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Party Tonight
Sam Champion Show + Party Tonight
Pavement comparisons, as a rule, pique my interest in a band, so I was curious about NYC locals Sam Champion right from the first review I read about them. (Of course, the genius band name would've done the trick on its own.) Even with all their area gigs, though, it took me forever to actually get around to hearing the band. But I recently got a copy of their new record Slow Rewind - their debut full-length - and I am definitely a fan. There is indeed more than a little Malkmus in the vocals and guitars, but the music doesn't sound derivative or unoriginal to me. It's also got a twangy alt-country vibe that fits in well - apparently one reviewer described them as Pavement covering CCR. "TV Fever" (MP3) is available on the band's website - not my favorite song on the album (that would be "Company Dance"), but still a good example of their sound.
Anyway, Slow Rewind came out a few weeks ago and the band is celebrating its release tonight - first with a show at the Mercury Lounge, and then with a party at Hanger Bar (217 E 3rd St. between B + C). They go on at 11:30 at the Merc, but playing right before them is the Spinto Band, who I've heard good things about. As for the afterparty, it's sponsored by the fine folks over at Loose Record and will feature free Red Stripe from 2 AM on. Check 'em out - both should be a good time.
Cool
Until Largehearted Boy pointed it out today, I was not aware that Neighborhoodies has been offering one free MP3 download per day since late April 2005. Some of their recent picks include Brakes, Flotation Toy Warning, DFA 1979, and Wolf Parade. Today's download is American Analog Set's droning "Cool Kids Keep" (MP3), one of my favorite tracks from AAS's new record Set Free.
American Analog Set have been around for ages, but Set Free is the first record I've heard from them. That could explain why I think it's such a great record. The negative reviews I've read, such as Pitchfork's 6.8 from Joe Tangari, take issue with AAS's lack of variety, album to album. Without knowing any of their other albums, Set Free sounds fine to me.
The lukewarm response to Set Free did make me question my opinion though. To get another view, I decided to play "Cool Kids Keep" for some friends and co-workers. I'm afraid I'm still alone in loving this song.
Russ: Well polished but simple enough to be quickly forgotten. I wouldn't skip over it if playing the album straight thru, but I certainly wouldn't go back to give it another listen. You could take bored sounding two lines of lyrics out and beef up the strings for a decent instrumental though.
Ben: Sounds like the kind of song a nerd would listen to before he goes surfing.
Lisa: It's MAD repetitive - it sorta starts off w/promise but by the end I want to hurt myself. There's no variety - drummer plays same 2 beats, the guitar strums the same 2 or 3 chords as does the bass (is it even that many?). And it sounds like a joke to me - the way he annunciates his words (well the only 2 words of the whole song) "togetherrrrrrrr" "foreverrrrrrr" - is he for real?
JP: I don't have anything good to say about this song and I stopped listening after a minute. I scrolled through to see if the monotony would end, but it didn't.
Ouch is all I can say. Someone has to like this song.