looking over your shoulder and setting sail.

As ADD as I am, it means a lot if I can sit through an entire album. Fanfarlo's Reservoir (2009) has had my attention for the past few days. Simon Balthazar's sweet vocals welcome the listener into an indie pop paradise. The five-piece out of London do well to play off of each other and still keep things cohesive.

When I saw the video for "Fire Escape" I was instantly hooked. I am drawn to the concept of the video as well as how it relates to the song.



Also, "Harold T. Wilkins" is one of the catchiest songs I've heard in a while.

the end of the "long-winded funeral".

Before last night, I have never gone into a show with such a mixture of anticipation & anxiety, excitement & melancholy. Seeing Voxtrot and knowing it was their last show was somber. I didn't know if they were going to play all the songs I wanted to hear, and I wanted to cement this band into my mind forever. Needless to say, I should have trusted Ramesh and his boys to put on their show.

Setlist:
1. introduction
2. firecracker
3. raised by wolves
4. kid gloves
5. your biggest fan
6. steven
7. soft & warm
8. mothers sisters daughters wives
9. trepanation party
10. rise up in the dirt
11. the start of something
12. berlin, without return
13. wrecking force
14. missing pieces [encore]

The only things I wish they'd played are "Trouble" and "Whiskey," but I took what I could get and am very pleased with what they chose. It was an energetic performance, and I was surprised to see how many new fans were in the audience. The crowd was very into it, and I was definitely singing along. As the night came to a close I started to get sad, but realized I will always have those memories of seeing them play at Siren Fest and the Cat. And I'm sure that Voxtrot will still play a big part in my music rotation.

chaos and the big sea.

"Creation was an indie, but it didn't wear a cardigan, it didn't apologize".

I have a lot of respect for Creation Records. Spearheaded by Alan McGee and his Biff Bang Pow! bandmates, Creation was at the forefront of British indie labels. They were home to so many great artists from the label's beginnings in 1983 until its dissolution in 1999. Cutting records for Felt, Primal Scream, The Jesus & Mary Chain, and eventually Oasis, Creation made a name for themselves out of excessive debaucherous genius.

I prefer the earlier days before Sony bought-out nearly half of the company. It was a straight-up indie label that gave its unique acts a chance to flourish. From jangly British pop to the origins of shoegaze, Creation succeeded in putting out groundbreaking records. There are many compilations that allow the listener to get a general feel for the label. I am partial to the Creation Purple Compilation (1988). The album has a cohesion, but also highlights the musicality of each of the bands. Below are links to some of my favorite tracks.

"Christine" - The House of Love
"It Happens" - Primal Scream
"She Haunts" - Biff Bang Pow!
For Further Reading...

where the stars always tell the truth.

The latest edition of Thornley & Friends, last night at Solly's Tavern, was dedicated to the departure of the fabulously eccentric Ryan Mitchell. He joined the brothers Thornley on stage, along with Matthew Hemerlein.My favorite tunes were The Four Horseman's "Wait until Spring," and a cover of Chris Isaac's "Wicked Game." The former highlights vocals and finger-picking guitars. It's simple melodies and acoustic tones are mellow and beautiful. "Wicked Game" is obviously on the other end of the spectrum. Hemerlein took on most of the vocals and really impressed me. His timbre has just a touch of grittiness, accentuating the sensuality of the song.

What I loved about this show was the energy. There is a surreal camaraderie when everyone makes it out. DC is a transient city and while people are always coming and going, some things remain the same.

P.S. I slept on this for a minute, but this mix is phemomenal: Sockets Records Spring Mix