I got the Viva K cd in the mail today. It's eleven mediocre songs, with a twelfth gem right at the end. Completely unlike the rest of the album, what was it doing there? The liner notes point out the only difference: it was mixed by one of the band members instead of the guy who mixed the rest of the album. Of course this doesn't make all the difference, but it certainly says a whole lot. This song knows restraint, it knows not to stand up right away. It's first sideways sideways sideways, then stand up straight. Behaving well for a single drop of water.
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YES. Japanese cartoon heros cum pop girl duo Puffy AmiYumi. Now, I don't speak Japanese, but I understand the lyrics perfectly: they are those of the most inspiring "peace is the new war" anthem dedicated to the whole frigging continent you've ever heard; it just takes a little imagination. And what else do I hear: a snazzy contrapuntal organ line like a purple silk suit, and those stampede-style Road To Nowhere drums? Wow, yes, I do. And so do you.
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Also, here's my PopMontreal schedule:
Tonight - Blocks Night (NinjaHighSchool, Hank Collective, etc), or Antony & Johnsons (haven't decided!)
Friday - Kosher Dill Spears, The Grates, and Think About Life
Saturday - North of America, Islands
Sunday - Architecture in Helsinki
(say hi if you're at any of these, I'll be the one drinking tap water and eating box after box of Goldfish)
Posted by Dan at September 29, 2005 2:44 AMListen up - EVERYONE should go to Architecture in Helsinki, whether or not you like the band. SERIOUSLY -- I am serious.
Blocks vs Antony is very tough. I guess you'll have to decide on the night. Blocks will be a blast-uh, but Antony was really surprisingly wonderful in Edinburgh, far more of a cathartic pleasure than I expected.
Am off to work so will listen to songs later. Thanks, Dan.
Posted by Sean at September 29, 2005 3:04 AMGonzales on Monday would also be lovely-warm and sweetness. (Make sure M goes, if she can.) You can say hi to him from the guy who did merch for the Arcade Fire in London. :)
Posted by Sean at September 29, 2005 3:07 AMAre you positive about your friday selection? Not that Im saying Kosher Dill Spears etc. are not worth it, however I had to choose The Stars and Donkey Heart over anything else. I mean its freaking DONKEY HEART! They are back from the dead and hopefully rocking as ever. and The Stars make me want to cry, in that beautiful way ( I think...)
Posted by skot-bot at September 29, 2005 12:39 PMWait- what about Black Mountain? thats friday too, eh? hard times these are... I can't decide what to go to...
Posted by mo at September 29, 2005 2:11 PMRE: Puffy Ami Yumi... I couldn't believe how friggin' HUGE those lasses are when I moved to Tokyo. If a band has garnered a marginal underground buzz in North America (a la Guitar Wolf, Melt Banana, Acid Mother's Temple), then they're stoopid big over here. Thee Michelle Gun Elephant have their own glossy photo coffee-table book, fer cryin' out loud! Puffy would get billed above Destiny's Child, and Otomo Yoshihide makes John Zorn look like some Knitting Factory upstart.
Posted by Sebastian Roberts at September 30, 2005 2:29 AMYeah isn't that Puffy song one of the biggest singles in the history of Japan or something?
Posted by nofrontin at October 1, 2005 4:28 PMArts and Crafts was my choice for last (Friday) night.. definitely a quality decision. Torquil Campbell even showed up (before playing his show that night? huh) so that was nice. I'm headed to Metric tonight, partially so I can toss things at Noah of the Lovely Feathers for leaving our place a mess and for taking back his washing machine. Ha.
p.s. islands are playing a ton more shows in the coming weeks, including an opener for B.S.S. 10/22
Posted by Chris at October 1, 2005 6:30 PMOh, and Tokyo Police Club rocked the house last night. Verrrry nice, AND they brought cupcakes.
Posted by fatcitizen at October 2, 2005 1:40 PM
and it will begin playing. All songs are also available to download: just right-click the link and choose 'Save as...'
