Free Press Summerfest 2010 (Day Two)

We arrived in downtown Houston during one of the worst rainstorms I've seen in the last several months.  About half a mile down the road was the entrance to the festival; in between, several thousand gallons of water falling from the sky.  Thank god for that plastic tablecloth that we just so happened to find in the trunk of the car.  It was not only a makeshift group umbrella, but a cape, and later, a place to sit on the muddy, slick hill facing the stage in Eleanor Tinsley Park.  Today was going to be an awesome day whether the weather wanted it to be or not.  My only goal was to get a quality seat at the main stage and enjoy myself.  And I did.

Stars

Stars has been on my live band bucket list for years now, and the opportunity to see them live was just as awesome as I had always hoped!  I had read a few months back that this tour would be filled with mostly new songs, and a few old ones thrown in.  Fortunately, Stars reached deep into their catalogue of pop hits and played their best for the crowd!  "Reunion," "Elevator Love Song," "Your Ex-Lover is Dead," "Midnight Coward;" pretty much every song that any Stars fan has ever loved was played.  And guess what?  They all sound amazing!  Perfect, in fact!

Stars put on a show that was better than I could have anticipated, and from what I could tell, everyone seemed to enjoy them as well.  Their album is due out soon, so check it out when it drops.  The new songs don't sound half bad.

Slim  Thug & Bun B
Alright, so it sort of goes without saying that I'm not the biggest fan of rap music.  But having grown up in Houston, I do have a soft spot for the kind of rap that these guys put out.  And I'll be damned, Slim Thug actually has quite the stage presence, and is kind of fun to watch live!  Seeing a sea of people bounce their heads and do that one-arm, in-tempo thing (kind of like a nazi-salute bouncing up and down), is a cool sight to behold.  On the other hand though, if all you need to do to perform live as a rapper is play your entire song (WITH vocal tracks) and then rap over it, sign me up!

The Flaming Lips
No surprise here, but The Flaming Lips are straight AWESOME live!  I've said it numerous times on this blog before, but for those who may be reading for the first time, I'll reiterate: they put on the best live show you'll ever see!  Seeing the Lips live is like being at a really huge party hosted by the nicest guys on the planet!  This is the third time I've had the good fortune of seeing the band perform live, but it was the first time that I've seen them from a distance (read:  not at the front of the venue being blasted with noise).

It may have been my favorite performance that I've yet seen from them!  They sounded absolutely stunning, and even Wayne Coyne's typically grating voice wasn't all that bad!  It's been 10 years since the band last played Houston.  Welcome back guys!

Final Thoughts

Listen, Houston isn't exactly known for its music scene, so Free Press Houston has had its hands full the last two years trying to remedy that situation.  If this year's lineup is indicative of a coming trend, I welcome it with open arms.  Last year's lineup wasn't half bad, and this year's was better.  Hopefully the hardworking people that made this festival happen can make it even more solid next year!

So yeah, the music lineup wasn't all awesome, but the actual experience of Summerfest is great!  The people are absolutely wonderful (rain or shine or mud), the volunteer staff were helpful in all situations, and portapotties were widely available and, more often than not, clean.  My only concern is that the festival is quickly outgrowing the confines of Eleanor Tinsley Park and the rest of Houston may not be as receptive to such a wild, weekend party.  But this weekend was an absolute blast, and I'd like to personally thank the hundreds of people that made everything run so smoothly for all of us in attendance.

See ya' next year!

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The Top 5 Songs of 2005

I was blogging about music as far back as 2003.  But they were on different blogs, sites, and pages that are now either completely forgotten about, or just plain dead.  On January 24, 2006, a few months before I started Audio Overflow, I posted The Top 20 Songs of 2005 to my myspace blog.  But I just listed the songs, without explanations.  I'm surprised how well this list held up too.  I pretty much agree with the Top 5 still, so that's why I've decided to post it here.  Of course, this time, there are explanations.  Not like it matters.  You won't read them.

#5:  Death Cab for Cutie - "I Will Follow You Into the Dark" - The shining star on Death Cab's 2005 album and major label debut, Plans, was undoubtedly this song.  About love that transcends the boundaries of this life, "I Will Follow You Into the Dark" is arguably the most beautiful Death Cab song of all time.  Simple, poetic, and gorgeous, you can't help but love every bit of this song.  Its place on this list is well-deserved. 

#4:  Sufjan Stevens - "The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades is Out to Get Us" - A song with such a silly name should never be this serious, but leave it to Sufjan Stevens to do the exact opposite of what we'd expect.  This timeless story of childhood friendships, loss, and regret is incredibly poignant, and one of the best songs on the Illinois album.  To many, it went unnoticed as "John Wayne Gacy Jr." and "Chicago" stole the show.  But for me, it remains one of his greatest achievements as a songwriter, and easily one of the best songs of 2005.

#3: Bright Eyes - "Land Locked Blues" - Conor Oberst released two albums in 2005, and this was the best song on either one of them.  I'd be willing to say that it's probably his best song, which for a guy with such an extensive catalog is saying quite a lot.  With stunning lyrics, somber guitars, and convincing vocal performances, there's nothing to not love about this one!  Take this line, for example:  "Greed is a bottomless pit/ and our freedom's a joke, we're just takin' a piss/ and the whole world much watch the sad comic display/ if you're still free start runnin' away/ cause we're coming for you!"  It's followed by a triumphant trumpet solo, which only heightens the impact of it all.  This is truly a perfect song.

#2: Stars - "Your Ex-Lover Is Dead" - This story of two one-time lovers meeting again through chance and reliving old memories in a single night is quite the tale to tackle.  But Stars has never been one to let a difficult subject stop them from making beautiful music.  The lead-off track to Set Yourself on Fire, this is easily their strongest song to date.  Torquil and Amy harmonize beautifully as they sing, "Live through this and you won't look back," oh...and the rest of the song too.  If you've never heard it, shame on you.  I've provided a streaming version below to get you up to speed.

#1:  Sufjan Stevens - "John Wayne Gacy Jr." - In 2007, I made sure that each artist only had one song on the year-end list.  However, prior to all of that, it was never an issue.  That's why Sufjan has two songs on this list.  And can you blame me.  With an album as perfect as Illinois, you can't help but fill the list up with his songs.  Sufjan's song about serial killer, John Wayne Gacy, is a chilling tale, accentuated by the fact that Sufjan draws comparisons between himself and the killer ("In my best behavior/ I am really just like him/ look beneath the floorboards/ for the secrets I have hid").  His vocal performance is unfathomably strong.  They grab you and take you for a ride.  Will you be sympathizing with the killer by the song's end?  Will you be thinking Sufjan is a weirdo?  Either way, you simply can't deny the beauty of this song.  It is easily the best song of 2005, and by far the strongest on Illinois.

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The Top 31 of 2007 - #4

Cale's Pick

Loney, Dear: Loney, Noir

Released: February 6, 2007

If there was ever an album that caught me entirely by surprise this year, it was Loney, Noir. Yet another one of those crazy Swedes who assault us with brilliant music, Emil Svanängen, or "Loney, Dear," has created an album that is endlessly endearing. I have no recollection of how I first came to hear about Loney, Dear, or what drove me to download his debut album here in the states. But I did, and I was immediately blown away by what I heard. Emil's voice is peculiar. At times it can sound confident, yet frail. His lyrics lead you to believe that the overriding characteristic is frailty. The album is unquestionably honest as well, filled with his self-doubt, feelings of insecurity, and declarations of love. You get the feeling that you're reading his diary, or that he's telling you his secrets through his music. How could you not fall in love with that? Quite simply, I couldn't help but do so. I still slip in this album every now and then when I'm driving to work at 5:30am or on a long road trip and I realize that it has not worn on me at all. If anything, it's gotten better. It has been passed over by a lot of folks this year, and for that I'd like to plead with you to give Loney, Noir a shot. It is one of the most beautiful albums to release in 2007, and one I'll continue to listen to and enjoy for years.

For being Swedish, yet really really cool, Loney, Dear makes it to #4 on my list.

The Top 31 Songs of 2007 - #4

"In Our Bedroom After the War" by Stars, from the album, In Our Bedroom After the War.

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Jill's Pick

Tegan and Sara: The Con

Released: July 24, 2007

Up until now, I'd only liked parts of Tegan and Sara albums. In fact, "I Know, I Know, I Know" is in my top 10 list of my favorite songs of all times. Don't even get me started on the simple brilliance that is "My Number". But this is the first time I've listened to one of their albums and just liked it more and more the further into I got. They remind me of how Ani diFranco albums are, all so different from album to album, unafraid to try something...new. I spend so much time with this album in my ears I find something new to admire with every listen.

I'm just going to leave it with this: "Soil, Soil" makes me so happy I can't express it. It's me. I love when lyrics do that.

The best track: "Soil, Soil"

My favorite tracks:

--"The Con"

--"Soil, Soil"

--"Burn Your Life Down"

--"Back in Your Head"

--"Nineteen"

--"Like O, Like H"

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Last Day to Vote for the 4th Annual Cale Awards!!

It's the home stretch. Today is the final day to vote for your favorite and least favorite music of 2007 in the 4th Annual Cale Awards. For this final day, I've decided to bring all the polls here to the main page. Voting will only takes a 1-2 minutes, and seriously, is there anything better for you to be doing right now? I didn't think so.

Below are the categories in which you may vote. I've ordered the categories by vote count, so those that have less votes overall will come first. You know, just to get a larger sample of things. That means the larger categories like Album of the Year or Band of the Year, are towards the bottom. Please vote if you have not yet done so.

Winners will be announced Monday, December 24th.

The Polls are closed. Thanks for voting. Come back Monday, December 24th to see who wins!

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The Top 31 of 2007 - #23

Cale's Pick Stars: In Our Bedroom After the War
Released: September 25, 2007

In Our Bedroom After the War is a disappointment, but not an unexpected one. Stars' first album was mediocre, their second amazing, and their third was brilliance in music form! They had nowhere to go but down. That being said, In Our Bedroom After the War lies somewhere in between Nightsongs and Heart on my scale, which pairs it with the not-so-terrible adjective, "good." It is a good album. Like any good album, it has it's songs that really hit home with you ("Take Me to the Riot," "Midnight Coward," or the title track), and others that get skipped over so many times that you forget what they even sound like ("Window Bird" and "Bitches in Tokyo"). Perhaps the single most disappointing thing, however, is the fact that Stars doesn't seem like they're trying too hard this time out. They are a great pop act for their ability to make their songs seem so effortless (when in reality, writing a good pop song is difficult), but on In Our Bedroom..., a lot of the songs seem forced. "Barricade" is absolutely absurd in it's "I swear I'm going to make you cry by listening to this song" approach, and it succeeds, but they're tears of laughter. And "In Our Bedroom After the War" is a beautiful song, and one of my favorites of 2007, but any Stars fan can point out that it follows the exact same formula as "Your Ex-Lover is Dead" right up to the goosebump-inducing string instrumentation in the coda. Yeah, it's a good album alright, but next time around I'd like to see some innovation. Surprise me Stars! Because as much as I love your music, everyone knows that pop acts won't be around for long if they don't evolve. And I want you to stick around...

For giving it one last ditch effort and still not disappointing entirely, Stars shoots to #23.

The Top 31 Songs of 2007 - #23
"D.A.N.C.E." by Justice, from the album, †

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Jill's Pick

Common: Finding Forever
Released: July 31, 2007

I was hoping that this would be as good, if not better, than "Be" but it's not. It's close enough, though. It's mellow, it's a nice testament to the skills (skillz?) I think Common has: he can put his poetry to music in lovely ways and can tell a hell of a story. I like Common because he's one of those smart lyricists. Not clever, intelligent.

He's also a really snappy dresser, which helps.

Here's the portion of my review that I can't exactly flesh-out, but want to share: (and I say it with this note: I have been trying for two hours to figure out how to put this tactfully and not open a can of worms. If you would like to discuss this with me, please do drop me a line. It's a conversation I'd like to have with someone.)

I have a good word for Common: contradictory. For as much as I appreciate that he raps about his experiences, I respect the fact he brings up topics he finds worthwhile: teen pregnancy, gang violence, racism. I have to question Common while I listen to him, though, because when he preaches about the ill effects racism on his community, I wonder if he realizes he sounds like those he claims to oppress them.

Really, that's the only thing bad you'll ever find me saying about Common.

Oh. Bonus points for using Lily Allen for the hook on "Drivin' Me Wild"!

My favorite: “So Far To Go”

Songs to give a listen to:
--"Drivin' Me Wild"
--"So Far To Go"
--"U, Black Maybe"

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The Top 31 of 2007 - #26

Cale's Pick

The Aliens: Astronomy for Dogs

Released: June 19, 2007

It went under the radar, though I'm not sure why. With as much attention and hype that The Beta Band got back in the day, you would think that what is essentially the reincarnation of the band, The Aliens, would get the same amount of hype. But here we are, six months after the album released and no one's talking about it yet. That's too bad too, because contained on Astronomy for Dogs is a collection of songs written in the vein of 60s and 70s pop rock. They're so faithfully performed by the band, that if it weren't for the superior audio fidelity, you'd swear you were listening to an album that was made from the time period. And it's not just a certain sound either. The Aliens are all over the place, sounding like The Rolling Stones on one song and then going off on a Bee Gees-influenced disco song just a few tracks later! There's not a dull moment on the album, despite the fact that the lyrics are far from desirable (some songs even contain the same lyrics, but not in that cool Sigur Ros type way). In the end, Astronomy for Dogs winds up being a fun album, with no intentions of being anything more. It's not Album of the Year material, but for supplemental music, you'd be hard-pressed to find something better.

For making me wish I lived in a different decade, The Aliens abduct the #26 spot on my list (I really need to stop with these corny lines....).

The Top 31 Songs of 2007 - #26

"Follow Through" by ContraNova, from the album, Infinity in all Directions.

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Jill's Pick

Stars: In Our Bedroom After the War

Released: September 25, 2007

Number of tracks: 13. 12 if you go with my play list. (See below)

The opening track, The Beginning After the End, makes me feel like I'm about to plunge head long into a pool of crystal blue water and tinges that with just a tiny little bit of sadness. I like that feeling.

They're all like cozy little break up songs that make you feel better about heartache. It kind of goes back and forth between spectacular and downhill from there. I keep listening to it to give it a chance and parts of it win me over.

The track note above: Barricade is one of the most unlistenable songs ever. So much so I took it out of the play list, shaping In Our Bedroom After the War into more of an album I can like.

Oddly enough, as I write this, I only have criticisms: Torquil Campbell does a really horrid Morrissey impression and I'd be okay if he wasn't on the album at all. He'd always been Amy Milan's equal but now it seems she's got far more talent than he does. If they took the best halves of this album and Your Ex Lover is Dead, they'd have a super album.

The one saving grace on this album: "Take Me to the Riot"

My favorite tracks:
--"The Beginning After The End"
--"Take Me to the Riot"

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Go News Go! - The Weekly News Recap

General

• I read "Sufjan" so that's all I care about.
• The Mars Volta distracts from the fact that their music is going downhill.
• Portishead album coming soon (I don't care)
• Conor Oberst + M. Ward = Bandmates?
  

Tour Dates

• Stars tour more.
• Hooray to new St. Vincent!
• New Band of Horses tour dates for you to not attend.
• Radiohead dates?! Kinda....
• Arcade Fire
  

Photos

• Electrelane
• Los Campesinos! and Most Serene Republic

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Go News Go! - The Weekly News Recap

Hey kids! Please to enjoy the news!

• Download the new Of Montreal tribute album, Aluminum Plums, for FREE!!!
• Everything you could want to know about Sufjan's BQE Extravaganza!
• Sorry, Jeff :(
• The Decemberists die in fiery automobile accident cancel shows.
• No seriously, how douchy do those guys in the front row look?
• That nursing home needs a curfew.
• The Shins cover Magnetic Fields....really?
• Radiohead sign deal to distribute In Rainbows everywhere but N. America.
• Stars head to Britain in 2008.
• A whole lot of Iron & Wine dates.
• Dear Pitchfork, no one cares!
• Get that subwoofer warmed up...
• Just one more reason to hold off on Rock Band.

Like are we now only spitting eggs.

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Go News Go! - The Weekly News Recap

Why do we all look like worms?

• You had me at "Natalie Portman"
• Oh No! Gwenno's hair!
• It's like....Stars....live.
• Yay! New Portishead! Get those razors sharpened.
• Mars Volta album gets dated!
• Poor, poor, OiNK.
• Bonnie "Prince" Billy covers everone!
• The greatest thing you'll never see.
• Chris Walla tears homeland security a new one!
• Harmonix announces final Rock Band track list. Hello New Pornographers!

Is it because we are made of long, stringy, goo?

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(The Heroic Return Of...) Go News Go - The Weekly News Recap!

Back after what feels like ages, it's the heroic return of Go News Go!; the one feature of Audio Overflow that virtually no one bothers to read. You can thank me later.

• St. Vincent (and others) Live at CMJ.
• Joanna Newsom is on her way to Austin as part of a brief orchestral tour.
• Stars (and others) Live at CMJ.
• Bits and pieces of information about a Radiohead tour that isn't confirmed yet. Wait, what?
• Dan Deacon (and others) Live at CMJ.
• Neko Case reissues on the way.
• If at all possible, avoid these places.
• Of Montreal Live FLAC + their new blog.
• 10th Anniversary Zaireeka Party in Dallas! YAY!
• Chris Walla spills about Homeland Security and the new Death Cab album.

In site news, this Monday, October 22, I will launch an all new feature on Audio Overflow that showcases up and coming bands that you may or may not have heard of. Where will I find said bands? MySpace, of course! So tune in Monday for the Monday MySpace Band Feature where I will review all streaming tracks on their page, give you links and information, and maybe even get in a few words with the band. It will be an interesting failure feature to read.

That's all for this week!

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