Terrible Chris' Fave Albums of 2010, Part the Last

That's right, kids, suck up my wisdom. It'll make you feel good, feel good, feel good...

Next week, back into the swing of 2011.

16. Bonobo, Black Sands--Whether this is the future of trip hop, it's last dying breath or something else entirely, me likey a lot.

17. Tobacco, Manic Meat--This is another one i'm surprised didn't place more prominently on more lists. If you're not into spastic beat music, well, sir, we should part ways here and now.
18. Mount Kimbie, Crooks & Lovers--As if the chilled beats weren't stellar enough, did you catch the ass on that cover? If that didn't make you want to listen to this thing, well, we certainly shouldn't be having this discussion in the first place. Damn Philistine.

19. DREAMEND, So I Ate Myself, Bite by Bite--A stylistic smorgasbord, these cats were only better live.

20. Dirty Projectors & Bjork, MOUNT WITTENBERG ORCA--Who doesn't love oddly beautiful vocal arrangements? Nobody. Not even your grandfather.

(No mp3 for this one, as it's a charity affair, but you can pick it up for yourself here)

ALL MP3 LINKS ONCE AGAIN REMOVED BY ORDER OF THE MAN.

100 Shows of 2010 - #64: Dreamend @ DC9, 9/9/10

Man alive, we Terribles sure have been hitting a lot of shows together lately. I assure you, friends, this doesn't usually happen, and I have rather enjoyed this spate of quality time with my dear better blogging half. On yet another of our evenings together, we found ourselves being Terrible at DC9 (well, before I had to split to head to another show!). I did, however, manage to enjoy quite a delightful set by Dreamend, otherwise known as the brainchild of Ryan from Graveface (and Black Moth Super Rainbow). I'd heard scant little of Dreamend before this show (and managed to miss Ryan when he blew threw town months back with The Appleseed Cast), but hot damn if I wasn't totally swept off my feet! The songs might not sound as they do on record, but being a Gemini I appreciate a little of the musical schizophrenia. And when it sounds this good, well, who cares if the vibe is totally different. I sure don't.

MINI RECAP: Dreamend = Sassily Schizo! Overall Score: B+

My enjoyment began pretty much right after the dynamic duo (much like myself and Chris, obviously) stepped onto the stage. I immediately fell in smit with the live incarnation of Dreamend, all gorgeously ethereal ramblings with guitar and drums. I got a kind of Mogwai vibe, when the noisy Scots tread more delicately and not so destructively (think "New Paths to Helicon 1" etc.). And just as with Mogwai, the boys of Dreamend can get pretty dang aggro in a snap. But how cute was that little cartoon of those be-toga'd Romans (or Greeks, it's all in the interpretation)? Ryan was almost hiding behind his oversized hoodie and some equipment, letting the fuzz (and sometimes his lovely voice) let his presence be known. Pavement also sprang to my mind on certain songs, and when you remind a gal of Pavement and Mogwai in one set, well, you're doing mighty fine. Even more amazing were the shades of my beloved, dearly departed Brits Six By Seven (if you don't know of them, well, check out the brilliant song "European Me", because I heard a lot of it sprinkled hither and thither in this set). It only took about two songs to make me verily distressed to have missed the set back in April. But better late than never, so the saying goes.

A lot of two-person bands tend to throw their hats into the garage ring, but Dreamend waves the flag for fuzzodistortonoisiness, and I find that incredibly fantastic. The band also racked up major points for penning one of my favorite lyrics of the year, with the assertion, "I know just who you think you are". Classic. Dreamend was solid from start to finish, creating a glorious, enchanting dreamscape only to have it grounded by Ryan's perfectly imperfect voice and a swell of gigantic waves of sound. Totally, utterly bitchin.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the set, but lo and behold, Dreamend sunk my battleship. If you get the chance, go check 'em out for damn sure. Don't sleep on this band, or you might just be sorry.

mp3: Magnesium Light (Dreamend from So I Ate Myself, Bite By Bite)

Live Review: Dreamend, Junk Culture and Tobacco; DC9; 9-10-10

Stop me if you've heard this one before, but, yes, Meg and i went to see the following show, too, so you will see her spin shortly. However, the lovely lass was double booked last night, so she only got to see Dreamend open. i certainly hope she had a blast at her prior engagement, as this was one of the most entertaining shows i've seen this year.

The entire night was devoted to digital manipulation, and not the masturbatory kind, either. Each of the three duos used computers, samplers and the like to create unique soundscapes that pushed the boundaries of what a "live band" is and can do. i kind of thought of it as the honky version of what i imagine a Wednesday night at the Low End Theory to be like (with all due respect to Junk Culture's Deepak Mantena).

Opener Dreamend was nothing like their CD had expected me to hear. Whereas the excellent album (quickly making its way into my top ten for 2010) is an almost dream-freak-folk-pop hybrid, on-stage is a horse of a different color. Comprised of Ryan Graveface on guitar and an unnamed drummer (d.kyler, perhaps?; i know little of BMSR), the two were the musicians of the evening. While there were certain tuning issues, the two played a strong set with a lot more speed than their CD counterparts, everything filtered through computers. Graveface mentioned twice, "Why did we play that song so fast? Odd choice." It was a moot point, however, as it was a fantastic set.

Next up was Junk Culture, comprised of the aforementioned Mr. Mantena and a second, different, unnamed drummer (c'mon, bands, take James' advice to heart and give the drummer some, for chrissakes). Let me tell you, this kid on the skins was an absolute beast. i'm still not sure how he kept such a perfect and seemingly wild beat to accompany a sampler, but i'll be damned if he didn't. Mantena was the most engaging performer of the evening, starting seemingly random conversations with the audience, stopping between songs to demand that the crowd inch closer to the stage, and literally leaping off the stage and bouncing, Tigger-like, damn near every single member of the audience until the whole house was jumping up and down with him.

With the musicians and performers out of the way, Tobacco took the stage, and the mad scientist came home to roost. Accompanied by a lovely, young lady i'm guessing was The Seven Fields of Aphelion (seriously, i've never been in a room where i thought that the players needed name tags more), the two didn't say a word for their entire set, but concocted a glitchy, spastic, fuzz-drenched set that had the entire house going ape shit.

When Tobacco and Dreamend came back to encore together, i was told it was a Black Moth Super Rainbow reunion of sorts, and while i can't really speak to that, i can say they rocked that fucking joint, yo.

i would be remiss if i didn't mention that part of what made it one of the most "entertaining" shows of the year was the fact that each band played videos in the background a la Admiral Radley. And while each was entertaining in its own right, Tobacco clearly took the prize for the evening. The only "problem" was that i was so captivated by his video show, i arguably found myself not paying enough attention to the music from time to time. It started with a clip of the Fat Boys, followed by a montage of various break dancers. Then, what i'm almost positive was Shô Kosugi from either "Revenge of the Ninja" or possibly "Ninja III: The Domination." When i thought i couldn't take any more 80s goodness, Tobacco somehow found a boatload of what originally appeared to be 80s aerobics videos. However, i knew those faces were too familiar, and it quickly proved itself to be glorious porn which he montaged into short clips of facial expressions only. And yet, nothing could prepare me for what concluded the evening.

Now, i thought "Edward Penis Hands" was the strangest pr0n ever made, but Tobacco proved me wrong, unearthing an E.T. fuck flick.

Let me repeat that--he found and played a porno where the female lead was dressed up in a full E.T. costume, with only her mouth and one nipple showing.

While his music is amazing, it is this feat that has me tipping my hat to the artist. Well done, sir. Well done, indeed.

Tobacco may be bad for your lungs, but goddamn, it's good for your soul.

mp3: Where You Belong (Dreamend from So I Ate Myself, Bite by Bite)

mp3: West Coast (Junk Culture from West Coast)

mp3: Heavy Makeup (Tobacco from Manic Meat)

Free Music Friday: The Elephantine, Gone, Upbeat, Scorching, Significant Other, Euro, Bright, Denim, Jem Version

It would appear that damn near every other blog out there (and a lot of bands, magazines, radio stations, sex clubs, etc.) is putting out some sort of 4th of July Mix, so i guess i better getting hopping on working one up for LET. In the interim, i guess you'll just have to make due with a bunch of free mp3s sans a theme.

Pauvre, pauvre pussycat.

First up, a track from the Bleep X Sonar 2010 sampler. They posted a bunch of tracks from bands playing some Euro fest i've never heard of, but am jealous that i'm not attending all the same. Broadcast is included in that mix, and i've dug them for a while. To use the vernacular, i'd categorize this as some laid back chillwave, but that's just because i want LET to start showing up when people Google "chillwave." A blog cannot live on being a top Google result for "Jilling Off" alone, folks.

mp3: Elegant Elephant (Broadcast from Bleep X Sonar 2010 Mix)

You know i'm a sucker for beat producers, electronic music seducers and DJ droopers (fuck you, i needed a rhyme), and the cat from NickNack obviously realized the same when they sent us their latest. This cat has skills, establishing a funky, spooky vibe while intermittently cutting it up. i say go for it.

mp3: Strangest Secret (NickNack from Dearly Departed)

For those bummed out by the Eels' last CD, it sounds like the last in his self-described trilogy, Tomorrow Morning (along with End Times and Hombre Lobo), appears to be a step in the uplifting direction. First single "Looking Up" has a church gospel feel, and the title kind of sums up the sentiment. For a guy's who previously wrote one of the most cheerful song ever about hating people (I'm looking at you, "I Like Birds"), this one definitely should give pause to those who have complained that Mr. E has been a bit too morose of late. A man with a beard of that magnitude, however, never should be doubted.

mp3: Looking Up (Eels from Tomorrow Morning)

The folks at Aquarium Drunkard just dropped their second annual LA artist mix. The conceit is for local LA artists to cover a famous album of the past. Last year, it was Paul McCartney's RAM, this year it's Television’s sophomore LP, Adventure. Truth be told, i can do without most of the tracks here, but the Imaad Wasif/Lykke Li take on "The Fire" is an absolute beast, some of Wasif's best axe work on wax, as far as i'm concerned. Li really is just a back-up voice on this one, but who doesn't love Lykke Li? Nobody. Not even your grandfather. And if you say otherwise, well, we're going to have words, buddy.

mp3: The Fire (Imaad Wasif with Lykke Li from L’Aventure :: A Los Angeles Music Sampler – 2010)

In an apparent effort to take the title of reigning queen of the revitalized beach girl rock sound, Best Coast has dropped another single from their soon-to-drop Crazy for You. And you know what? That crown is hers, as far as i'm concerned. While not quite as devilishly addictive as "When I'm With You," it's a damn fine follow-up, nonetheless.

mp3: Boyfriend (Best Coast from Crazy for You)

Swedish popsters Sambassadeur just dropped the latest single from their third LP, European. Another dreamy, blissful track from our neighbors to the Northeast-ish. Damnation, i lurvs me some Scandinavians. Here's another reason why.

mp3: I Can Try (Sambassadeur from European)

It's funny, i've never been much of a Black Moth Super Rainbow fan, but the latest solo efforts from Tobacco and now Dreamend are two of my fave CDs this year. Whereas Tobacco's latest is kind of in-your-face, Dreamend's debut clearly is the more laid back of the two. If you're a fan of Megafaun, you're going to dig this.

mp3: Magnesium Light (Dreamend from So I Ate Myself, Bite by Bite)

Taking notes from sometime bandmate Jack White, Alison Mosshart is back at it with Jamie "Hotel" Hince and the Kills. They just did a Levi's Pioneer Session (No shit, Chet. No shit) and dropped this stellar cover of the Velvet Underground's "Pale Blue Eyes." It's a good 'un, that's fo' sho'.

mp3: Pale Blue Eyes (The Kills from Levi's Pioneer Sessions)

And to close things out, the second single from Fol Chen's Part II: The New December. i can't quite put my finger on why, but i'm digging these cats more and more with each new track i hear. This one does nothing to change that sentiment.

mp3: The Holograms (Fol Chen from Part II: The New December)

Now go get your holiday weekend started, assuming you're living Stateside. And be careful with those fireworks. No reason for anyone to go shooting their eye out or anything drastic like that.