Excitable Boy

Here are five albums due to be released in the coming months that I'm really excited for:

Warpaint by The Black Crowes on March 4^th

Finally! Its been six long years since the Black Crowes released a proper album. In between we got Chris Robinson’s disappointing solo efforts and some greatest hits packaging (which are fantastic by the way). Even more exciting is that this new album will feature none other than Luther Dickinson of The North Mississippi All-Stars. Yes! To coincide with the release the band will be playing the album in its entirety at its shows starting in March. Listen to a few of the new tracks on their site. What I’ve heard so far is really excellent – classic Crowes.

A video for one of their new songs “Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution” can be seen on You Tube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGRKkxoh_Q0 – but they disabled the embedding feature so I can post it here for you..

Shockingly, I’ve never played The Black Crowes on any episode of All You Need Is Hops. But I GUARANTEE they’ll be on the next episode. That was planned in advance of this post.

Smilers by Aimee Mann sometime in March

As you know I’m a big fan of Aimme Mann’s recent work, especially The Forgotten Arm. To hear that entire album in a format of a book with lyrics click here. According to an inverview with Aimme in the DCist this album won’t be conceptual but will be tied together musically. In Aimee I trust so I’m ready no matter how the album is presented.

Aimee Mann appears on the following All You Need Is Hops Episodes - Episode 22: Rejuvenation and Resurrection and Episode 8: Halloween Part 2 - Costume Party

Matthew Ryan vs. The Silver State by Matthew Ryan on April 1^st

I have no idea what Mr. Ryan has against the state of Nevada but based on the four tracks I’ve already heard it’s something emotional. Matthew Ryan is one of the most deserving artists out there and more people should pay attention to his music. Here is what he has to say about the new album:

This is an arrival that's been 25 years in the making. "Everyone I know and love is in this record… including myself, there's a lot of myself in there. "It Could've Been Worse," "They Were Wrong," "Drunk And Disappointed"... they all speak to where I've been, where my friends have been, but not where we're going. I just want us all to figure it out. I want everyone to win."

I don’t know what that means exactly but it certainly speaks to introspection. Check out the four tracks in the player below.

Matthew Ryan appears on the following All You Need Is Hops Episodes - Episode 17: America, The Beautiful, Episode 20: Business Travel, Episode 13: Mystery Madness and Episode 11: A New Hope (as a part of Strays Don’t Sleep)

Evil Urges by My Morning Jacket on June 10^th

Waiting until June will be painful. MMJ are one of the best bands on the planet both in studio and live. Learn them… live them… love them.

Here is the band playing with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Lalapalooza.

My Morning Jacket appears on the following All You Need Is Hops Episodes - Episode 22: Rejuvenation and Resurrection, Episode 15: The Electric Kool-Aid Hops Test, Episode 3: Hot Days and Holidays and they have the honor of being the first band ever played on the show in Episode 1: An Introduction

TBD album name by Yeah Yeah Yeahs on a TBD date

I have a lot of info on this one don’t I? What else do you need to know except that this is the follow up to Show Your Bones, one of my favorites from 2006 and IS IS – an excellent EP released last year which features this incredible video:

Yeah Yeah Yeahs appears on the following All You Need Is Hops Episodes - Episode 20: Business Travel, Episode 12: Beside You In Time, Episode 10: Top of the Hops

Concert Etiquette

So many factors can impact your concert experience. The primary components -- your pre-concert mood, the venue, what you have going on the next day and of course THE BAND usually are what they are. Sure, you can try to get yourself pumped up for the show or forget about work the next day but for the most part there is only so much you can do to influence the concert. Some people choose to be "on a good mixture" as The National once said or go with a cool group of people to make the show better. My strategy is simple - when attending a general admission show I usually go with Mrs. Hops and we get there very early in order to snag a spot that will work for our short stature.

All that said there is one other thing that has a major impact on a concert - the crowd. A great crowd that is supporting the band can really elevate a show to another level. It is why bands love to play cities where they know they'll be supported well and always step up their game for those events. This is exactly why nothing pisses me off more than annoying people at concerts. You know the people - they can really ruin the show for everyone near them (and sometimes far from them).

Here are a few things I wish people would never do at a concert:

1) Make out - sure you can sneak a kiss or cuddle during a romantic moment but I don't want to have to watch two ugly people grope each other next to me. I remember a great My Morning Jacket show where this gross couple made out for the first 30 minutes of the set and didn't watch a thing. Of course they were standing RIGHT in front of me on the balcony. Luckily the girl had to leave to go puke in the toilet rescuing my night and ruining her dates. Ha ha.

2) Text - maybe one text per show or a text during the openers to let your friends know where you are but this annoys me during the show. First of all its disrespectful to the artist. Second, the light from your phone is very distracting. Third, its hard to get really into the band when the people next to you aren't paying attention.

3) Try and Steal My Spot - these people are at fault on multiple accounts. First there are those who come late and try to run up to the front right when the show starts. If you want a good spot get there early. Otherwise, don't try and steal one from the people who worked hard to earn it. Second, when I go to the bathroom or the bar don't try to squeeze into my space. You know I'm coming back and we'll all be much happier with a bit of space to dance. I hate having to make myself "big" when Mrs. Hops goes to the bathroom so some jerk doesn't try and steal it. Finally, I hate the nudgers. You know those people who are pushing you constantly trying to gain an inch in a non-existent turf war. We're all trying to see the band, please stop making everyone worry more about their territory than the music. I once had a girl slowly take her hand and grab the rail in front of me. This somehow signaled that she had a spot in the front row because she could reach out and grab the rail. Who can't see over me? I'm 5 foot 6...and Mrs. Hops is 5 foot flat. People should flock to our section just so they can stand behind us.

4) Yell stuff at the band - They're the center of attention not you. Why can't you just accept that?

5) Talk - Ah...this kills me. If you don't want to be there then go home! Stop chatting during those moments when the band is trying to play a quiet song...and stop yelling to shout over the loud ones. Talkers, I hate you. So does Jeff Tweedy:

MMJ Live @ 9:30 Club: Concert Review

Monday night Mrs. Hops and I saw My Morning Jacket (MMJ) at the 9:30 Club. The show was absolutely brilliant and we both had an awesome time. But the show was more than just your average fun night out at the 9:30 club, it was really quite memorable.

Things started off a bit worrisome as we got to the venue a bit later than usual and didn’t get our typical spot on the balcony like we like. However, we’d eventually get on the rail as the guy next to me made some space. My luck definitely turned around when I went to buy a beer. The bartender (an Orioles fan) noticed my Yankee hat and tried to talk some shite. I responded with some quick banter. My witty remarks scored me a free shot of Jameson as both toasted to our mutual dislike of the Red Sox. I didn’t need that shot, but really how could I turn it down?

On to the show. The openers were a rock and jazz based jam band trio called The Slip. They were really tight and put out a nice sound. The only played about 5 songs (which took almost 45 minutes) but it left me wanting more. I downloaded their album the next morning but haven’t had time to really digest it yet. Oh, and they wore animal costumes on stage, kind of like the raccoon from Super Mario Brothers 3. I hope to see them again as headliners.

Speaking of headliners, MMJ got on the stage around 9:50 behind a large curtain that cover the whole stage. After a few notes the curtain fell to reveal the band, fronted by Jim James in hilarious Moon Boots with skeletons on them. I can’t tell you how badly I want a pair now. The band opened up with an energetic version of “Anytime” (the first song ever played on All You Need Is Hops) that got the evening off to a great start. They continued with a bunch of songs from Z before finally switching to “O Is The One That Is Real”. Since the band is touring off their live album, Okonokos, they were completely free to play whatever they wanted and did so. They featured a song off of every album and one EP.

The highlight of the show was their live version of “One Big Holiday” (featured on Episode 3) of All You Need Is Hops. I can’t tell you how amazing this song is live. Let’s put it this way, it’s on the same level as Born To Run, Sympathy for the Devil and All Along the Watchtower as some of the greatest live songs I’ve ever heard. Yes it’s that great. I could just hear that one song and feel I got my money’s worth. I don’t care if they played it the next 20 times I saw them, I’m still going to go crazy when the play it. I think that pretty much encapsulates the spirit of the band. In some ways they channel Springsteen’s honesty on stage. They just won’t the crowd to have fun and feel they got their money’s worth. At one point front man Jim James thanked the crowd for coming out on a Monday night. He recognized we could have stayed home but instead decided to “live our lives” and come out and “rub up against some sweaty bodies”. I believe he hoped we would have a "hootin' good time". Despite being out and out rockers they showed range with an amazing 10 minute version of “Don Dante” and an acoustic “Bermuda Highway” (featured on 5 of All You Need Is Hops).

Overall, it was a really fantastic show. You should absolutely see them when they come to your town, you won’t regret it.

Full set list:

anytime
off the record
gideon
wonderful man
O is the one
lowdown
golden
bear
dondante
x-mas curtain
lay low
one big holiday
mahgeetah
--break--
Bermuda highway (acoustic with slide guitar)
i think i'm going to hell
wordless chorus
it beats 4 you
dance floors
run thru

All You Need This Week...

... is Okonokos!

"Why does my mind blow to bits every time they play that song?" from The Way That He Sings

Okonokos is the new double live album by My Morning Jacket. It's amazing top to bottom and really shows the band in fine form. From the opener, Wordless Chorus, through the 11 minute Dondante, the 11 minute Steam Engine and ending at Mahgeeta its a fantastic example of why I love this band. If you have been digging the MMJ I've been playing on the Hopscasts, pick up this CD as it serves as a pseudo Greatest Hits (though its missing The Bear off their debut CD). I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

And just as exciting, they will be releasing a Live DVD on Halloween. Anyone interested in a screening at the Chateau Hops let me know. I'll provide beers and the plasma TV (and of course the DVD!). Check out a preview of the DVD

MMJ on Letterman

Check out this clip of My Morning Jacket on Letterman backed by the Boston Pops. It's awesome. If for nothing else its entertaining to see Jim James in a tux. Enjoy!

Top 5 of 2005

I mentioned my favorite albums of 2005 list, but I forgot to post it on here. So here it goes:

The Top 5 of 2005
1) Z by My Morning Jacket
2) Alligator by The National
3) Silent Alarm by Bloc Party
4) Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (self-titled)
5) Apologies to the Queen Mary by Wolf Parade

Honorable Mention Goes To:
Give Up by The Postal Service - not in the Top 5 because it wasn't actually released in 2005
Kicking Television by Wilco - awesome album but it's tough to put on here over original material
Chaos and Creation in the Backyard by Paul McCartney - because its pretty suprising I'd really enjoy a new Paul McCartney album