NVinNYC

I had a chance to see the The Decemberists play a show earlier this week and loved how they played ‘The Hazards of Love’ straight though. One of my favorite bits was watching Shara Worden (also known from her solo project as My Brightest Diamond) sing and rock out with the band.  Luckily I was able to record a their live performance on Leno from last week so I can share and relive a bit of the magic.

Here’s ‘The Wanting Comes in Waves’ live on Leno in 540p HD (114 MB) or iPod (37MB) formats. The performance features Lavender Diamond’s Becky Stark (in green) on backing vocals along with Shara (in white), Colin, and the rest of The Decemberists.  As you’re watching, imagine everything twice as loud and Shara even more animated and you’ll get an idea what the live concerts are like.

Enjoy!

I finally saw Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist…

It felt like wonderful NYC fantasy that was almost too reflective of my own experience in NYC, like looking it a distorted mirror.

5.0 Stars

The new album by The Decemberists called ‘The Hazards of Love’ is out today. It’s a must-buy album. That is all I need to say.

If you haven’t heard, Live Nation and Ticketmaster are attempting to merge their businesses into one ticketing and promotion super conglomerate.  Needless to say, such a merger would be extremely detrimental to fan and artist by giving the new company monopolistic power over the entire live performance industry.  Hitsville has a great rundown of Five Arguments Against the Live Nation/Ticketmaster Merger.  It’s well worth reading about the chilling effects of such a merger.  Let’s hope that the Obama Administration and Congress step up to the plate and regulate this catastrophe in-the-making.

1. Nine Inch Nails – Ghosts I-IV
   Sure Richard D. James did it first (twice), but Trent and company knocked this one out of the park with very organic ambient music that pulses with life. The fact that it was all done without a label makes it even better.
2. Meiko – Meiko
   The indie folk genera gets injected with wit and charm. She’ll be everywhere in 2009…
3. The Black Keys – Attack & Release
   A rift heavy album that is packed from start to finish with great tracks and not a single bad song.
4. Ra Ra Riot – Rhumb Lime
   My long time favorites finally released their full length this year, a wonderful splash of songs which celebrate life, longing, and love.
5. The Raconteurs – Steady as She Goes
   The boys from Tennessee (as Jack White likes to say) delve even deeper into Southern Rock and mine out one great guitar rift after another layered with some great vocal interplay between White and Benson.