New Shiny Toy Guns

So I’ve given myself some time to absorb the two new songs on the interwebs from Shiny Toy Guns: Ricochet and Frozen Oceans. Here are my obviously highly-sought-after thoughts.

Firstly, Ricochet. This song made me very sad. It was trying to be the hard-energy that Le Disko had (well, the second Le Disko, because the first Le Disko was much more shiny and less industrial) but didn’t pull it off. The worst part about this song for me wasn’t that it was bad. I would rather it was bad and at least left a mark. But this was a song that was entirely forgettable. I often had to be reminded the Shinies were even putting out new material. “Oh yeah, they have that one song. I forgot what it’s called… or how it goes…”

Second, Frozen Oceans. This is a solid song. The problem that I see with it? Carah’s vocals suit it better. Simply do. I’m not saying Sisley does a poor job of it. But while listening to it, I get the feeling that it was written with Carah’s voice in mind. It just calls out for her. The song is very good; I actually ripped it and put it on my iPod to listen to. Sound-wise it runs alongside We Are Pilots, except far more epic.

Also, guys, what’s with the indie-pop fotos? I’m a fan of the electro-pop-synth thing you had going on, and this new visual direction has me concerned.

I guess I just have to wait for November. Hopefully things wind up better than what I’m anticipating.

The Graveyard Book, Tomorrow

Just a reminder to all: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman comes out tomorrow. My spoiler-free review is chilling here.

Get on it!

The Real Tuesday Weld

The Real Tuesday Weld – The Day Before You Came (link)

I was undecided between featuring this one or Bathtime in Clerkenwell, but I went with a more “radio-friendly” song. Check their myspace and lament that you’re not in London.

I wonder if they’ll have a show while I’m there…

Does It Offend You Yeah? @ The Great American Music Hall (9/18/08)

I’ve discussed these guys before.

This was a show where even the opener was good. In my opinion, openers have a responsibility to pump up the crowd, and shit, these guys swung it. Team Robespierre had some great crowd interaction, and a solid sound with vocals that hearken back to old punk. I dig.

Also, I got an even better spot than at IAMX. I almost parked on Hemlock, but as I mentioned in my Twitter, parking in the Tenderloin on a street called Hemlock is really just asking for it.

Before DIOYY hopped on stage, I observed the crowd. The faint waft of some pretty bad weed floated my way and a lot of folks had cups of pilsner in their hands. I was nervous. Crowds really can make or break a show experience. But when the band started in, I wormed my way to the middle of the crowd and spent the entire night slam-dancing with some really awesome kids. I sadly had to decline the afterparty at Popscene. Downfall of living nearly an hour south of the city.

A friend of mine chuckled when I said “slam-dancing,” but really, it wasn’t moshing, and I’m not about to call it that.

The sound was amazing. The show was great. The energy was fantastic. If you ever get the chance to go see them play, take it with both hands as I did. I was already a bit tired and not sure if I wanted to go all the way up to SF just to see these guys play. But holy crap, totally worth it.

Also, a protip: if you’re going to stagedive, make sure people are ready to catch you. If you don’t, you’ll fall straight to the floor like that one asshole did.

Oh, and whoever I punched, I’m sorry. I don’t know who you are, but my fist really hurts today, so I figure you’re out there somewhere.

IAMX @ The Great American Music Hall (9/16/08)

Former singer of Sneaker Pimps (I’m sure you remember them), Chris Corner has gone on to new things.

By the by, this is one of my more-favoriter venues. I love Great American Music Hall. What I love even more is that every time I go to San Francisco I find myself relying gradually less on maps and more on instinct. Consider that this is less of a city and more of a warren, built one block at a time. You’ll appreciate my ability to be plopped down in one point and waddle my way to another.

I managed to get a spot not too far from the venue, which is awesome when you consider Geary and Larkin. I am many things, but courageous is not one of them.

I won’t speak on the opener. Suffice to say, I gave them a fair chance, and even looked up their music online. Was none too impressed.

IAMX, though. What a show. Enthusiastic crowd (though far too many toweringly-tall shoes, and I don’t just mean the women–how do you expect to rock out in that kind of footwear?), lightly interactive performance, and I wish they didn’t call it a solo act, because whoever the chick rocking the synth is (absolutely gorgeous, too), she needs more face time. Synth, singing, and even some bass work. Color me impressed.

And while I was there, I saw an advert for Does It Offend You, Yeah? which I absolutely had to see. And thus, I found myself back in the Tenderloin on Thursday.

White Lies

White Lies – Death (link)

They remind me a bit of Interpol and a bit of The Editors. I’m really digging on it.

Bigger is Not Always Better

I’ve discovered that my library (my specific branch) is the largest library west of the Mississippi.

And yet, the only book they have on Slavic mythology is some book on modern Slavic shamanism.

Guys. Seriously. I can’t be the only Slav in the South Bay. This is statistically improbable.

CSS

No, not Cascading Style Sheets.

CSS – Alala

From Sao Paulo, Brazil. Some pretty hot shit, with a really weird video. But if you know me, you know this is exactly the kind of sound I go in for.

Mr. Shivers

I guess I can talk about this now.

Friend of mine (Robert Bennett) is getting published.

When the time comes I’ll be going into greater detail on this. Story-sans-spoilers. Sordid details of his life. Photos of his narwhal-hunting days. As of now it’s too far out to whet appetites. You’ll become bored of hearing it and by the time the thing hits shelves you’ll all be dead inside.

But so’s you know, this is a book I beta’d twice. It’s that goddamn good.

Moving Sucks

So, nobody ever told me exactly how shitty moving is.

I can’t wait until everything’s where it belongs, and things are painted.

Details to come. Maybe. Eventually. When I get some rest. Or something.