Sounds a LOT like Stephin Merritt….the Magnetic Fields like gum??

Watch the commercial here.

 discuss?

Last night I listened to (and re-appreciated) one of my favorite albums, XTC’s 1986 song cycle Skylarking.  A result of tumultuous recording sessions which mostly broke out in arguments between lead singer Andy Partridge and producer Todd Rundgren (of “sounds of the studio” fame), Skylarking was the mid-’80s answer to the intricately arranged chamber-pop masterpieces of the 1960s.  The closest comparison would be the equally British The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society, which came out 18 years prior.
Skylarking followed on the coattails of an earlier foray into more pastoral music, 1983’s Mummer.  While the more rocking The Big Express was sandwiched between the two, Mummer and Skyarking laid the groundwork for XTC’s future style.  Previously, the group was known for jittery, keyboard-heavy punk and new wave.  The move toward more sophisticated sounds came around 1982’s English Settlement, best remembered for its single “Senses Working Overtime”.
Many fans and critics consider Skylarking to be XTC’s magnum opus.  Indeed, it was by this point that XTC had become primarily a studio band, having ceased touring after Partridge’s stagefright grounded the band in March of 1982.  Not unlike unlike The Beatles before them who also became pioneers of the recording studio, XTC shifted towards a more experimental sound.  During these sessions, the band would record five LPs (including Skylarking), as well as material under the name The Dukes Of The Stratosphear.  This project was the group’s homage to the ’60s psychedelia that had influenced them.  The Zombies, The Byrds, early Pink Floyd: all were saluted over the course of an album and an EP.
Since its release, Skylarking has inspired more than a few artists to pick up both a guitar and a cello.  The lush and melancholy arrangements of  “That’s Really Super, Supergirl” and “1000 Umbrellas” are echoed in Belle & Sebastian’s and The Decemberists‘ earlier recordings, and even the biting lyrics of “Dear God” aren’t too far off from Trent Reznor’s sentiments in “Heresy”.
About a year ago, Partridge told Pitchfork Media that he had lost contact with songwriting partner and bassist/vocalist Colin Moulding.  Having released their final album, Wasp Star: Apple Venus Vol. 2, back in 2000, the future might seem bleak for fans of XTC.  Thankfully, collaborations with countless artists keep the members of XTC in the spotlight, even if they’d rather be waiting in the wings.

Last week I actually paid for tickets to see a concert - the Foo Fighters at the Spectrum. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’ve had the opportunity to see concert after concert over the past few years - and I’ve seen some pretty darn good ones.

However, very few bands could even be placed in the same category as the Foos, both in terms of their music as well as the quality of their performance. It’s one thing for bands who have played together for a while to just go on tours, sing their set lists, and have their token crowd interaction. But what’s very, very difficult to pull off is having that certain je ne sais quoi: stage presence, unique musical arrangements, playing on the crowd’s emotion, making it impossible to not want to see (or hear) more.

Dave Grohl & co. do all that and more. Generally, I hate large “arena-sized” shows because you always feel so removed from what’s going on onstage. So what did the Foo Fighters do at the Spectrum? They created a second stage in the middle of the floor and played several songs in the round for people farthest away from the main stage. Also, they used a large ramp for Dave to run back and forth on while the crowd went crazy.

And it isn’t just Dave - everyone in the band has stage presence. From Taylor Hawkin’s drum solo to even a special “triangle solo” by Drew Hester, the members all work off each other with tremendous cohesion. Jessy Greene, who has been playing the cello and violin on this tour, also sang a duet with Dave during the encore (for “Big Me”).

There is a reason the Foo Fighters win Grammy Awards, have sold out concerts, and consistently come up with platinum albums: they are one of the great rock bands of our generation. Ironically, Dave kept referencing The Grateful Dead’s soldout concert reign at The Spectrum - pointing to the banner honoring the feat.

The Foo Fighters speak to the Gen-Y-ers who came out of the Nirvana grunge era - they speak to thirty and forty-something parents as well as to twenty-somethings. And, they speak to younger kids (12? 10? 8?) just starting to hear their new stuff. The crowd really did feature 7 year olds to 45 year olds - signifying that the Foo Fighters are truly great. Not just good. Not just producing a couple hit songs. Not just playing a kick ass concert. Not a band you like to simply chill out to. The Foo Fighters are a great rock band.

Pearl Jam, U2, Green Day - sure, they’re in that same category. But last night was about Dave Groehl and the Foos - reminding me why I enjoy music and keep coming back for more.

Last week’s Foo Fighters’ show at the Spectrum in Philly is still living in my sore neck, lost voice, and slightly foggy ears.

 I tried to think back to the last time I was at the Spectrum for a show - wayyyyyy back in April of 97 for Beck/Cardigans/Atari Teenage Riot - and then realized I hadn’t seen the Foo’s live in person since the FEASTival of 1998!  Add this to the fact that I was super pumped to see Against Me! again, and I was one pretty insanely psyched girl.

Against Me! had the hard task of opening the show and only getting 1/2 hour slot.  I ran to the very front of the floor as soon as I heard their first notes from the concourse where we were set up with the YRockonXPN HD Radio (which sounded awesome, btw).  I sang my lungs out, pumped my fist a gazillion times, and danced like a nut to songs like Stop!, Thrash Unreal, and more.  A great thing about AM! is that they don’t BS on stage at all, and their songs are super tight, so they were able to play at least 10 songs - including “From Her Lips to God’s Ears” and “Don’t Lose Touch” from Searching for a Former Clarity.

I didn’t see any of Serj, but it sounded okay from the concourse.

Then the Foo’s! OOOHH the FOO’S!!!  You forget how many hits they have had in the past 13 years.  Song after song after song of hits.  Highlights included - Monkey Wrench, Everlong acoustic from the center stage out in the crowd (actually the whole acoustic thing was insane), Breakout, Big Me, lots of Dave saying funny funny things and being one of the best front men in all of rock.  Seriously, I see how huge the Foo’s are and then have to be like - HOLY CRAP HE WAS IN NIRVANA TOO!!!  Just an insane musician and entertainer.

 Anyway - awesome time, my throat kills, and I took some pics which are here.  I’ll post some more pics later for yas!

On Saturday night, I saw one of my favorite bands to see live and in person, in one of the best venues in Philadelphia. Wilco @ the Tower…a search on the incredibly nerdy WilcoBase.com reveals they’ve never played the Tower before. The guys haven’t been back here since 2005’s show on Penn’s Landing in the summer, and were outstanding. Fresh off their residency in Chicago, where they played every song on all their official studio albums (along with a handful of rarities), we didn’t get a total obscurity set, but a few standbys were dropped (I believe that was the first show I’d seen sans “Heavy Metal Drummer” since Jeff wrote it!). I could go on and on (and on), but here, I’ll just cut + paste the setlist for you:

Sunken Treasure
Remember the Mountain Bed
Airline to Heaven
Hesitating Beauty
Muzzle of Bees
You Are My Face
Side With The Seeds
A Shot in the Arm
She’s a Jar
Kamera
Handshake Drugs
At Least That’s What You Said
Pot Kettle Black
Nothingsevergonnastandinmyway(again)
Via Chicago
Impossible Germany
Jesus, Etc.
Walken
I’m the Man Who Loves You
Hummingbird
On and On and On
———–
Hate It Here
Red-Eyed and Blue >
I Got You
Hoodoo Voodoo

Hey local music fans ,

It’s Jake Rabid of the Y-Rock Philly Local back again with  another  Y-Rock Local Music Update.

First off I want to tell you about a great show this week in Philly!

PHILLY LOCAL SHOW OF THE WEEK

Thursday February 28th -9pm @ The Khyber

The Young Werewolves - The Young Werewolves represent Philly proudly with their perfected sound of Punk meets rockabilly. Their sound bears influence to punk & rockabilly staples such as the Misfits, & The Stray Cats. The high energy music of these hillbilly hellraiser can even give genre mainstays The Cramps & the Dammned a run for their money.

with The Cool and Deadly - This group from Brooklyn, NY melds the sounds of Roots & Rocksteady with big bad dirty rock n roll with a sound simelar to Rancid & The Aggrolites.

——————————————————————————–

Now its time to take a look at some of the great new music reviewed this week that you can hear every Sunday on The Y-Rock Philly Local

NEW LOCAL MUSIC REVEIWS  2/24/08

The Bee Team - “Hot Times USA” (One Neighborhood Productions)

We’ve been playing the song “Boots” by this band for a while now on Y-Rock. The album offers up a bunch of songs that are just as good as the first single if not better. Really top notch indie rock from Philly with banjos & slide guitars with a sound reminiscent of The Postal Service, The Breeders, and PJ Harvey, if they all decided to get toghether and jam out after  a long night of boozing and listening to The Band , and Neil Young’s records. Wow, really solid stuff!

BEST TRACKS: 1 “Birds & The Bees”, 2 “The Fall”, 3 “Waiting For A Call” 5 “For Lindsay”, 7 “Slow Down” 10  “Ray Gun”, 4 “Fridge Door”

Jake’s Rating: 5 of 5

CHANCELORPINK - “VALENTINE PARADE” (Wax Electric Recordings)

Indie goth pop from Pittburgh, PA sounds like David Bowie  meets Moby, meets Brian Eno, with a dark Bauhous, The Cure style vibe…

BEST TRACKS: 3 “Red Wedding Dress”, 6 ” Knotted Shoelace,” “9 Baby’s Gone To Bible”, 1 “Unfinnished Valentine”

Jake’s Rating: 3 1/2 of 5

McRad -”FDR” (Uprising Records)

In the late 80’s early ’90’s  Chuck Treece was Philly answer to Tony Hawk, when not shredding the halfpipe he beecame one of Phillys most influential musicains as well playing guitar with Underdog & The Roots, bass on Billy Joel’s River of Dreams LP, Touring as drummer for Bad Brains, as well as philly favorites such as Stiffed, The Mosquitos, & G. Love. Not just a gun for hire, Treece was often the man behid the boards in recording the studios as well. He has produced and collaborated with artists such as Huffamoose, Ben Arnold,  G. Love & Special Sauce, and Don McCloskey… And while all that is no shabby resume what Chuck Treece is still known for is his band McRad. Now Chuck Treece is back fronting Philly’s most infamous Harcore/Skate punk act. On the new CD “FDR “(named after the South Philly park) McRad’s familiar skate punk shows a sign of maturity with elements of Thrash Metal, Jazz Reggae, and Hip Hop, easily recogized in their unique sound that is a blast of energy and Philly attitiude. Sounds like Bad Brains, Fugazi, pre Caifornicated  Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rancid, & Fishbone…. This album consistanly rules the whole way through.

BEST TRACKS: 2 ” Feel”, 4 “Violin”, 8 “McShred”, 1 “Ejected”,  1″Ejected”, 11 ” Words Of Life”, 6 Tomorrow’s Headline

Jake’s Rating: 5 of 5

ONE STEP CLOSER - “Pancake Thunder” -CD Single

Pseudo grunge rock from Oxford, PA. Sounds like Stone Temple Pilots, Silvertide, Bush, etc…..Nothing terribly original or special, but still a catchy tune.

Best Tracks: 1 “Pancake Thunder”

Jake’s Rating: 3 of 5

SELKOW - “IT’S CALLED HOPE” (FLAVES ENTERTAINMENT)

This acoustic rock trio from Trenton NJ melds upbeat fun pop rock with a hip hop vibe. Sounds like G. Love, Ben Folds, Jack Johnson,  Counting Crows, etc.

BEST TRACKS: 6 “STARS”, 4 “It’s Called Hope”, 1 “Repeat”, 3 ” I Know You”

Jake’s Rating: 3 of 5

SOCIETY BEAT- “…Brother Luke and the long ride home”

Folky sounding indie rock from Reading, PA. Sounds like Wilco, My Morning Jacket, Hoots & Hellmouth. A very consistantly great album from first song to last.

BEST TRACKS: 6 “Paid To Fight”, 10 “I Forgot Your Name”, 2 “Rollerrink”, 5 “Traveling By Bus”, 8 “Crush”, 11 ” Call Me Back”

Jake’s Rating: 4 of 5

———————————————————————–

Finally in case you missed it here’s a tracklist of what was played this week on the Y-Rock Philly Local.

This week we were happy to have Andrew Lipke stop by in studio and talk with us and record 4 songs for Y-Rock’s Local Tracks sessions. Song’s he played for us included: “On My Way”, “Flesh And Bone”, “I’ll Hold You”, & “My One And Only”…. If you missed it this week don’t fret the performance was recorded and we’ll be playing them and all the local tracks recordings back for many months to come hear on the Y-Rock On XPN Philly Local.

Here’s what was played this week on the Y-Rock Philly Local

 8pm

Did you miss any of it? Well tune in next Sunday for the best music from the Philadelphia area. Tune in every Sunday night to the Y-Rock Philly Local on 88.5 HD-2 Y-Rock On XPN…

 You got music you want me to hear, or maybe a local show you think I should know about?

Let me know jake@yrockonxpn.org

Perhaps you were too late to get tickets to the Foo Fighters show here in Philly on Thursday the 21st, and you didn’t win the last pair voting for the top 11 last week, and you are thinking to yourself, “Gee whiz, I would love to see the Foo Fighters play an entire concert live.”

Well you can on Tuesday the 19th of Feb. FUSE is going to be showing the Foo’s entire set from Madison Square Garden in NYC live and commercial free to boot.

Get all the info right here.

So this is it, the blog is up and running.
I’m excited, to finally have a method to read the thoughts of the staff and listeners of WXPN and Y-Rock On XPN.

My postings are for the most part going to reflect what’s happening in Philadelphia’s music scene.

If you are a musician and would like to hear your music on my show The Y- Rock On XPN Philly Local feel free to contact me at jake@yrockonxpn.org .
You can also send your music and a brief bio to:

The Y-Rock On XPN Philly Local
Attn: Jake
3025 Walnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Throughout each week check the blog for my Local Band Show of the Week, Local Band’s CD of The Week, New Local Music Reviews, Philly Local Playlist Postings, and more…

And if you have any additional opinions on my posts, comment back and tell me what you think….

So this weeks posting will be a little lengthly since I am going to do an all in one for this initial post.

LOCAL MUSIC REVIEWS FOR THE WEEK
THE MIDNIGHT BOTTLE CLUB -
These guys were a staple at the Grape Street for a while.
They are a bluesy rock group from the Manyunk section of Philly. They have a extremely catchy
pop meets rock sound. A collision of big rock sounds with similarities to Velvet Revolver, Stone
Temple Pilots, Bush, Live, & Fuel. Ten years ago a band with this sound would have been huge
BEST TRACKS: #2 “One More Mile”, #1 “Be My Everything”, #3 “Hand”
JAKE’S RATING: 3 of 5

BOSCO & PECK - ” The Burden Of A Healthy Mind”
To put it simply, this is a whole lot of fun although I think is more WXPN sounding than it is Y-
Rock. Soulful funk rock from Philly with a hip-hop vibe.
Sounds like, Sharon Jones, The Roots, Fathead, Alicia Keys, and a little Ben Harper. Really great
stuff.
BEST TRACKS: #10 “Ain’t It Strange”, #5 Lie To Me,#3 Last Time,#2 Every Night,#7 She Don’t
Know,#1 I Can’t Help, #8 I’m Not Right ,& #11 Cold
JAKE’S RATING: 4 1/2 of 5

PERSONA - “International Gems (Sampler)”
More impressive experimental electronic meets indie prog rock from Philly. Sounds like post
Velvet Underground Lou Reed, meets Odelay era Beck, meets Mars Volta. In other words, its
really good and there isn’t much you have heard like this before.
BEST TRACKS: #2 Republicans for Education, #1 My Best Weight,….and # 3 Sweet Condoleesa is
amazing but it drops f-bombs left and right, so give it a listen but don’t play it.
JAKE’S RATING: 5 of 5

A. GAMMARINO 111 - “Rock N Roll Chicks Rule”
Stripped down indie rock meets the blues from Springfield PA.
This album is basically re-cut tracks of all the stuff he sent in before that I reviewed and gave a good rating, You might say this CD is custom made for the Y-Rock Philly Local.
Anyway sounds like R.E.M. Guided By Voices, Tom Petty, & Beck.
BEST TRACKS: #12″Angel Girl”,#3 ” 145 Heaven”,#7″ Rainy Wednesday”, #2 Landscapers
Blues”,#17″Think Its Love” ,#8 Art’s Blues”,#1 ” M”,#5 ” Red Shoes On”,& #14 ” No More”

Look Out Next week for reviews from the following:
- McRad
- Brass
-Selkow
-Chancellorpark
-& more!
—————————

LOCAL BAND SHOW OF THE WEEK

WONKAVISION MAGAZINE PRESENTS
THE LOVED ONES
w/Amateur Party, & The Ergs
Sunday February 24th @7:30pm
At The First Unitarian Church

Why is this the local show of the week? Well….

WONKAVISION MAGAZINE PRESENTS R5productions.com
WonkavisionMagazine.com

Y-ROCK PHILLY LOCAL PLAYLIST 2.17.08

8pm
Milton And The Devils Party - Coward Of Conscience
G Love - Astronaut
Buzz Zeemer - Live Next Door
The Trolleyvox - Jean Jacket
The Cobbs - When The Morning Comes
The Bee Team - Boots
Sean Lee & The Masquerades - Backroom Lullabies
Marah - Float Away - Float Away With The Friday Night Gods
The Swimmers - We Love To Build
The Teeth - Molly Make Him Pay
Hail Social - Get In The Car - Hail Social
Blood Feathers - Big Hearts
Dragon City - I Saw The Light
Eastern Conference Champions - Yuppy Hipster

9pm
Bosco & Peck - Ain’t It Strange - The Burden Of A Healthy Mind
The A-sides - Sorry Cloud - Hello Hello
The Midnight Bottle Club - Be My Everything - Midnight Bottle Club
Persona - Republicans For Public Education - International Gems
Be Careful Little Hands - Unravel
Except After Sea - Down In The City
Like A Fox - Kingdom Come - Lix A Fox
Cabin Dogs - Together Again
The Reds - Little Cisco - Fugitives From The Laughing House
Brass - The Optimist - Set & Drift
Brass - The Optimist - Set & Drift
Public Record - Fake Rain
Jotto - Backyard Circus - Jotto
Prowler - World Domination - Communizzle
A. Gammarino 111 - Angel Girl - Rock N Roll Chicks Rule
Hong Kong Stingray - I Hear They Smoke The Barbecue

That’s all for now.
Thanks again for supporting Local Philadelphia Music and Y-Rock On XPN

- Jake

For more information on The Y-Rock On XPN’s PHILLY LOCAL check out our myspace site

and for more information on everthing Y-Rock

Philly native Santi White - now known as Santogold with Brooklyn as her homebase - has been blogged about incessantly, featured in Rolling Stone as an “Artist to Watch”, and loved by Bjork.

Now she has lent a hand in a new children’s video for Zune Arts.

The video is called Tickle Party. It features cute furry puppets and Santogold’s song “Say Aha” as the soundtrack. The video was created by the Miami, Fl based art crew Friends with You.

You can check it out right here (when I figure out how to get the video to embed, I’ll post it right on this blog, but it was giving me some trouble this morning )

I never got tired of or annoyed by Tay Zonday and his mad genius…”Chocolate Rain” and “Internet Dream” still amuse me. But I think I have a higher tolerance for novelty that most other folks. So last night, I saw this video and it made my day. Tay Zonday as a guest on Lily Allen’s new BBC variety show, in which he COVERS her song “Smile”!! If you just want to witness musical history, skip to about 3:30: