Adam and Jeremy Say: A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words and in this case A Million Notes.

Pitchfork Media has this great Year End Photo Essay up right now that you should totally see...(click the photo to link to the page.)

Not only are the photos amazing, but if you have had the chance to see any of the performers pictured you know that the photos do an amazing job of capturing what it was like to be there and see them live... even if you are not into music or whatever the artistry and quality of the photographs make click over to Pitchfork worth the effort.

Adam Says: Rock N Roll Is Alive and Well In Austin Texas... Trust Me.

Dude I am back... and the weekend was great! The Austin City Limits Music Festival was totally worth every cent and all the pain of traveling....


A Few Random Observations:
I never though I would find an airport I liked less than Atlanta... then I met Dallas' DFW... and Atlanta is a close second.

At one point I was in an airplane that i literally smaller than a school bus... I am not just saying that for effect... I literally could not stand up inside of it, and leg room... forget it.

Texas is a Southwestern state and not a Southern State... I know this because I couldn't find a glass of sweet tea to save my life.


On to the festival...


Friday:
The wife and I hit Zilker Park just as LCD Sound system hit the stage, and we were pumped... that lasted about three minutes... then we realized that there may not be a single sober person on the stage... so we ducked out early to catch the last bit of the MIA show... I regret not seeing all the MIA show... talk about energy.






Spoon was next up in the line up, playing the same time as Queens of the Stone age... bummer, Once again we were pretty geared up for the deal, but I quickly became bored as I can only bob my head and sway in a hipster cool manner for so long before I actually fall asleep. Now I remember why I can never justify buying an entire Spoon CD... these guys are too cool for their own good.



We didn't see it coming but catching the Kaiser Chief's show next was the highlight of the night! Honestly they are a bunch of bloated brits who play music from the gut. The really got me going, even though the lead singer sprained his ankle in a strange stage move that involved climbing up and down the scaffolding and then running across the stage to crash into the guitarist... whatever I suggest you check out "I Predict A Riot" "Ruby" and the "Angry Mob" all Kaiser Chief songs I guarantee you will love.

Before we headed over to see Bjork we decided to stop for a moment to see the opening of the Killers set... well we wanted to but instead we saw ten minutes of hype video and then a group of what looked like Vegas Show Girls took the stage to play less than catchy electro-pop... gag... bring on Bjork.

Bjork was and is the most interesting performance I will ever see... a spectacle yes, but a spectacle built on a pretty amazing talent.










Saturday:
Kick off the day with the most over hyped band of recent memory... the Cold War Kids... yeah there was no way their show could live up to the hype... but I still like their music... I just wouldn't pay money to them live.


because of the White Stripes backing out Damien Rice got bumped back in the day and we ended up missing him all together, but we did manage to see then end of the St. Vincent set and yes she humbly sung her little heart out to a crowd of new converts.


After some expensive festival food we enjoyed the completely nominal sounds of Andrew Bird (he likes to whistle) as we waited for the Arctic Monkeys to take the stage. I will admit that I was disappointed by these boys' second album,. but they took that disappointment right out of me... opening with a ridiculous Zeppelin-esc riff that cut right into the meat of their set... I think they played all of three tracks from the new album, but those sounded as great as the rest of the deal... and to top it all off I could barley decipher their stage banter through their thick cockney accents... which of course is the most rock n roll thing you can do on stage... all of that to say that you should go pick up every Arctic Monkeys album ever and enjoy.

After Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah did their little pop diddy thing Arcade Fire took the stage among the deafening buzz of anticipation. So if the Cold War Kids were a disappointment because of their hype the Arcade Fire were amazing inspite of the hype... sure everyone was going on about how great these guys were, but no amount of talk or type could really describe the amazing passion with which they played their indie anthems. I am still sore about not getting to see Jack and Meg, but the Arcade Fire was a great consolation prize.


Sunday:
We started the day of with Mr. Nice Guy, Ben Kweller, yep he was as nice as everyone says... and yep that's about all I can say.


Next we rolled over to see DeVotchKa play... next to the Ghostland Observatory these guys were creating the most buzz on Sunday... and well the stunk. I would rather see Gogol Bordello do their own punk version of Gypsy music... this was not so much gypsy punk as gypsy lounge act... gross right?


The most humble performer of the whole festival had to be Regina Spektor who absolutely floored the crowd with her charm, wit, and amazing vocal talent. She was nothing if not enchanting... so much so that I now must see her when she comes to Richmond in November.





Dylan closed out the night, but before we could see the Legend himself we needed to see a legend in the making. The Decemberist were amazing... okay so I am totally bias, and so every bit of pomp and swagger took me right in... Meloy is the best story teller in the industry right now, and the the assembled band has all the musical talent to make sure those stories are heard... literally this was the only band that had me wanting more by the time they left the stage... ah yes... there will be more...


Finally Dylan closed the festival... his voice may be fading, but his genius is still here and that is all there is to say about that...











After thoughts:
I was bummed I missed Ghostland Observatory and Damien Rice... but it happens... so here is hoping I win the raffel to fifty dollar tickets to next years event.

Adam and Jeremy Say: Music Mania!

The Countdown is Over... Sorta
The rumors are correct; www.ratm82407.com counted down to a one off show for Rage Against the Machine in Wisconsin. Now we can only wait and posture as to what it will count down to in August? A fall tour? A new album? Whatever the case this has to be one of the best promotional stunts I have seen in the last month.




June 19th to Be Declared National Holiday by Adam and Jeremy!

Everyone I know is excited about the release of the White Stripes new album "Icky Thump" next Tuesday (June 19th) ((Adam's Birthday!!!)), but there are couple of other releases hitting next week that you should get stoked about:

Project 86 - Rival Factions


This Hard rock Christian band challenges the "Christian" stereotype by writing songs about the struggles and failures of faith, and not just the Jesus Loves You stuff. The music is hard, fast, foreboding and passionate and totally Adam and Jeremy approved!


Mooney Suzuki - Have Mercy


Like three years ago these garage revivalist where the next big thing, ala the Strokes, but things did not really pan out... they sold their souls to car commercials and never really lived up to the hype, but this just may be their chance to redeem themselves. We are told this is a more mature album... that's critic talk for "more technically complicated and therefore slower." Well I wont hold my breath, but it will be worth a listen.



M.I.A Cure Epilepsy With Old is New Video.

Check it out! The New MIA video for "Boyz," yeah she is taking this 80's revival thing to the limit, but we are oddly attracted to it... read more at stereogum.

Manson to MCR: "No Seriously I Think You Guys Suck."
Here is the latest in the Marylin Manson Vs. My Chemical Romance beef: My Chemical Romance find it hard to take Marylin Manson seriously. Well join the team guys.

Mediocrity Rules!
AOL is streaming new stuff from Queens of the Stone Age, Paramore, and Toby Keith... Am I the only one who is beginning to lose hope? Oh that John Lennon tribute album drops this week... which is important only because it raises funds for Darfur.

The Fiery Furnaces are threatening to take Ryan Adams "Most prolific song writer" title.
The Fiery Furnaces have a new record label (Thrill Jockey) as well as a new Record "Widow City" that will drop October 23rd.

Rufus Wainright Live in Concert

You can hear the entire June 9th Rufus Wainright concert for free right now on NPR. Think of all those suckers who actually paid to see him live, they must be ticked!

Transformers Take Cue from Spidey.

The Transformers have taking a cue from the highly successful Spider Man 3 soundtrack, and have loaded up their very own sound track with a shockingly high testosterone version of Spideys indie influenced line up. So instead of Snow Patrol and the Flamming Lips, The Transformers soundtrack will feature cuts from the Smashing Pumpkins, Linkin Park, The Used, Goo Goo Dolls, and a unique take on the cartoons original theme song by Mute Math. You can here the theme song on Mute Maths myspace page. And since we are talking about Mute Math I figure its a great time to play their buzz worthy backwards video for "Typical"... That was your cue to click, well if that didn't work click here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b13rc6DY74A

Interpol

Hey Interpol has a new album hitting in July... they call it "Our Love to Admire," we call it ode to Joy Division 3, but at any rate it should be good... check out their new website and here the first cut from the disc.

Velvet Revolver Cause International Incident

So this should come as no surprise that members of Guns N Roses and Stone Temple Pilots are in trouble with the law again, but it is kind of odd that a group of notorious chain smoking drinkers would get themselves in hot water for smoking during a show, but apparently there is a law against that in Wales... call the UN we may have hit critical mass Here! Whatever NME has the whole story.

Arcade Fire: "The Price Is Wrong Bob."

Arcade Fire = Critically acclaimed indie rock. Arcade Fire = Artistic Integrity. Arcade Fire = Guerrilla Marketers? Yeah well something like that just check out this video of a recent Price is Right episode and see if you notice any familiar faces wearing promotional t-shirts for the Arcade Fire's latest album "Neon Bible."

Adam and Jeremy say: Elton John and Kings of Leon Ring My Bell

Of all the new albums that AOL is streaming this week it is not Chevelle or The Academy Is... that have caught the ears of Adam and Jeremy, but Elton John! Go figure a greatest hits album by the queen of Adult Pop hits has way more songs that Adam and Jeremy know by heart than they would like to admit, but those standards easily surpass disappointing efforts by Chevelle and The Academy Is...



However, if you are a fan of Tool and the rest of the "Modern Rock Radio" rubbish that pervades sports video games these days then Chevelle still may be something you are into, and so we provide you a link. Adam and Jeremy are both disappointed that a band that once was so uncomercial and so edgy has now become shill for corporate rock... disillusioned is the word Adam used to describe his feelings.... by the way Adam and Jeremy never expected anything out The Academy Is... so they could care less that the album is total bomb.

On a brighter note the Kings of Leon have also released a new album "Because of the Times." The jam-y southern garage rock has earned the ire of some critics, who are still comparing them to "the Strokes of the south" and are not stoked about the less than structured layout of their latest. Adam and Jeremy say the music is as hot as a Nashville summer and you should check it out!



Play Kings of Leons On Call

Oddly enough, Adam and Jeremy didn't even know that Derek Webb had another new album coming out till last week, and after finding out yesterday that the album is being accompanied by a graphic novel(authored by D. Webb), they couldn't not contain their excitement. This is why you are seeing a post on it now instead of the normal Tuesday time slot here on the Adam and Jeremy Show... I mean Adam and Jeremy Blog.

The Ringing Bell hits music stores and ITunes May one. If you're like Adam and Jeremy you probably wont wait to pre-order the album and book.

Swing on over to the Ringing Bell website and you can listen to some full length tracks(which are totally rockin). They remind me of little Sufan Stevens or Ryan Adams. An interesting path that Webb has only touched on in his previous "folky" albums. Also on the website you can preview some of the book, so make sure you check it out now!

And....in your spare time, read the article in USA today about Webb!

Whilst sipping tea the Parasol Party today we happened to meander onto Relevants' website and low and behold there was a new review of Arcade Fire's "Neon Bible" URGH! We love Relevant Media and we love to plug them, but honestly this took far too long. The album was great and that's why we told you so... two weeks ago... at any rate go and check out the review... plus there is some other good stuff in there about other music that has biblical themes.

By now you have all hear about Keith Richards snorting his father... like a line of coke... and the denial/spin that has ensued... here is a great take on it from stereogum.com

Jeremy Says: We sing along, to every word and song

Four Score and Seven Years ago our fore rockers brought forth on this art a way for young and hostile folks to express the cathartic feelings.

Today the new album from Relient k hits the record stores. Not exactly a "cathartic" album, but one that you can have fun with while relieving your tension. You can stream some of the songs from their website, so check it out and go buy it.

Here is what the gospel music channel had to say “The name Relient K has always been synonymous with some of the most contagious power pop/punk rock, tongue in cheek songwriting and feel good fun anyone could ever ask for. But since the band's infancy, there has also been an upward evolution that includes tighter musicianship, increased songwriting smarts and a high-octane stage show regarded by fans at sold out shows from coast to coast...it's evident that Relient K thrive on raising the bar with each release”

We Christians often like to question a bands sincerity on their faith by listening to their songs, but there is really only one way to do that.
Know the guys personally.

Here’s a quote from lead singer Matt Thiessen on the subject of spiritual influence in this new album: "We're not trying to hide anything with the songs on this record, just to get what we feel out there," Thiessen summarizes. "We've also found it to be the hardest thing in the world to say 'Jesus' in a song and not be cheesy, so we definitely have our own way of singing about spirituality. But in the end that's who we are and what we believe in. We hope between that and the music, it connects with someone out there."

So, go buy the new album. Dance in your car with the stereo cranked to 11(or 40 if you have a new Panasonic stereo). Go see them live, and try to remember how it was fun to sing along.

Adam's Note: Am I the only one who finds it ironic that Arcade Fire's Neon Bible would release the same week as Relient K? Ah well, both albums are great so go pick them up today!