I went to see Grand Archives last night and was kind of blown away by how their already very pretty songs opened up on the live stage.
It also proved, beyond doubt, that 2008 is the year of high male harmonies, as Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, and Grand Archives all build their sound, to some extent, on falsetto in close thirds. Grand Archives is based more in a 1970s pop aesthetic...If I say that they remind me, at times, of America, Seals & Croft and Nilsson, you'll just have to take my word for it that I like them anyway.
Here's some live footage from what I think is their CD release party.
Sub Pop is giving away an MP3 of "Miniature Birds": http://www.subpop.com/assets/audio/4253.mp3
I'll be writing something marginally more coherent about the show for Blurt.com fairly soon. Meanwhile, see for yourself. It's definitely worth going.
Jun 11 2008 9:00P
GREAT SCOTT BOSTON, Massachusetts Jun 12 2008 9:00P
JOHNNY BRENDA'S PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania Jun 13 2008 9:00P
BOWERY BALLROOM NYC, New York Jun 15 2008 9:00P
ROCK & ROLL HOTEL DC, Washington DC Jun 17 2008 9:00P
LOCAL 506 CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina Jun 18 2008 9:00P
THE EARL ATLANTA, Georgia Jun 19 2008 9:00P
EXIT/IN NASHVILLE, Tennessee Jun 20 2008 9:00P
STICKY FINGERZ LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas Jun 21 2008 9:00P
STUBBS JR. AUSTIN, Texas Jun 22 2008 7:30P
THE CAVERN DALLAS, Texas Jun 24 2008 9:00P
SANTA FE BREWING CO. ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico Jun 25 2008 9:00P
PLUSH TUCSON, Arizona Jun 26 2008 9:00P
CASBAH SAN DIEGO, California Jun 27 2008 9:00P
THE ECHO LOS ANGELES, California Jun 28 2008 9:00P
SLIM'S SAN FRANCISCO, California Jul 13 2008 5:00P
SP20 FESTIVAL MARYMOOR PARK, Washington
My Trusted MOGs
"2008 is the year of high male harmonies" -- Christ, I've yet to sample anything of the 2008 vintage.
If it weren't for MOG, I think I'd still be a 20th century man musically speaking. So many thanks indeed for your expert recommendations, Jenny.
May I ask which 2008 albums you've particularly enjoyed so far?
My Trusted MOGs
Um, yeah, I just did a mid-year round-up for Dusted actually, so I've thought about it a little bit. My favorites so far are
Big Dipper Supercluster: The Big Dipper Anthology (Merge) (A reissue, but way ahead so I'm breaking my usual rules against old stuff in new lists.) Experimental Aircraft Third Transmission (Graveface) Human Bell Human Bell (Thrill Jockey) Thalia Zedek Band Liars & Prayers (Thrill Jockey) Retribution Gospel Choir Retribution Gospel Choir (Caldo Verde)
And further down: Bon Iver For Emma, Forever Ago Mahjongg Kontpab Nick Cave Dig Lazarus Dig Kelley Stoltz Circular Sounds Stars Like Fleas The Ken Burns Effect
I'm sure I'm forgetting some good ones.
How about you?
My Trusted MOGs
I don't think I've listened to anything that's released this year except maybe for Erykah Badu's "New Amerykah Part 1" and Au's "Verbs." Other than that, I've been listening to older stuff. (I'm immersed in Monk's music right now)
That's why I was hoping you could give a quick list of albums to check out for myself. Again, thank you ever so much for giving me all those names which are all unknown to me but for Big Dipper (and the usual suspects above).
{Looks my notifs are down again}
My Trusted MOGs
I like the Au. I reviewed it for Blurt, I think, but it hasn't run yet. Blurt hasn't gone live yet, but it will pretty soon. I enjoyed the Erykah Badu, too, though I've listened to it maybe only two or three times all the way through.
I found it harder than usual to come up with a list, because there's a ton of stuff that I like just fine, but hardly anything that stands out. I mean, once I start putting things like Bon Iver and Nick Cave on there, there are probably 10 more records that I like equally well...no disrespect to either, but there's not a big cliff after the first ten.
My Trusted MOGs
Jenny...I live in Seattle have yet to see Grand Archives live. I should be ashamed of myself, I know.
Just for fun: the salon that I get my hair cut in is owned by the wife of the man who owns the studio Grand Archives mixed the latest CD in. I just living here. :)
My Trusted MOGs
Amber, go, they're really good live...in fact, if I lived in Seattle (or could find a really cheap plane ticket there) I would be all over SP 20. Are you going?
I imagine you have to step over rock bands on your way to work in Seattle...I saw Erika Elder at the Brattleboro Co-op once, and the Feathers people are around, but nothing like what you've got.
My Trusted MOGs
I was at the Earl...Great show and the band seemed very appreciative of the positive response of the crowd...So appreciative in fact that it makes me wonder what's been going on at their other shows? Great EP, great full length and great live sounds...Not sure why their shows are not selling out and being well received. But then again, it wouldn't have been so easy for us to enjoy the show if it was packed out...Also, Sera Cahoone deserves some props too...She's fantastic.