Last night, I was fortunate enough to catch a live sneak preview of SO7B’s forthcoming sophomore release, Disconnect From Desire. To say that the LP falls amongst my most anticipated of the year would be an understatement. Their debut record, Alpinisms, is not only one of my favorite albums of 2008, but also one of my most cherished full-lengths of all time. Judging from their sensational performance, it’s painfully obvious that School Of Seven Bells are poised to unleash another shoegaze inspired dream pop masterpiece. Assisted by a live drummer, Disconnect From Desire is seemingly more frantic and immediate than Alpinisms. Lead vocalist, Alejandra Deheza steps back from her rhythm guitar on many tracks – allowing Benjamin Curtis & Claudia Deheza’s arresting/haunting melodies to shine brightly. Official TMS Rating: 9/10. Be certain to visit School Of Seven Bells at their MySpace page.
More photos, the setlist & a SO7B selection AFTER THE JUMP…
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In January, I properly expressed my adoration for the NYC based quartet. Last Thursday’s forty minute set only deepened the crush. Showcasing a swarm of brand new material alongside a handful of recently released tunes, I Love Monsters impressed me yet again. Personal highlights included ‘Rescue’, ‘Little White Lies’ & ‘Stop Pretending’. TMS Rating: 9/10. Watch ILM’s video for ‘Heart/Beat’ here. Become a fan of ILM on Facebook.
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Our brilliant guest blogger, Britt Lundborg, attended last night’s gig and offers a full report! MGMT played a semi-secret gig last night at Mercury Lounge. The whole business was password protected so when you received your confirmation e-mail for the ticket, it read that you’d bought the opportunity to hear the fine vocal stylings of ‘The Smirking Worm’. Believe me, anyone who managed to score a ticket surely had every reason to smirk. Every gig at Mercury is intimate. And here was MGMT fresh off their trip to the Grammys debuting new tunes from their upcoming release, Congratulations. When I walked in, the room was a quarter full and the boys were rolling around the room, mixing with well-wishers and mates. The room quickly packed and after a rather odd opening act consisting of a foul-mouthed ventriloquist dummy (is there any other kind?) and his human partner, MGMT took the stage to huge cheers. Andrew VanWyngarden, cutie that he is, pulled an awe-shucks move when he said to the rapt crowd, ‘We just really like to play music’. Bless. Seamlessly shuffling between new material and tracks the entire audience could sing back to them, MGMT look, feel and sound like polished pros. They seemed comfortable and confident and didn’t grimace once when playing crowd-pleasing favorites, like ‘Weekend…’ & ‘Electric Feel’. And when they played ‘Flash…’ & ‘Congratulations’, two songs that have just barely begun banging around the blogosphere, the crowd knew just how to sing along. Congratulations, indeed.
More photos, the setlist & an MGMT tune AFTER THE JUMP…
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Both acts performed outrageously brilliant sets. TMS Rating: 9/10. All photos courtesy of Santiago Felipe. Be sure to catch Washed Out on his NA trek. Washed Out was recently crowned with NPR’s Song Of The Day.
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Our photographer, Santiago Felipe, attended last week’s sensational Black Apple curated gig. Be certain to visit Japanther at their MySpace page.
View more photos & download a Japanther tune AFTER THE JUMP…
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A rousing set from the Philly based indie-pop troupe. TMS Rating: 7/10. Ashes Grammar is out now. Watch their official video for ‘So…’ here.
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Every time I catch a performance by Acrylics, I fall deeper & deeper in love with ‘em. Last night’s set featured the bulk of their debut EP, a few new tunes & ‘Molly’s Vertigo’. Official TMS Rating: 9/10. Visit Acrylics on MySpace.
View another photo & download an Acrylics track AFTER THE JUMP…
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On Friday evening, Santiago Felipe captured a swarm of incredible shots before, during & after the mind-boggling performance. He assures us that this gig was the equivalent of an aural orgasm. We don’t doubt him! TMS Rating: 10/10. Be sure to visit Leslie & The Lys on MySpace as soon as possible.
View many more images & stream a Leslie selection AFTER THE JUMP…
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