Friday, November 16, 2007
 

I'm not going to say too much about it, as I simply went to have fun and not take notes and pictures, but last night the 1990s, Art Brut and the Hold Steady put on one of the better shows that I've seen all year.  With that being said, let's move on to Daptone Records and their remix compilation.  That's right, today I remixes, which are pretty much an item that rarely ever gets posted here since I tend to sort of dislike what most people do with songs that I like.  However, the kids that worked on this record did a stellar job, so I'm really excited to be sharing their work.  Not to mention the fact that it gives me one more reason to write about the woman who has put out one of my favorite records this year, Sharon Jones.  Get ready to dance.  Enjoy.

:Sharon Jones And The Dap Kings - Keep On Looking (Kenny Dope Remix):  As should be expected, the original is definitely more straight to the point and doesn't waste any time grooving.  Here though, Kenny Dope makes sure that there is plenty of time to break a sweat out on the dance floor.  The first two and half minutes is a pure soul funk jam that starts with Sharon quickly making an appearance by saying "break it down" and then disappearing just as fast so that the music can run wild.  I think I could listen to this forever.

:Sharon Jones And The Dap Kings - How Long Do I Have To Wait For You? (Ticklah Remix):  Where Keep On Looking sort of builds and then sweeps all around this song jumps on one particular groove right at the beginning and let's Sharon carry the weight with her voice.  This, of course, could be looked at as a total cop out given that she has a voice good enough to rule the world if she wanted, but I'm going to say that it was a stroke of brilliance.  Download this as soon as possible.
 

- Architecture In Helsinki -

On a show related side note, I saw Architecture In Helsinki with Panther and Glass Candy at a packed Emo's a couple of nights ago.  It was fun.

Since so much of his music is abstract beyond reason Panther is an artist that you most definitely need to know the songs to have a good time with his set.  If you don't then it becomes really easy to sort of get lost in the myriad of bizarre vocals and sounds that are thrown at you.  Now, this isn't to say he isn't worth your time.  I just want you to go a little prepared, so hit up Myspace or something beforehand.

Ragging on a band that I don't know really isn't something that I like to do, but it's been a long time since I've seen what I will now forever call a Glass Candy -- a show with absolutely nothing worth remembering.  This synth-heavy duo were awful.  Each song sounded the same, they had absolutely no onstage chemistry, and there was a lot of awkward dancing in between even more awkward rambling.  I honestly had no idea what they were trying to accomplish, and it pains me that they exist.

Architecture In Helsinki were spot on, which wasn't necessarily a surprise as much as it was a relief.  With such a joyous sound that relies so heavily on energy it seems as if it would be really easy to fall flat if everyone wasn't completely into it, but the Australian collective left me thinking that they never have such a problem.  In addition to the passion that they displayed I thought that they also did a great job in playing a good mix of songs from their back catalog in their hour long set.  Though, they could have done nursery rhymes and it wouldn't have mattered as long as they put Heart It Races in there somewhere.  That gem is easily one of the best songs of 2007.

Sadly, there was one thing that was disappointing about the show, and it was that the band clearly noted that they will not be returning for a long time.  Apparently they would like to take what is known as a break.  Bummer.

- Panther -


- Glass Candy -


- Cameron Bird -


- Kellie Sutherland -

- John Laird -



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