NYS Music 20​14

Author: Bryan Lasky

  • Hearing Aide: Interpol Return With ‘El Pintor’

    Interpol_-_El_Pintor_cover_artInterpol have made a triumphant return with El Pintor, their first album since 2010’s Interpol. With the departure of original bassist Carlos Dengler shortly after the completion of that release, the band went on a hiatus right after supporting the album with a tour. Lead singer and guitarist Paul Banks reconvened with lead guitarist Daniel Kessler and drummer Sam Fogarino wanting to make some more music. Banks picked up the bass and El Pintor soon fell into place with the new band configuration. Touring band member Brandon Curtis contributed keys on nine of the ten tracks as well. The band toured minimally this summer and were a major highlight on the third day of The Governors Ball and are now touring the United States this fall with  a two night stand taking place at Terminal 5 in November.

    The album starts off with rocker “All The Rage Back Home.” The band announces right away that they are back and ready to be back playing live in front of crowds. The entire album sees the band happy to be back and re-taking their position as a top rock band from New York. “My Desire” has Banks’s voice soaring over beautiful guitar solos by Kessler. The back to back placement of these songs to start off the album give Interpol fans exactly what they want from this band, great rock songs that you can dance to and get lost in.

    “Same Town, New Story” keeps the driving beats by Fogarino going with slick guitar parts added by Kessler. Banks’s and Kessler’s voices, for the first time on the album, meld together beautifully throughout the song. The lyrics may not be the most subtle of El Pintor, but the band makes them work flawlessly.  “My Blue Supreme” and “Everything Is Wrong” are not up to par with the rest of the album. The band hits its stride and doesn’t push itself in the middle of the album. When the album gets to “Tidal Wave” they break back through and bring the album home. The dense layering of instruments and vocals is easily one of the highlights of the album. The song is unlike anything else on the album and hopefully is a direction the band will continue to explore.

    El Pintor is a great return to form for the band that had to show the world they were back to being the band everyone remembers from the early 2000s. The personnel may have changed a bit, but the band still has its unique sound ready for the masses to eat up. Interpol fans should rejoice as the band is back and is ready to take on the world again.

    Key Tracks: All The Rage Back Home, Same Town, New Story, Tidal Wave

  • Hearing Aide: Robert Plant’s Sensational ‘lullaby and…The Ceaseless Roar’

    Robert PlantRobert-Plant-lullaby-and-The-Ceaseless-Roar, who is coming to The Capitol Theatre on Sept. 25, has just released a masterpiece of an album titled lullaby and The Ceaseless Roar. Throughout the album, Plant’s voice is in top form. Fans looking for a sound more akin to Led Zeppelin will be looking in the wrong place though with this album. African instruments and beats are sprinkled all over the album’s densely packed eleven tracks. Each song has layers upon layers waiting to be unraveled by the listener’s ears.

    “Little Maggie” kicks off the album with some sounds that belong on more recent Radiohead releases than a Robert Plant album. With Plant producing the album himself, he definitely wanted it to sound unlike anything he has ever done before. Plant uses great imagery in his lyrics in the song “Pocketful of Golden” that do reach back to those early days of his rock and roll life. The song marches forward on a great hook being played on guitar and traditional African instruments.

    The Sensational Space Shifters, the backing band and co-writers of the album, keep this album moving at a breakneck speed. Although none of the songs are fast rockers, the band is impeccable in their execution of the music, and when you are listening to it, suddenly half the album has passed in a blink. “Turn It Up” has Jack White-esque guitar solos sprinkling over Plant’s roaring vocals. The band gives Plant a wide-ranging sonic canvas to explore over and experiment with like he has not had the opportunity to in recent years.

    plant2014
    Photo Credit: Ed Miles

    “A Stolen Kiss” and “Somebody There” are both slower tracks on the album, but listening to Plant sing his lyrics in these are like watching a film on screen. The words take you on a journey like few frontmen can do nowadays. On “Poor Howard” Plant reaches all the way back to Lead Belly’s “Po’ Howard” for inspiration. The song is derived straight from the original and lets Plant re-imagine the gritty blues song into more of a Celtic folk song.

    His voice may not be as strong as it once was, but he uses it beautifully for the entirety of the album, weaving it in and out of the music at will. Plant has put together a very strong effort for his 10th solo album and the tour to follow should be just as stunning. The album lets Plant tell audiences that he is still willing to explore new sounds and that you should be open to them as well, not just looking at the past. The future is an exciting place and Robert Plant is ready to dive right into it.

    Key Tracks: Little Maggie, Poor Howard, Pocketful of Golden

    If you’d like to preorder the album now, check out Robert Plant’s site here for some exclusive offers.

  • Allen Toussaint & Preservation Hall Jazz Band Bring Dixieland to New York

    Allen Toussaint and The Preservation Hall Jazz Band will be teaming up for a joint tour of the United States this fall and the Northeast is getting a full docket of shows. The tour promises to see plenty of interaction between the acts, with each band sitting in with one another throughout the show. Ben Jaffe, the Preservation Hall band leader released a statment for the tour saying “After all these years of playing together in New Orleans and coming to the same festivals here and there around the world, it is amazing that we never hit the road as a package before. It was almost as if we’ve always just assumed it had already happened, and then one day it was like ‘Oh yeah, WE need to do this thing’ and the Oh Yeah! Tour was born.”

    Allen Toussaint and Preservation Hall

    “I’ve been playing with the guys in Preservation Hall around New Orleans since the 1960’s, so I’m really excited to finally get out on the road and perform together with them every night on a tour,” said Mr. Toussaint, “we’re going to have a lot of fun, and so will the audience.”

    The first show of note will occur on Oct. 15 at Shea’s Performing Arts Center in Buffalo. This will be closely followed by a stop at MASS MoCA on Oct. 23 and SUNY Purchase’s Pepsico Theatre on Oct. 24. The tour then goes to Brooklyn’s Music Hall of Williamsburg on Nov. 1.

  • Hearing Aide: Big Mean Sound Machine ‘Contraband’

    bigmeansoundmachine

    Big Mean Sound Machine‘s third album Contraband was released earlier this year and has slowly been gaining traction throughout the state. Hailing from Ithaca, Big Mean Sound Machine has continuously broadened their sound with each new release. The opener “In the Name of What?” is a throwback to the Stax era sound of 70’s funk and soul. From the Shaft-esque guitar holding down the background of the song right to the horns that guide the track through its seven minute journey. From the get go, Contraband lets you know that you’re going to want to move your body while listening to the record.

    The band hits its’ groove during “Woah Gosh” and “Junkies Everywhere”. “Woah Gosh” constantly builds as the horns and the Moog synthesizers play off one another to see who can lead the track to its eventual transition into the “Junkies Everywhere” that is steeped in Afrobeat and jazz. The drums and congas really get a chance to shine about halfway through the track as the Moog searchers around in the back keeping a beautiful tension and making the track sound dangerous. You get the feel of walking the streets in a city late at night as those who are up to no good are coming out of their homes searching for their next score.

    The title track comes late in the album but is one that definitely could take off in the live setting. The quick guitar and bass riffs that drive the track forward will definitely get people moving and grooving on the floor. The band is at its tightest here of the whole album. The closer, “Wolfpack” brings the album to a delightful end with a song that could be in a Quentin Tarantino film scoring a scene perfectly. Contraband is great throwback album, yet Big Mean Sound Machine did a great job of updating that sound and making it their own. Be sure to catch them in New York this fall and head on over to their Bandcamp page to purchase the album.

    Key Tracks: In the Name of What?, Wolfpack, Junkies Everywhere

  • Pink Talking Fish Swimming Through Northeast This Fall

    Pink Talking Fish, with the wonderful combination of musical influences from Pink Floyd, The Talking Heads, and Phish, will once again make their way around New York and the rest of the Northeast this fall.

    The band loves to weave in and out of all three bands’ repertoires without a pause, making this band one of the most interesting tribute acts out there today. It’s no secret how much New York loves all three of these bands, and the band is playing the most shows in that state to satisfy the crowds. The first New York date is on October 18 at New York City’s The Cutting Room. The following Thursday and Friday will see the band tackle The Wescott Theatre and Putnam Den respectively.

    “There’s some serious energy when it comes to live music in Upstate New York,” said Eric Gould, the band’s bassist. “I went to college in Ithaca so, between attending shows all around the region during my time there and touring with Particle, I have a special place in my soul for this music scene. So psyched about late night Bella Terra and the 1-2 punch of Syracuse/Saratoga. We are going to have no repeats between those 2 shows so that people have an opportunity for a multiple show run PTF experience and catch a bit of the “tour fever”.”

    The last time they were at Putnam Den was a great show and it sounds like this time will be more of the same. The full tour can be seen below.

    pink talking fish 2014

  • Nas Kicking off Illmatic’s 20th Anniversary in New York

    nas 2014 tour

    This year marked the 20th anniversary of Illmatic by Nas and he has dedicated the entire year to this landmark album. This fall he will be touring in support of not only the album, but also the documentary film Nas: Time is Illmatic. This film follows the making of the album to how it is seen and heard today. The film will open theatrically via the Tribeca Film Festival on October 1st followed by a nationwide expansion to follow. At these shows not only will Nas play the album from front to back, but at most stops the documentary will be shown as well.

    “I want to thank Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and the Tribeca Film family for all of the love and support they’ve given Time Is Illmatic,” said Nas. “It is an honor to be in partnership with them, and I feel there is a cultural kinship bonded by the city of New York.”

    “When we started this project, Erik Parker and I couldn’t imagine that audiences would one day be able to experience the film with a live performance of Illmatic, the album that started it all. It will make each night a truly special moment for the culture. We are sure people of all generations will be inspired by the story of Nas, the Jones family, and electrified by a live performance,” said One9.

    The tour kicks off at Rochester’s Main Street Armory on October 2 and stops at Albany’s Palace Theatre on October 3. Unfortunately Rochester will not have a screening of the documentary, but Albany will. These shows are sure to be special and tickets go on sale this Friday August 15th.

  • Electron Ready to Plug-In This Fall

    electron fall 2014Electron, the super group created in 2000 by Disco Biscuits frontman Marc Brownstein, is getting back together for a batch of shows this fall.

    This fall you can catch them at the Catskill Chill Music Festival on September 7th as well as B.B. Kings in New York City on October 17th. The next night they will take the stage at Syracuse’s beautiful Westcott Theatre.

    The group consists of fellow Disco Biscuits member Aron Magner, Mike Greenfield of Lotus, and Tom Hamilton of Brothers Past. This all-star group is always a favorite to go see as they do not tour as often as fans would hope since each member is usually busy with their main band.

    Other shows are spread throughout the Northeast and can be seen below. Make sure to catch them this fall as it’s unknown when the band will have the time in their schedule to come together again.

    September 5 Lancaster, PA—Chameleon Club w/The Beating
    September 6 Worcester, MA—Electric Haze
    September 7 Hancock, NY—Catskill Chill Music Festival
    October 15 Washington, DC—Howard Theatre
    October 16 New Haven, CT—Toad’s Place
    October 17 New York, NY—B.B. King’s
    October 18 Syracuse, NY—Westcott Theatre
    October 19 Philadelphia, PA—TLA

     

  • Trey Anastasio Band Taping PBS Special at Brooklyn Bowl

    photo by Andy Hill
    photo by Andy Hill

    According to Relix, The Trey Anastasio Band will be taking the stage at The Brooklyn Bowl on Sunday, August 17 for a the taping of a special PBS broadcasting of the series Front & Center.

    This is a very small venue for the band to be playing and should be quite the show. The Brooklyn Bowl has been used as the setting for this show before. Aaron Neville was recorded there in the fall of 2012.

    Tickets go on sale Friday, August 8 at 10 a.m. with a two-ticket limit per customer.

    No tickets will be available at The Brooklyn Bowl box office.

    This is sure to sell out in moments notice, so if you want to be at the taping, make sure to act quickly.

  • Dark Star Orchestra will be all over New York State this Fall

    Dark Star Orchestra will be coming back to New York this fall with a tour that will let you dance throughout the state this November. The tour will see the Grateful Dead Tribute act start in Buffalo’s The Town Ballroom on November 12. This will be followed closely with stops at the Reg Lenna Civic Center in Jamestown and the Palace Theatre in Albany on the 14 and 15 respectively. Prior to two nights at Higher Ground on the 24 and 25, the tour will stop at The State Theatre of Ithaca on the 17 and the Mid Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie on November 20.

    dark star orchestra FallFollowing Thanksgiving, DSO will be playing New York City’s Best Buy Theatre for a two night stand on the 28th and 29th. The New York portion of the tour wraps up on December 1st at Syracuse’s Palace Theatre. Tickets for these shows go on sale this coming week. All the dates are below.

    11/12 The Town Ballroom Buffalo, NY
    11/13 The Danforth Music Hall Theatre Toronto, ON
    11/14 Reg Lenna Civic Center Jamestown, NY
    11/15 Palace Theatre Albany, NY
    11/17 The State Theatre of Ithaca Ithaca, NY
    11/19 Mayo Performing Arts Center Morristown, NJ
    11/20 Mid Hudson Civic Center Poughkeepsie, NY
    11/21 Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel Providence, RIp the 
    11/22 The Dome at Oakdale Wallingford, CT
    11/24 Higher Ground (Ballroom) Burlington, VT
    11/25 Higher Ground (Ballroom) Burlington, VT
    11/26 Penn’s Peak Jim Thorpe, PA
    11/28 Best Buy Theater New York, NY
    11/29 Best Buy Theater New York, NY
    12/01 Palace Theatre Syracuse, NY
    12/03 Paramount Theatre Rutland, VT
    12/04 State Theatre Portland, ME
    12/05 Calvin Theater Northampton, MA
    12/06 Lowell Memorial Auditorium Lowell, MA

  • King Crimson Reunion Starting in Albany

    King Crimson is one of the most legendary bands in the prog-rock scene to ever take the stage and, they will have a reunion for a full tour for the first time since 2009.

    Albany, New York’s own The Egg has the privilege to be the first stop on the tour on September 9th and 10th. The tour will roll south to New York City’s Best Buy Theater on September 18th, 19th and 20th for a special three-night run.

    This has been a highly sought after show ever since Robert Fripp, the founding and only consistent member of the band, announced last September that the band would be getting back together. The line up is expected to include Fripp, Gavin Harrison, Bill Rieflin, Tony Levin, Pat Mastelotto, Mel Collins and Jakko Jakszy.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAAqAnCBNKQ

    The shows in Albany go on sale on June 6th at 11AM, and at noon for each New York City show.