Five years in the making!

Split Sides will be available for purchase in late June.

Sigur Ros recently pulled an April Fool’s joke.

MP3: Sigur Ros – Untitled 8

A glorious pair of (philharmonic enhanced) performances highlighting old favorites & debuting tracks from each of their respective new releases. View Grizzly Bear‘s setlist & download a tune at bottom. Visit FF on MySpace.

(Setlist) Easier. Central & Remote. Ready Able. Two Weeks. Plans. Colorado. Reprise. Little Brother. Campfire. Dory. While You Wait For The Others. Foreground. (Encore) Deep Blue Sea. He Hit Me.

MP3: Grizzly Bear – Deep Sea Diver

Deets are as follows:

Brooklyn Academy Of Music
BAM Howard Gilman Opera House
February 28, 2009 (8PM)

Tix are on sale 10/20.

Further info can be found here.

MP3: Grizzly Bear – On A Neck…

The National – Around The Bend

A brand new tune debuted on 2/22/08 @ BAM.

Read my review of that gig here.

MP3: The National – Around The Bend [alt link]

Last night marked my fourth time seeing the National since the release of their enthralling junior LP, Alligator. Surprisingly and/or thankfully their debut at the 2100-capacity Brooklyn Academy Of Music did not vary greatly from their standard riveting gigs over the course of the last three years. The show focused primarily on 2007′s Boxer & the aforementioned, Alligator, as per usual. However, one key difference was the backing string and horn sections which added a much-adored texture and fullness to The National’s aggregated sound. Another unexpected treat was a guest appearance by Sufjan Stevens whom tickled the ivories during ‘Ada’. Along with a beautiful backdrop, perfect acoustics and a certain magic in the air, The National undoubtedly soared throughout the 90-minute gig. Visit the band at their official site. Enjoy some photos, the setlist & an MP3 below.

Setlist: Start A War. Brainy. Baby We’ll Be Fine. Slow Show. Secret Meeting. Mistaken For Strangers. Squalor Victoria. Abel. Wasp Nest. Racing Like A Pro. Ada. Apartment Story. Untitled New Song. Karen. Fake Empire… City Middle. Mr November. About Today. Gospel.

MP3: The National – Brainy [alt link]

I’m in the minority. Over the course of the last four years, I’ve tried time and time again to enjoy both of Joanna Newsom’s critically acclaimed full-lengths (2004′s The Milk-Eyed Mender & 2006′s Ys). Unfortunately, the so-called magic has failed to satiate my overzealous ears. Due to sheer curiosity and an abundance of rave reviews from Night 1, I decided to attend her second sold out performance at BAM’s Howard Gilman Opera House. The evening was broken into two segments: the first half dedicated to Ys (in its entirety, accompanied by The Brooklyn Philharmonic); the latter section split evenly between new tracks and favorites from her debut LP. For nearly three hours, the California-based harpist & vocalist truly stunned the jam-packed auditorium. The arrangements were flawless, her unique (yet divisive) voice was spot-on and her stage banter was beyond charming. While I haven’t been transformed into a mega-fan (by a long shot), I can honestly say my distaste has severely dissipated, and I look forward to experiencing Joanna’s live show again sometime very soon. Kudos, J – well done! Visit Ms. Newsom at her official site.

(Photo courtesy of Ryan Muir @ Metromix)

MP3: Joanna Newsom – Bridges & Balloons [alt link]

BAM presents the following gigs at Union Hall:

2/21: Favourite Sons + The Mugs
2/22: Laura Cantrell + Mia Riddle
2/23: Travis Morrison + A Sunny Day In Glasgow + Scarce

Purchase tickets to all shows at Ticketweb.

MP3: Laura Cantrell – Bees

Last night marked the second of three consecutive sold-out performances of Sufjan Stevens’ latest project, The BQE. For those not native to the New York tri-state, The Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) is a stretch of highway, built in the 1960s, that runs from southern Brooklyn to central Queens (for a further description check here). Suf’s half-hour interpretation of the heavily trafficked road included hula hoopers, a cinematic triptych (highlighting everything from auto repair shops to carnival rides) and most importantly, a breathtaking & grandiose score. With certain pieces harboring chaos, and other portions accentuating grace, the production was nothing short of brilliant. Following a brief intermission, the Michigan native returned with his extended orchestra, yet again, for eleven of his hits. The focal points of that act included ‘The Predatory Wasp’ (and its accompanying story) off of Illinois, and a transcendent rendering of the unreleased fan-favorite, ‘Majesty Snowbird’. Truly sensational. Photos below courtesy of Metrolens.

Setlist: [Part 1] The BQE. [Part 2] Seven Swans. The UFO Sighting. The Black Hawk War. The Avalanche. Detroit. John Wayne Gacy, Jr. The Predatory Wasp. Barn Owl. Casimir Pulaski Day. Majesty Snowbird. Chicago.

MP3: Sufjan Stevens – Chicago

Last night marked the second of three consecutive sold-out performances of Sufjan Stevens’ latest project, The BQE. For those not native to the New York tri-state, The Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) is a stretch of highway, built in the 1960s, that runs from southern Brooklyn to central Queens (for a further description check here). Suf’s half-hour interpretation of the heavily trafficked road included hula hoopers, a cinematic triptych (highlighting everything from auto repair shops to carnival rides) and most importantly, a breathtaking & grandiose score. With certain pieces harboring chaos, and other portions accentuating grace, the production was nothing short of brilliant. Following a brief intermission, the Michigan native returned with his extended orchestra, yet again, for eleven of his hits. The focal points of that act included ‘The Predatory Wasp’ (and its accompanying story) off of Illinois, and a transcendent rendering of the unreleased fan-favorite, ‘Majesty Snowbird’. Truly sensational. Photos below courtesy of Metrolens.

Setlist: [Part 1] The BQE. [Part 2] Seven Swans. The UFO Sighting. The Black Hawk War. The Avalanche. Detroit. John Wayne Gacy, Jr. The Predatory Wasp. Barn Owl. Casimir Pulaski Day. Majesty Snowbird. Chicago.

MP3: Sufjan Stevens – Chicago

Last night marked the second of three consecutive sold-out performances of Sufjan Stevens’ latest project, The BQE. For those not native to the New York tri-state, The Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) is a stretch of highway, built in the 1960s, that runs from southern Brooklyn to central Queens (for a further description check here). Suf’s half-hour interpretation of the heavily trafficked road included hula hoopers, a cinematic triptych (highlighting everything from auto repair shops to carnival rides) and most importantly, a breathtaking & grandiose score. With certain pieces harboring chaos, and other portions accentuating grace, the production was nothing short of brilliant. Following a brief intermission, the Michigan native returned with his extended orchestra, yet again, for eleven of his hits. The focal points of that act included ‘The Predatory Wasp’ (and its accompanying story) off of Illinois, and a transcendent rendering of the unreleased fan-favorite, ‘Majesty Snowbird’. Truly sensational. Photos below courtesy of Metrolens.

Setlist: [Part 1] The BQE. [Part 2] Seven Swans. The UFO Sighting. The Black Hawk War. The Avalanche. Detroit. John Wayne Gacy, Jr. The Predatory Wasp. Barn Owl. Casimir Pulaski Day. Majesty Snowbird. Chicago.

MP3: Sufjan Stevens – Chicago