This article/interview with Matt Berninger is great. I think it gives intelligent insight into the direction, focus, and driving forces behind the band. The man interviewing Berninger asked him if he was for making the band's style more simple. I laughed when I saw this question because to me, this album is anything but. I've listened to it multiple times and am still discovering new sounds and intricacies that are not easily apparent. I hesitate to call this album the king that Boxer heralded. But at the rate High Violet is growing on me, that may be the case. Anyway, I will stop now because the article is much more interesting than I have to say. Enjoy!

What a month this has been musically. Saw Vampire Weekend in concert on the 8th of April at the Tabernacle. I actually thought the concert was the next day. Robbie called me and said, "Hey Seth, you coming?" We are waiting in Carter Circle!" I proceeded to say something less than appropriate and frantically grab my ticket and shoes and hop out the door with one shoe on. Fortunately, Anna H. brought sandwiches. I ate and then slept for the rest of the ride. Parking was interesting. But I applaud Matt for his final decision.
Vampire Weekend was sophisticated and fun. The first was rather a surprise, considering they are recent graduates of Columbia and everyone loves them, I suspected them to be full of it. However, their sound was wonderful, better than album quality. Well worth suffering through an opening band that could have easily been replaced by the Jonas Brothers. They sucked. I don't even remember their band name. Guy broke his guitar string and we had to wait for five minutes because he didn't have a spare guitar. But VW played a relatively long set that included 90% of their to-date released songs. Turned me into an even bigger fan. Their music video for Giving Up the Gun is awesome and includes several cameo appearances.
The second show I went to (which was very recent) was also at the Tabernacle. I saw PHOENIX. My roommate and I had to drive through Tornado cells to get to Atlanta, but it was totally worth it. I sang him a lullaby on the way. The three shows prior to this one were canceled due to the wonderful Icelandic volcano whose proper name I will not attempt to spell. We got there in time and alive. Four rows back from the center of the stage.
Phoenix's opening band, Two Door Cinema Club, was great. They had flown in from Ireland earlier that day. They had a lot of energy and a fun sound. Just bought their CD on iTunes. If you enjoy good music, which I assume most of you do, you should buy their album. I was exhausted before Phoenix even came on the stage. But I didn't seem to have trouble losing my voice and what was left of my dignity during Phoenix's set. Phoenix played a good sixteen or seventeen songs. They saved 1901 for last, ending with Thomas crowd-surfing. I think I touched his chest, legs, and foot. Awesome. Cobb got a pick and I almost caught a drumstick. Their sound is more difficult to replicate live, but I think they did an incredible job. The lighting was phenomenal and they played almost all of my favorite songs.











Side-note: The National is about to release their newest album, High Violet.<-This is a link that will allow you to listen to the new album AND read a pretty interesting article in the New York Times. I have listened to it and, as boring as some of you may find Matt Berninger's baritone, this album is a masterpiece. Great study music.

That's all for now, music lovers.

I stumbled across a new band the other day. The Boxer Rebellion are in the same vein as bands like Coldplay, Radiohead, Acceptance, Jimmy Eat World The Killers, and Keane, and yet they have a singular sound. Now, just because I am using some of the biggest British bands as markers does not mean I am placing The Boxer Rebellion on par with said bands. Speaking of British bands, The Boxer Rebellion are. British. They are relatively young, Union being their sophomore release. If you don't like them the first time around, keep on listening; they will grow on you. If you enjoy good British Altindie, The Boxer Rebellion need to become a part of your music library. Check out their myspace. I highly recommend purchasing Union.

At The Bottom

Your face shimmers more brightly than the sun
Reflecting off the snow (and ice).
Magic is in your crooked smile
A spell you cast unwittingly.

Race you to the bottom, you said,
Giving me no chance to ready.
Diving headfirst down the one hill
We could find, I look back and see.

You have not made it far at all.
I told you, Do the somersault!
You might scrape up your back a bit,
But you have to do it. Trust me.

Lay at the bottom of the hill
Listen to the unbridled laughs.
Do you see the footprints and tracks?
Bonding is climbing icy hills.

I reach the top and hold out my hand.
You grasp it and we slip the slope.
Everyone laughs hysterically.
Still funny the one-hundredth time.

You could not be more beautiful.
I wish I could spend every day
Like this: carefree, filled with life.
I have to go, you are impatient.

Here's to you, Friendship.

I was looking at an artist's myspace the other day and I found this little blog post entertaining. I realize that the concept is creepy, but it is interesting to note the observations of a non-Christian selling pornography to different types of consumers. Also, this band, Radical Face, is quite good. I have to thank Tera Woods for telling me about them. Check out their myspace.

Fleet Foxes - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Ok. Two quick things. First off, Vampire Weekend's new album "Contra" is currently available on their myspace. Secondly, they are playing in Nashville on the 5th at the Ryman Auditorium and in Atlanta on April 8th at the Tabernacle. Both shows should be relatively cheap, because of the venue primarily. Because tickets will be cheap and because it is, after all, VAMPIRE WEEKEND, you need to buy tickets ASAP. I think I am going to the Nashville show. Tickets go on sale the 8th and you can buy them at LiveNation.