Photo Review: Spank Rock and the Black Lips at Sonar

Photos by Chrissy

Friday's show at Sonar had all the ingredients for a beautiful disaster. My after work happy hour may limit the details of the night, but fun was had and music was played.

The best recalled news of the evening had to be the fact that Spank Rock mentioned he was working on a new album. It's been since 2006 since we've seen a full length from him. He put on a fun show, and the crowd seemed way more into him and Ninjasonik than the headliners.

The highlight of the night had to be Johnny Siera of the Deathset showing face. They all rocked "Negative Thinking" together, a song that only people without a soul don't get amped for. I also recall a Matt & Kim jam being played, pretty sure it was "Daylight". Spank Rock and Ninjasonik seemed to dig poppy east coast electro punk, but still repped their own brand of hip hop pretty solid.

The Black Lips were alright. They played what most would want to hear, including personal favorite "O Katrina!". But, the band just didn't seem that into it. There also appeared to be some tension on stage, as someone I was with noticed a couple of the members fighting with each other in between songs. Either way, the performance was a bit forgettable and was certainly without any of the antics that used to be a part of their shtick. Perhaps this is why the band seemed so bored.

Top 10 Bmore Albums of 2008

From folk to electro-punk to tribal drum jams, 2008 was another solidly diverse year for local releases. With other mediums bound to be sharing their favorite LPs of the year, thought I would focus on just what Baltimore had to offer.

70% of the list just so happens to be Round Robining at the event pictured to the left. December 18 and 19 at Sonar. Check my list below...

10. Yukon - Medallion EP

9. Teeth Mountain - Self Titled

8. Arbouretem (split 12" with Pontiak) - Kale

7. The Deathset - Worldwide

6. Adventure - Self Titled

5. Wilderness - (k)no(w)here

Originally an accompaniment score to an art exhbit, this is by far the bands most cohesive release yet. Slow-core moans paired with monstrous drums give way to unexpected quiet moments of pure sonic bliss.

4. Future Islands - Wave Like Home

In addition to one of my favorite album covers of the year, the highly anticipated debut full length delivers on sound as well. All in all, it's poppy new wave punk at its best while still leaving room to improve.

3. Lesser Gonzalez Alvarez - Why is Bear Billowing?

I've already compared Lesser to the likes of Nick Drake and early Devandra Banhart, which in my opinion is some pretty high praise. His debut trickles along with simple sounds that elude to complex ideas. An under-the -radar artist that deserves far more of your attention.

2. Ponytail - Ice Cream Spiritual

Themes of pixie stix and finger painting combine with mind-numbing rock and roll riffs to make the band's second LP something unlike anything else. This is an album that needs to be heard in it entirety, which I'm sure is typically not an issue for most who give it a go.

1. Beach House - Devotion

Beach House are epic. Paving the way for even more spacey dream pop gems that were released this year (Fight Bite, Grouper), the duo seems to be making lives more beautiful all over the world. After another tour heading into 2009, Victoria and Alex have hopes to record the third LP this winter.

Bmore.tv

Pitchfork revealed its new beta pitchfork.tv this week, and promises that it will fill the void that MTV left when they started filming people yell at each other. In light of p4k's unveiling, I have decided to present you with some visual spectacles of local origin. Some are quite fresh, other's are more weathered favorites.

Yeasayer claims Brooklyn as their home these days, but are originally from these parts. They released this video about a month ago.


Beach House uncovered yet another video from the new record.


The Deathset's album comes out in a few weeks.

I Think There's Music In Texas This Week

SXSW started today, and if this is a music blog, I should probably mention it. Many of the year's breakout artists will begin to emerge this very week down in Austin. And yes, people might actually stop talking about Vampire Weekend.

Members and cohorts of Wham City will be down in Texas full force. The Deathset, Ecstatic Sunshine, Videohippos, Lexie Mountain Boys, Jana Hunter, and Ponytail will all be doing their thing. Their ringleader Dan Deacon will be with Jimmy Joe Roche doing their Ultimate Reality Tour, which I hear involves a lot of Arnold Schwarzenegger footage.

Other artists representing Charm City include Scottie B, Aaron Lacrate, and All Time Low. In terms of musicians from elsewhere, NPR is webcasting a bunch of sweet ones including Yeasayer, Bon Iver, Yo La Tengo, My Morning Jacket, Jens Lekman, and Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin.

Baltimore's other boy/girl duo Wye Oak, freshly signed to Merge Records, will be in attendance and could potentially be one of the aforementioned breakout artists of the year. Their debut album, IF Children, will be released on the major indie label April 8. But if you head on down to Soundgarden right this second you can pick up a copy of that very album under their old moniker, Monarch. Do it.