Tim Kasher - 'Adult Films' CD Review (Saddle Creek) / Show at The Bell House on Nov. 6th

STREAM: Tim Kasher - "Truly Freaking Out" (from Adult Films - out today on Saddle Creek)

Tim Kasher never seems to rest as he released his second solo album, Adult Films (Saddle Creek), today and kicked off a coast-to-coast fall tour last week in Omaha, NE.

Since 1997, Kasher has written and released 12 full-length albums both as a solo artist and with his bands Cursive and The Good Life, and has crisscrossed North America and Europe countless times on tour. His sophomore solo effort, Adult Films, began coming together in late 2011, just shortly after Cursive finished recording their seventh LP I Am Gemini (Saddle Creek, 2012) and some songs from this forthcoming release made their live debut during Kasher's tour earlier this year (see the live video for "You Scare Me to Death" at the bottom of this post).  Kasher continued to work on this disc over the last year before heading to Electrical Audio studio in his adopted hometown of Chicago, IL in spring 2013.

Adult Films doesn't have a fixed story arc as did The Game of Monogamy but it follows a similar theme of colliding with the onset of middle-age, questioning/regretting life's decisions and not going gentle into that good night. As to be expected, Kasher certainly has his moments of raging "against the dying of the light". Lyrically, Kasher exceeds at turning a phrase (Kasher's resignation is palatable on "Raincloud" - "I’m waiting for my ship to come / I’m afraid it may have sunk") and his subtle wit and self-depreciating bile push both the lyrics and music into the forefront and demand active listening. Musically, this album is predominately comprised of heavily textured indie-pop that falls somewhere between the lush orchestration of The Game of Monogamy and Cursive's later output. The music rises and falls along with Kasher's narration and state of mind and some of the songs are musically dense and claustrophobic while others are open and almost Americana sounding.

The disc start on an upbeat note with "American Lit" which is a herky-jerky, organ-driven number where Kasher reminisces about his never-written great American novel ("then the book becomes a film / than the film becomes a modern masterpiece / this is my acceptance speech"). This is followed "Truly Freaking Out" which picks up the tempo and seems to be a short step from spinning totally out of control as Kasher reflects "I was 6 years old learning how to swim / I was 36 wondering how I sunk". It all comes crashing back down with "Where's Your Heart Lie" - a tale of love gone wrong and a couple going through the motions. The upbeat sound of "The Willing Cuckold" hides the song's emotionally cutting lyrics ("I've got my blinders on so I can't see the cruel periphery") and, while the tempo and music stay consistent on the next cut, "Life and Limbo", the song's lyrics about the meaninglessness of the characters' lives show them heading for a crash. As to be expected, the relationship falls apart by the time the hazy and melancholy "Lay Down Your Weapon" starts with its tales of suspected affairs. The next few tracks show Kasher's narrator reflecting on life - "You Scare Me To Death" shows a fear of moving on with new relationships and "A Raincloud Is a Raincloud" is a backward reflection on past life choices. The indie rock "bounce" comes back up on this last cut and "A Looping Distress Signal" is the closest Kasher comes on this outing to Cursive's jagged indie-rock bombast. The disc ends with the reflective and introspective "A Lullaby, sort of".



Tim Kasher Fall 2013 Tour Dates:
OCT. 05 -- OMAHA, NE THE WAITING ROOM
OCT. 06 -- DENVER, CO LARIMER LOUNGE
OCT. 08 -- SALT LAKE CITY, UT URBAN LOUNGE
OCT. 09 -- BOISE, ID NEUROLUX
OCT. 10 -- PORTLAND, OR DOUG FIR LOUNGE
OCT. 11 -- VANCOUVER, BC ELECTRIC OWL
OCT. 12 -- SEATTLE, WA BARBOZA
OCT. 15 -- SAN FRANCISCO, CA RICKSHAW STOP
OCT. 16 -- SANTA CRUZ, CA CREPE SHOP
OCT. 17 -- SANTA ANA, CA CONSTELLATION ROOM
OCT. 18 -- LOS ANGELES, CA THE ECHO
OCT. 19 -- LAS VEGAS, NV BACKSTAGE BAR
OCT. 21 -- SAN DIEGO, CA THE CASBAH
OCT. 22 -- PHOENIX, AZ CRESCENT BALLROOM
OCT. 23 -- TUCSON, AZ CLUB CONGRESS
OCT. 25 -- DALLAS, TX THREE LINKS
OCT. 26 -- AUSTIN, TX RED 7
OCT. 27 -- HOUSTON, TX FITZGERALDS
OCT. 29 -- TALLAHASSEE, FL CLUB DOWNUNDER
OCT. 30 -- ORLANDO, FL THE SOCIAL
NOV. 02 -- ATLANTA, GA THE EARL
NOV. 03 -- RALEIGH, NC KINGS BARCADE
NOV. 05 -- WASHINGTON, DC ROCK AND ROLL HOTEL
NOV. 06 -- BROOKLYN, NY THE BELL HOUSE (Tickets are $15 and the show starts at 9PM)
NOV. 07 -- BOSTON, MA BRIGHTON MUSIC HALL
NOV. 08 -- PROVIDENCE, RI THE MET
NOV. 09 -- PHILADELPHIA, PA JOHNNY BRENDA’S
NOV. 11 -- CLEVELAND, OH GROG SHOP
NOV. 12 -- DETROIT, MI MAGIC STICK LOUNGE
NOV. 13 -- CHICAGO, IL THE EMPTY BOTTLE
NOV. 14 -- ST. LOUIS, MO FIREBIRD
NOV. 15 -- IOWA CITY, IA THE MILL
NOV. 16 -- MINNEAPOLIS, MN TRIPLE ROCK
* all dates with Laura Stevenson and the Cans



Links:
Tim Kasher

The Sons and Heirs (Smiths Tribute Band) Play A Morrissey Birthday Celebration at The Bell House on May 22nd

This looks like fun...

"The music of Morrissey, Johnny Marr and co. lives on with The Sons and Heirs, a NYC-based tribute band that brings the experience of seeing The Smiths live to the stage. Singer Ronnissey, guitarist Ravi Marr. bassist Christian Rourke and drummer Jonathan Joyce recreate the songs and stage performance of The Smiths with stunning authenticity and attention to detail, right down to the last gladioli left on stage when the band is through."

Raven and Crow Design Studio is hosting a Morrissey birthday celebration at The Bell House on Wednesday, May 22nd. The show includes a live set by The Sons and Heirs (NYC's Tribute to The Smiths and Morrissey), DJ Matt Heart Spade and a reading by Tony Fletcher, author of "A Light That Never Goes Out: The Enduring Saga of The Smiths". No clue on what to think about the "Smiths-inspired congregation of food, fashion and culture" that is also listed as part of the evening's activities. Earlier this year, Fuse.tv had but forward some suggestions for vegetarian menu options inspired by the Morrissey/Smiths catalog.

*This Charming Yam
*The Lettuce Head Master Ritual
*The Boy with the Corn as His Side
*Panic in the Leafs of London
*Figmouth Strikes Again
*Vicar in a Tofu

Tickets for the show at The Bell House are $12 in advance and $15 DOS - doors are at 8PM. For those who pre-order tickets, the fine folks at Raven + Crow Studio are doing weekly giveaways (link).

The Sons and Heirs at The Bell House with special guest Andy Rourke


Links:
The Sons and Heirs

The Felice Brothers Release Video for "Ponzi" // Shows at The Bell House on 5/18 & 5/19

Last week, The Felice Brothers released their fourth disc, Celebration, Florida, which also marks their debut on the Fat Possum label. This disc is an adventurous step forward for the band as they combine their core "Americana" sound with elements of acid jazz, bass-heavy dance beats, pounding tribal drums and a mixture of sound bites to come up with an eleven-track offering that is both darkly beautiful but subliminally disturbing.

The band just released the first video from this new disc for the song "Ponzi".



The Felice Brothers are playing two shows later this week at The Bell House on May 18th and 19th. The opening bands for both nights are Shovels and Rope and Rig 1. Advance tickets for each of the nights is $20.

Links:
The Felice Brothers

Detroit Garage Rockers The Sights Play Shows at Maxwells (Feb. 15th) and The Bell House (Feb. 18th) Next Week

DOWNLOAD: The Sights - "How Do You Sleep?"
DOWNLOAD: The Sights - "Guilty"

(photo: Doug Coombe)
Now that the White Stripes have called it a day, The Sights are now the uncontested champions of Detroit blues-rock. The band is touring behind their fourth LP, Most of What Follows Is True (Alive Records), which was recorded at Jim Diamond’s (White Stripes, Electric Six, Dirtbombs) Ghetto Recorders in Detroit and released late last year.

“Most of What Follows is rooted in the tough, straightforward, R&B-based rock that's the Sights' bread and butter, though the pedal steel on "I Left My Muse" suggests they've also been listening to some classic country sides, and "Maria" is spot-on pure pop. The album is long on great tunes and rock & roll swagger, but Baranek and his latest edition of The Sights (Dave Lawson on bass, Gordon Smith on keys, and Skip Denomme on drums) never sound arrogant or gimmicky -- what comes through most strongly on Most of What Follows is the sound of four guys playing rock & roll because they love it, and even when the music takes a dark detour on "Take & Take" or slips into the blues on "Back to You," there's an honest joy and enthusiasm that infuses the music at every turn. Baranek sings with an unaffected passion and force that's truly impressive while he and his bandmates play with lots of heart and soul and no false moves; this is strong, rootsy, meat-and-potatoes rock & roll played with gravity, skill, and the enthusiasm of true fans.” – ALL MUSIC GUIDE

For the show at Maxwell's on Feb. 15th, The Sights are playing with The Godfathers and Frosting. Tickets are $15 in advance and $17 DOS.

For the show at The Bell House on Feb. 18th, The Sights are playing with Reigning Sound and Guitar Lightnin'. Tickets are $13 in advance and $15 DOS.

Links:
The Sights

Tennis Releases First Video in Advance of Debut CD "Cape Dory" // Shows in Brooklyn and NYC in March

Denver lo-fi duo Tennis are releasing their debut CD Cape Dory next Tuesday on Fat Possum. SPIN has already called the disc “(almost) too good to be true”, giving it an 8 out of 10 review in their current issue. The release includes all songs from this summer’s 7” EP, "South Carolina", which is lauded by The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly and more.

The pair, consisting of guitarist Patrick Riley and vocalist Alaina Moore, met while studying philosophy in college. Motivated by stories shared by sailors including Joshua Slocum, and Lin and Larry Pardey, the two sold their collective possessions, bought an old sailboat and embarked on 7-month journey along the Eastern seaboard. Upon their return, and in search of an outlet to catalog their experience, the couple began writing music together.

The resulting lo-fi sound is inspired by the minimalist lifestyle they experienced on their adventure. Riley explains, “Simplicity and self-sufficiency were our highest priorities. When we were on the boat—no cell phones, no internet, no electricity most of time, having to do everything yourself—made its way into our album by not having a producer, recording it ourselves, mixing it ourselves, very little production, etc.”

Riley continues “Anytime we could make a song simpler, we did. There is very little tracking or overdubbing on the album. We didn’t want to use production tricks to make things sound ‘better.’ No vocal doubling, no harmonizers, no auto-tune.”

The band just made available a video for the song "Pigeon" (directed by Jeremy D'Souza and Scott Laidlaw) and are touring the East Coast in late February/early March.



Tennis' Tour Dates
January 27 -- Urban Lounge, Salt Lake City, UT
January 28 -- The Neurolux, Boise, ID
January 29 -- Mississippi Studios, Portland, OR
January 31 -- Media Club, Vancouver, BC
February 01 -- The Crocodile, Seattle, WA
February 03 -- Bottom of the Hill, San Francisco, CA
February 04 -- Echo, Los Angeles, CA
February 05 -- The Tin Can Ale House, San Diego, CA
February 07 -- Hotel Congress, Tucson, AZ
February 08 -- Rhythm Room, Phoenix, AZ
February 10 -- Hi Dive, Denver, CO
February 17 -- Jackpot, Lawrence, KS
February 18 -- Slowdown, Omaha, NE
February 19 -- 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis, MN
February 21 -- High Noon Saloon, Madison, WI
February 22 -- Lincoln Hall, Chicago, IL
February 25 -- Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto, ON
February 26 -- Il Motore, Montreal, QC
February 27 -- Iron Horse, Northampton, MA
February 28 -- Great Scott, Boston, MA
March 02 -- Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY
March 03 -- The Bell House, Brooklyn, NY
March 04 -- Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA
March 05 -- Rock and Roll Hotel, Washington, DC
March 07 -- Local 506, Chapel Hill, NC
March 08 -- Grey Eagle, Asheville, NC
March 10 -- The Basement, Nashville, TN
March 11 -- The Earl, Atlanta, GA
March 12 -- The Social, Orlando, FL
March 13 -- The Orpheum, Tampa, FL
March 15 -- The Parish @ HOB, New Orleans, LA

Here is a live video from the band's performance last year at Glasslands.



Links:
Tennis

Agnostic Front - "Victim In Pain" (1984) Lineup Reunites for 25th Anniversary Show at The Bell House

Agnostic Front's 1984 / Victim In Pain lineup is reuniting for one show at The Bell House on February 26th. This show is all ages; tickets are $15 and doors are at 8PM.

Roger Miret, Vinny Stigma, Rob Kabula and Dave Jones haven't played together since 1984. “This is the CLASSIC lineup together again doing vintage AF songs and some classics. We couldn’t be more excited to do this!” said vocalist Roger Miret.

To help Agnostic Front commemorate the 25th anniversary since the original release of Victim In Pain, Bridge Nine Records has put together a proper reissue. Victim In Pain has been given extra special treatment, with a gatefold LP cover, complete with a dirty gold metallic ink with an embossed logo & title. The gatefold opens up to the original handwritten layout of the first pressing, and later censored original cover is printed full size on the front and back of the dust sleeve.

Bridge Nine Records has also reissued Agnostic Front's 1983 debut EP "United Blood" which has a similar metallic ink & embossed logo front cover and also has the original cover design printed in black and white on the enclosed dust jacket.

Links:
Agnostic Front
Bridge Nine Records

Grant Hart (x-Nova Mob, Husker Du) Plays The Bell House on Monday, June 1st

Grant Hart (x-Husker Du, x-Nova Mob) is playing a rare solo show Monday night at The Bell House. Grant has a new album in the can and it is his first since 1999's Good News for Modern Man. The new disc was recorded in Montreal with members of A Silver Mt. Zion and Godspeed You! Black Emperor and in Minneapolis with members of Rank Strangers and Fat Kid Wednesdays. The first track from this release, "School Buses Are For Children", is streaming on Grant's MySpace page.

Based on some of the set lists that I've seen, Grant is playing a good mix of solo material and Husker Du songs on his current tour. Here is the set list from the show a few nights ago in Rochester.

Grant Hart — Bug Jar, Rochester NY, 26 May 2009

Remains To Be Seen
You Don't Have To Tell Me Now
You're the Reflection Of The Moon On The Water
The Girl Who Lives On Heaven Hill
Never Talking To You Again
2541
[new song] ("words of a friend...out for an evening")
Barbara
A Letter From Anne Marie
She Floated Away
Terms Of Psychic Warfare
Diane
Green Eyes
Don't Want To Know If You Are Lonely
Books About UFOs

Tickets for Monday's show are $10 and Grant is playing with Death Vessel and Kevin Barker.