Concerts 2010

I need to make a list of this somewhere, so what better place than here?

2/23 Cold Cave
I haven't really listened to Cold Cave, but I've heard good things and the show is only $7. If I can't make it, I suppose it won't really be a big loss, at least until after I hear them and really like them. That way I can kick myself for it.
3/11 Ted Leo
I've missed the past two or three times he's come around, and it's really a shame. I saw him back in high school when a friend and I won tickets off of WRUW and it was very, very good. The energy was high, and even though there was a kid I knew doing the same slow, waving dance the entire time--and this annoyed me, because I'm kind of a jerk--it was a fun time.
3/13 Summer Cats / Afternoon Naps
I have Summer Cats' album, and I like it. I haven't listened in a while, but I know I liked it. But seeing the band live will hopefully hook me. The Afternoon Naps are opening, so that's pretty exciting.
3/17 Psychedelic Horseshit
I have not listened to this band, but it's at Now That's Class ($5) and I think they're from Columbus. I've never been to a shitgaze show, so I figure what better time than now?
3/23 Big Pink / A Place to Bury Strangers
Big Pink's album from last year was a big surprise. I didn't expect to like it at all, but that might just be because their name leads to thinking about the Band (whom I do like, but the reference scared me, not sure why). Anyway, it was fantastic! As for a Place to Bury Strangers, I have no idea. I have yet to listen to them. Soon.
3/24 Real Estate / Woods (@ Case Western, so I think that's students only?)
I liked the Real Estate album I listened to, but I haven't listened to Woods. I don't think it matters though, I'm pretty sure all the Case Western shows are students only. I am not a student there, so I'm most likely not going. What a drag though. Case gets some great bands. I think Fucked Up and Kurt Vile are going to Oberlin soon, but I'm not sure if that is students only either.
3/29 Miles Kurosky (Pittsburgh)
3/30 Miles Kurosky (Columbus)
Oh man, this is the show that I am the most excited about (the true Pavement excitement comes as it gets closer). Kathee just told me about it today. Of course, he's not coming to Cleveland, but I'm willing to travel. If you need to know why, listen to Beulah. What a wonderful band. Although (gasp!) I think I left his upcoming solo album out of 2010 releases list. I doubt I'll make it to both shows, as they are on a Monday and Tuesday and I have work. I'll definitely make it to at least one though.
3/31 Strange Boys / Prisoners
The Strange Boys are pretty good. I haven't listened to their album for a few months, but I know I was obsessed with it for a couple weeks. Prisoners are a local band that put on a pretty good show.
4/1 Henry Rollins
This is in Kent and is $20. I'm not sure if we're going, and I'm not sure what he'll be doing. But who knows? It'll probably be a great time.
4/5 the xx / jj
What a lineup! Two bands whose debut albums were both amazing. Of course, not coming to Cleveland, but should be worth the trip. The worst part about this show: having to pay Ticketmaster's goddamn convenience charges. Hearing "VCR" and "Ecstasy" live should make it quite an experience though.
4/6 Japandroids
I missed these guys last October at Now That's Class. Thankfully though, I woke up this morning to a text saying that they had announced a show at the Grog Shop. So hooray! 2 shows six months apart! Wonderful!
4/30 Yeasayer
I didn't expect to like their first album, but I did! Everyone has been saying their upcoming album is excellent, but I have yet to listen. That's all I've got.
9/24 Pavement
Holy cow! Can you believe it!? Pavement! Did I blog about this already? Pavement!!! I don't know how I'm going to get to New York, where I'm going to stay, or anything about the city. But I bought my ticket for day four of their stint in NY and now just have to focus on keeping it safe for another eight months. I'm still hoping the band comes to Cleveland (but come on, why would they?) so I can double the awesomeness that is 2010.



remember to support your favorite bands. buy vinyl.

What I'm excited about in 2010

Without looking at any sites (I can't function on other people's laptops properly / I miss my desktop), I'm going to try and recall what I'm excited about in 2010. Then I will update this when I realize that there is more.


First of all, Los Campesinos! - Romance is Boring. This leaked, and while I didn't download it, I did hear most of it in someone's car. This made it harder to pay attention, but sounded good to me (horns!?). My want to hear the new album led me to relisten to the first two albums (I've really liked ...Youngster, but never gave We Are Beautiful too many listens). Let's just say I am kicking myself for not buying the CD edition of We Are Beautiful with the zine and all that. What a fantastic album and what sounds to be wonderful packaging. After seeing the band in August for the first time, I was blown away. What a terrific band. I don't understand how they aren't huge. I mean, they are in a way, but they're so good and deserve any and all attention they receive. Can't wait. Comes out January 26th in the U.S. and February 1st in the U.K. I'm tempted to preorder, but there aren't any special vinyl packages, so I'm just going to buy it in person. But if you preorder it here, you get an mp3 from it to hear now!


jj - jj n° 3. I still don't have jj n° 2 on vinyl because, I guess, it was recently released and relatively rare (only place that I've found to have it is the Sincerely Yours website, which is asking quite a large price, or at least I'm afraid that's what it will be to ship to America). But that album is great. So I can only imagine what the third album will sound like. If I had to guess, it'd sound really good. Fair judgment, right?

you can find the CD and their first release here


LCD Soundsystem!!! I don't know what it's called, or when it's coming out, but it's coming. And that, my friends, is a reason for celebration. Sound of Silver is one of my favorite albums of the decade (perhaps of all time, we'll see next time I make that list), and for good reason. On top of the great singles, the entire thing flows so well. I listened to that album nearly every night for almost a year. Because of this, I am very excited for the new album. Also, I really hope they tour, because I am an idiot and missed them when they played with the Arcade Fire in Columbus.

If you haven't heard or own Sound of Silver, please buy it. I can't stress listening to this album enough.



Did you hear about Rivers Cuomo's upcoming Japanese debut? I have no idea what that'll sound like. Or well, I assume it'll sound like The Underdogs or Meri Kuri and be ten songs long. But I suppose that's a bit of a stretch to assume anybody who might read this would know those two Weezer tracks. One's a song written with a Japanese composer who might make video game music (can't remember), the other is a J-pop cover. Neither are on standard albums. But yeah, that's happening supposedly. The two demos Rivers posted online sounded really good, but had no lyrics. Either way, that's good news.

But on the reissue front, Pinkerton is being released in a deluxe edition. I'm not sure when, as the date has been pushed back multiple times. And I don't know what will be on it, but I don't see how it will be a disappointment (set your sights low, never be disappointed) as I already love the original and all the other tracks from that era. Now I'll just have them all in one collection instead of spread around on singles and mp3s. And if that isn't enough Weezer for you, there's also a rarities/demo/etc. collection called Odds and Ends that is supposedly on the way (been on the way for years now, I believe). So yeah, great year for that.


That's all I feel like writing about now.


remember to support your favorite bands. buy vinyl.