texas

I was worried for awhile that this really wasn't a music-type blog anymore; things were just getting too personal or tangental. road and austin stories to follow. so here you go, reviews of 35 bands at SXSW in loosely chronological order, suckers:

golden dogs: the new york times was at this bbq and quite liked them. so the ol' Grey Lady ain't just about BSS no more.
pilate: the new album will be very pilate.
new pornographers: had a prime spot at Stubb's, the biggest bar in town. neko linep shockingly impressive.
belle and sebastian: shockingly average. could not have picked a more confrontational setlist. still fun though.
the rumble strips: rough UK rock. want to here more.
you say party! we say die!: one of the top showings all week. ran out of songs shortly before their alloted time ran up. really fun.
go! team: in-store at Waterloo. awful mix. only 3 songs, 1 new, 1 instrumental-why not let Ninja sleep in?
leeroy stagger: I understand the last name now, totally.
run chico run: I was behind a bathroom door for most of them, but they seemed alright. there was beer in the bathtub.
hylozoists: better in more intimate settings, and the hotel room show was therefore amazing.
they shoot horses, don't they?: best in festival. weird, smart continuous mix of madness. Dollarama with a Phd.
magnet: he's really cool, a far cry from the Comfort Zone, up on the 18th floor of a hotel. one of the stronger reps on the live looping bandwagon.
erase errata: a junior, butchier Sleater Kinney. watch out.
xiu xiu: sound problems were confounding and frustrating for all. quite disappointing.
dresden dolls: surprisingly powerful duo. made a great impression on sizeable Stubbs crowd.
gomez: like B&S, defied high expectations by playing all brand new material. some people are paying to see this, you know?
zutons: played a surprise gig early on friday. a little too loud, but a lot of fun as always.
princess superstar: Lame. a low-rent Peaches without a working projector. not an enfant terrible, just terrible.
boy least likely too: this year's Thrills. couldn't hold me longer than 20min., but interested in the album.
asobi seksu: if not for their frontwoman, what of them? not much.
subways: one hit bleh-ness.
metric: proceeded to kill. austin hasn't yet heard it's fashionable to dis these guys.
spinto band: lousy venue-all the gear had to be trudged through the crowd. lost in generity.
sharon jones and the dap kings: wasn't really in the mood by this point for such huge enthusiasm, but the band was hotter than anything. will see again here in TO.
neko case: brilliant, yes, but people have to GET OVER her.
ray davies: a slightly odd, interesting man. unlike Neil Young, still willing to get into the hits.
ghostface killah: defeated any low expectations soundly.
cadence weapon: worked smallish crowd fiercely. he should've gotten better.
lovely feathers: competing with louder band next door, dancy popness was okay.
roseanne cash: new album much-bantered, lots of material in her dad's death. effective.
pink mountaintops: fantastic until late-set psych jam. lose it and you'll have people saying Black Mountain who?
marty stuart: played in a church, all gospel. this made a night of contrasts. let band members shine, big time.
lady sovereign: played 25-minute set as a 40min set, (long intro, breaks, banter). amazing presence, weak beats. she seems lonely.
shout out out out out: will kill on the Gomez circuit.