 6 months, 3 days and 2 hours in blog time. Well alas, my hellish two weeks are over, and I can get back to things here at Both Sides of the Mouth. Now, to mark my return, I have a dilemma that I'd like you all to help me with. In small chunks of time during the two weeks I was gone, I worked on a new banner for Both Sides. Well, if a new banner goes up, you might as well test other things out, yeah? So guys, I'd like you all to vote on the color scheme that you think would best fit Both Sides. I also realize that some of the larger resolution people are subject to very wide columns, so I'll be fixing that as well. And, since I'll be tweaking, if you have any suggestions about other things you think are due for change, be sure to let me know in the comments, and I'll see what I can do. Glad to be back guys!









VOTING IS OVER

Final Tallies

Red & Tan - 53 (46.1%)

Red & Gold - 30 (26.1%)

Green & Blue - 18 (15.7%)

Blue & Tan - 14 (12.2%)

Oh yes, and since it wouldn't really be a post if I didn't put anything up...here's a mix regarding colors to maybe help with your voting...

Hue Talkin' To Me? Mix (all songs are right click - save as & artist name leads to site):

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! - The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth
Bishop Allen - Little Black Ache
The Long Winters - Blue Diamonds
The Spinto Band - Brown Boxes
Women and Children - Oranges
Tunng - Red and Green
Matt & Kim - Silver Tiles
Okkervil River - Black
The Apples in Stereo - Ruby

And because I love The Clash...

The Clash - White Riot

--------------------------------------------------------

Otherwheres - On a personal note, thanks to Alina for writing while I was gone. I wanted to start a blog with someone else for a reason - aren't you glad someone kept you entertained?

Otherwheres - If you haven't noticed, I've done a considerable amount of file deleting for songs in the archives. I always said that I'd delete stuff, but I never actually got to it until yesterday...

Otherwheres - If you're in my area of Austin, TX and the immediate beyond, you might want to consider...


Published at 7:00 PM by Anonymous.
0 comments
12.08.2006
Asobi Seksu
Asobi seksu means "playful sex" in colloquial Japanese. The name is pretty fitting. The music is playful, and I guess in some warped and twisted way, one could find it a bit sexy. I guess in a less warped and twisted way, one could find the lead singer, Yuki, sexy too.

Yea, the Japanese chick doesn't make up the whole of Asobi Seksu, although she's the only one providing the vocals. Along with Yuki, there are three other guys that provide a nice simple canvas for Yuki's flamboyance. This is appearance-wise only, though. James Hanna, guitarist extraordinaire, has the capability of stealing the song with his gorgeous sound. Likewise, Mitch Spivak on drums and Haji on bass provide a solid backbone to Asobi's music. The band as a whole is perfect for each other.

Asobi Seksu is Japanese-English, Brooklyn-raised, masterfully crafted, fun, lamenting, pretty, turbulent music. With lack of much else to say, I really really really like them.... so listen... and enjoy...

mp3 Strings
mp3 New Years
mp3 Strawberries

Asobi Seksu's Official site
Asobi Seksu's Myspace

--

Soyea Brad will be back really soon; do not fret.

Soyea I just received Oasis's first best ever album, and I'm enjoying it thoroughly. It's called Stop the Clock, I believe, and you should pick one up. It's a double-disc, and berry berry good.
Published at 10:44 PM by Alina.
0 comments
12.03.2006
Goldenboy
photo credit: shutterface


Christened by the late great Elliott Smith, it's only fitting that Goldenboy represents indie folk rock at its finest. Goldenboy's vocals and instrumentals are comparable to Smith's, but with the advantage of another bandmate, Goldenboy can pull off vocal layering and harmonies that Smith could only dream about. When he was alive, that is.

From the Los Angeles suburb, Diamond Bar, Goldenboy released their latest album, Underneath the Radio, exactly two months ago, on October 3rd. The songs are pleasant for the most part, but always with their own dark moments. A song will be happily jostling along with happy background "aahs" and happy acoustic guitar and such, and then, all of a sudden, the song will morph into a minor key with bluesy piano plinks and plunks. Therefore, one word that comes to mind with Goldenboy is "multi-dimensional." Each song has different sides to it -- no flat plane of music with this band.

Goldenboy has a couple shows coming up, all in California, so try and check 'em out if you can.

Tour Info:
Dec. 4 Viper Room Hollywood, CA
Dec. 15 El Cid Los Angeles, CA (21+)
Jan. 6 Rickshaw Stop San Francisco, CA

mp3 Ice Breaker Blues
mp3 Summer of the Evening
mp3 Underneath the Radio

Goldenboy's Official site
Goldenboy's Myspace

--

Soyea I really do like shutterface. All the pictures are taken by this pretty woman Sterling Andrews, and she does portraits for a lot of bands and takes good live show pictures and such. Really different from my beloved Baxter, but still quite good.
Published at 2:59 PM by Alina.
2 comments
12.01.2006
Hot Chip

Upon listening to their latest single, Over and Over, I had difficulty keeping still. Hot Chip has cast a spell over me. A spell that makes me want to dance dance dance everytime its music reaches my ears. I'm not a fan of electro-anything for the most part, so me being a fan of Hot Chip is a big deal. This band has the ability to incorporate dance, electronica, pop, and rock in a way that is absolutely not annoying in any sense. Amazing.

Hot Chip formed in 2000, but didn't really hit the music scene with full force until 2004, with their debut album, Coming On Strong. Since then, they have snagged two UK top 40 singles, been nominated for the 2006 Mercury Music Prize, and got signed to two labels -- EMI in the UK and DFA in the US. Not to mention, they are now known as the "bedroom Neptunes." In other words, they're mixing and producing for a crazy and impressive list of artists. Franz Ferdinand, Architecture in Helsinki, Amy Winehouse, Stephen Malkmus, and Scissor Sisters are just a few off the top of my head. Insanely talented and insanely listen-worthy, Hot Chip is also insanely good live (according to everything I've heard). Check the tour info posted below. They're involved in a lot of festivals this winter in Australia, so yea, you Aussies have my envy.

Tour Info:
Dec. 9 Warehouse Project Manchester, Northwest
Jan. 19 Big Day Out Aukland
Jan. 21 Big Day Out Gold Coast, Western Australia
Jan. 25 Big Day Out Sydney, New South Wales
Jan. 27 Sydney Festival Sydney, New South Wales
Jan. 28 Big Day Out Melbourne, Victoria
Jan. 29 TBA Melbourne, Victoria

mp3 Sexual Healing
mp3 Plastic
mp3 Over and Over (I really like this one.)

Hot Chip's Official site
Hot Chip's Myspace

- - -

Soyea Fun Fun Fun Fest is this weekend in Austin. Yay!

Soyea The other side of the mouth totally blew me off when I saw him at his work today.

Soyea I thought that was pretty rude, but Hot Chip is making me feel better.

Published at 10:10 PM by Alina.
3 comments