Clusterf*ck: Shows in Baltimore this Weekend

Another weekend in the city that reads, and another two nights packed to the brim with some serious decisions to be made. While all signs point to a concert overload, I'll try and provide you with some deets to help you make some calm and rational choices. Let's start with deciphering tonight's pair of options.

I myself am seriously conflicted with tonight's spread, as one of Baltimore's most storied venues is celebrating their 1000th show. Citypaper did a really nice piece on the Charm City Art Space this week, as CCAS is throwing a show tonight that features five secret bands that won't be named until this evening. Apparently the bands don't even know what other bands are playing, so roll the dice if you're feeling lucky tonight.

If gambling isn't your thing, the electro-melodic folk chant force that is Le Loup will be serenading the Ottobar.

Le Loup mastermind, and once Bmore resident, Sam Simkoff was kind enough to shed some light on their amazing new album by answering a handful of questions for me. However, I'm not entirely sure he understood what I meant by "impeccable" when I described the Ottobar's restrooms. Either way, this show get's a high recommendation.

Saturday's got two double header's going, but only one possess the local folk noise heroes Wye Oak. Andy and Jenn are playing the Ottobar again, the scene of their release party for the exceedingly beautiful LP The Knot. With them will be Blitzen Trapper, some west coast boys that sound increasingly like some Bob Dylan with each release. I prefer the spazzed out country rock of their earlier releases, but the new stuff on Sub Pop ain't too shabby either.

Sonar's also got one Saturday, with The Dodos and The Ruby Suns coming to town. I was a huge fan of the Ruby Sun's first release with Sub Pop, with it's swirling eccentric vibes that bubble along so smooth you might swear floating in a raft off the coast of their native New Zealand. The Dodos were pretty terrible last time they came around with one of the guys being sick, so lets hope they make up for it this time. However their new release is pretty poor, so I wouldn't bank on it.

And last but most certainly not least, the Hexagon's got a solid one, and it's free. Not only only will it cost you nothing, but one of Bmore's best new duos is headlining, Weekends. These guys have been incredibly busy this year pouring out a stellar full length, and an EP dubbed Suburban Dome. Certainly not an option to sleep on.

Choose wisely, folks.

The Dodos, Wye Oak, & Au

I was excited for this show back in July, and yes, am still a bit giddy. Sunday night at Sonar features San Francisco's The Dodos, Bmore's own Wye Oak, and Au who originate from Portland. Coincidently Au just released the video for their carnival of a single "RR vs. DD" (above). If you haven't already gotten tickets, the playlist below is sure to sway your thoughts. Hopefully the creepy girl in the video will not be in attendance.

Over-Genrefication At Its Best

Sonar plans to hit us with a psych-fuzz-folk-noise-experimental-rock triple threat this fall. The Dodos, Wye Oak, and Au round out what could be one of the best bills later this year.

If you're not already acquainted with local boh-drinkers Wye Oak, familiarize. If Children was beyond awesome, and expect future big things from Andy and Jenn.

Au put out a curiously mesmerizing self titled LP last year, and have recently just released Verbs. I've only heard one track so far, but it sounded like quite the carnival. Literally, like Barnum and Bailey's.

And then there's The Dodos. They've already churned out 2 ear swooning albums and can supposedly rip it live. The show is September 29th. Listen to the tracks below, and I'll see you there.

Half Yearly Top 10

There's been some pretty decent releases in the the first half of 2008. While we have yet to come across to this year's Person Pitch, there's been no lack of quality albums. Here are my favorite 10 records so far this year:

10. The Black Angels, Directions To See a Ghost

9. The War On Drugs, Wagonwheel Blues
(out 6/19)

8. Atlas Sound, Let The Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel

7. BSS presents Brendan Canning, Something For All of Us
(LP out 7/22...digitally available now right here.)

6. Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Lie Down in the Light

5. Fleet Foxes, Fleet Foxes

If you don't like this album,
you are a jerk.





4. No Age, Nouns

Perfect for sunny day cruises with the windows down and the yearning for rock & roll music has ensued.





3. The Dodos, Visiter


Two dudes that sound like eleven dudes, and also put together an excellent freak/psych/whatever folk(ish) record.




2. Beach House, Devotion

If you have a wine cellar in your basement, or better yet a dungeon, play this record there. I have done neither, but am pretty sure it would be to your benefit.




1. The Ruby Suns, Sea Lion

This album consists of truly blissful musical elements from the entire world, by way of a band from New Zealand.





Honorable mentions include, but are not limited to:
Saturday=Youth by M83, Third by Portishead, In Ghost Colors by Cut Copy, Welcome by James Pants, and Heretic Pride by The Mountain Goats.

Free MP3's & Free Show

Daytrotter posted a session today from one of my favorite new bands , White Denim. Go get it. And while you're at it grab the session from Fleet Foxes they posted a week ago. Oh, and The Dodos one they did in February. Gosh that site is awesome.


TPC will be at the Talking Head on Sunday, for free.