Smells Like Pop

Here are my ten favorite albums (I found this year more memorable for artists who toured, than albums released – but here it goes):

• Field Music – Plumb: Like The Shins, their past is their closest competition for these XTC-inspired UK popsters. Not a weak track in a prog-rock masterpiece.
• Grizzly Bear – Shields: Though you can hear the influences of Jeff Buckley, Radiohead – the record never sounds derivative. Great songs and musicianship.
• Tame Impala – Lonerism: Though not as good as their debut, this record still fills a void left by other bands that Dave Fridmann produces.
• David Byrne/St. Vincent – Love this Giant: She brought out the young man in him; he matured the sometimes too-precious young lady in her. Add horns – sonic fun!
• Beach House – Bloom: For those of us who could not get enough of Teen Dream.
• Dirty Projectors – Swing Lo, Magellan: Not as novelty-filled as Bitte Orca, but every bit as adventurous.
• Richard Hawley – Standing at the Sky’s Edge: Not terribly different from his last couple of records, but still the master of his genre; ennui-tinged crooning from the depths of despair, the seat of a motorcycle.
• Sharon Van Etten – Tramp: This seems like a classic already, partially because it’s been out so long, partially because of solid songcraft.
• The Shins – Port of Morrow: They’re the losers to the competition in their genre – their past catalog…that being said, more solid pop songcraft, with more nods to the 70’s (Steely Dan, Jackson Browne, Wings).
• Frank Ocean – channel Orange: Hands down the best soul/r & b record of the year, will get me by until the next Raphael Saadiq album. Gotta love anything Andre 3000 guests on, for that matter.

Honorable mentions:

Menomena – Moms, Bat for Lashes – The Haunted Man, Brian Jonestown Massacre – Aufheben, Black Moth Super Rainbow – Cobra Juicy, The Tallest Man on Earth – There’s No Leaving Now, Purity Ring – , Swans – The Seer

“Friends in Brooklyn”

Albums that I think benefit  a bit too much from hipster cred:

• Scott Walker – love the guy, but this record needs more of him punching meat or something, methinks…
• Liars – record good, live show terrible…
• Lower Dens – umm, ok….
• The Walkmen – I thought that, like the product with their name, they went by the wayside…guess there will always be a home for them across the East River, when they’re called the Walkers…
• Ty Segall – I mean, Magnet magazine has three of his records in their top 10…wow!?
• Sleigh Bells – should be spelled “Slay”…
• Japandroids – robots, in their current incarnation, are really quite boring and predictable…

LIVE SHOWS:

• Grizzly Bear (October 4^th, Keller Auditorium)– someone called them the best band of their generation, might agree – great light show, to boot…
• Glen Campbell – (though I saw him at Hollywood Bowl, he did play Arlene Schnitzer – same night I saw Bruce Springsteen) – show me another septuagenarian that can still do what he does – plus, Dawes opened with guests singing songs that Campbell performed on in his heyday as a studio gun-for-hire (Beach Boys lead vocals provided by Courtney Taylor-Taylor)
• All Things Bruce – (November 27^th, Mississippi Studios) – as a precursor to the Boss’ show, local musicians came together to cover him in celebration of local author Peter Ames Carlin’s bio; so many great moments, none better than Corin Tucker’s take on “Because the Night”, or Storm Large’s “Born to Run” with full band (including Steve Berlin – Los Lobos, producer extraordinaire – playing the part of Clarence Clemons). Super fun!
• David Byrne/St. Vincent – (June 15^th, Arlene Schnitzer Hall) – never had the money to see the Talking Heads when they did tour, so this was my substitute…and it was brilliant, as the two talents complemented each other so well.
• M. Ward – (September 20^th, The Aladdin) – arguably the sweetest guitar player alive returned home (to his expectant wife, in audience) to make sonic wizardry look effortless.
• Brian Jonestown Massacre (May 19^th, Wonder Ballroom) – though notorious for legendary naughtiness, Mr. Newcombe and company showed off why so many consider him, and them, to be borderline legends.
• Dirty Projectors (July 25^th, Crystal Ballroom) –Dave Longstreth seemed determined to return the energy he borrowed from Portland when he began the DP’s while crashing with his brother, a Reed College student – an amazing show which included, supposedly, the only 3^rd encore of their tour
• Destroyer (June 4^th, The Aladdin) – Dan Bejar played all the “hits”, seemingly drawing from all over his now burgeoning catalog from just one of his bands.
• First Aid Kit (April 12^th, Wonder Ballroom) – The Swedish sister act created some vocal magic for an incredibly enthusiastic crowd, it’s third visit in a year to a place they seem to consider a home away from home.
• Jeff Mangum (April 8^th,, Crystal Ballroom) – The reclusive frontman for legendary Neutral Milk Hotel turned on the charm, as well as the tunes, as – armed only with his guitar on the expansive Crystal stage – he zoomed through one fan favorite after another, eventually accompanied by members of Elf Power on a handful of songs that showcased his talent for complex arrangements
• Sharon Van Etten/War on Drugs (March 23^rd,, Aladdin Theater) – A great double-bill (something which seems to be rarer and rarer), Van Etten followed up a solid set from Philadelphia’s War on Drugs with a dynamic set of her own, her powerful voice and haunting lyrics framed perfectly by a talented band which included Portland’s Heather Broderick (Horsefeathers).

Van Etten wows, War on Drugs channel Springsteen live in Portland

It doesn’t hurt when Bon Iver covers you, The National produce you, SXSW adores you, and hip websites anoint you the latest musical “it” girl.

That being said, Sharon Van Etten – touring on the strength of her latest, Tramp, didn’t disappoint a packed house at The Aladdin. After a solid set from Philadelphia’s The War on Drugs (channeling early Springsteen, and a self-professed love of The Waterboys – who they covered in their encore), Van Etten and her talented supporting cast seemed right at home in the intimate confines of The Aladdin.

Though Van Etten was the clear attraction, a reasonable contingent of folks were also on hand to support the (arguably) equally talented Heather Woods Broderick, who provided flawless harmony vocals, keyboards and guitar. Broderick (affectionately nicknamed “Bro-Derek” by Van Etten during their tour) is a Portlander, and Smells Like Pop has witnessed her talent first hand as a member of Horse Feathers (along with her brother, Peter Broderick).

The band fleshed out the subtle and nuanced dynamics of Tramp – taking an already solid record, and bringing it lovingly to life. Guitarist Doug Keith captured the gothic-twang necessary to make “Give Out” shine, while drummer Zeke Hutchins allowed the power and menace of “Serpents” to be showcased.

With her talent on an upward trajectory, hopefully the young Van Etten won’t get pitchforked over for the next inevitable find.

(photos by William Olson)

Friday, March 23rd – The Aladdin (the Friday night which “begins” spring break)
Sharon Van Etten/The War on Drugs ($16): her newest record has been growing on me, but the jury is still a little out; they (The War on Drugs) are solid – David and I caught a bit of them opening for Destroyer – and I didn’t realize that Kurt Vile (whose solo record is growing on me) is part of the band. They were recently added to the bill – at arguably the best live venue in Portland.

Sunday, April 8th – The Aladdin
Heartless Bastards ($18): our friend Alessi heartily recommended these folks’ latest, The Arrow. So it’s cool that they are playing The Aladdin (did I already say it was probably the best venue in Portland?)

Thursday, April 12th – Wonder Ballroom
First Aid Kit/Peggy Sue ($12/14): Two of my favorite acts of the last year tour together (Peggy Sue was recently added, and then the venue was changed from the Doug Fir to Wonder Ballroom). Though I’d rather have seen the show at the Doug Fir (small, better sound) – this is the best double bill I’ve seen in some time.

Monday, June 4th – The Aladdin
Destroyer ($18/20): Yeah – a Monday show, wtf? – but their last record still sometimes gives me goosebumps, and they are playing at The Aladdin, which might be…yadda yadda…