May11

Antennas Up – “The Awkward Phase”

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Antennas Up – “The Awkward Phase”

So. You’ve seen this picture before. Whatevs. From left to right: Ryan, Nicole, Bo, me, Jonny and Kyle. AU!

“So what’s with the impassive pace?  Can your sentiments come out to play?” (“The Awkward Phase”)

Oh yeah.  I totally got the CD “The Awkward Phase” early.  That’s what seeing the band live before the official CD release gets you.

So, let’s talk about it.  Because I’m EXPLODING out of my skin to talk about it.

Here it is.  The deets.  This album is amazing.  I love their debut album, but this one is, quite simply but, better.  It has all of the quirkiness we’ve come to expect from AU (a lot of the nerdiness, too) with a healthy splash of retro delight.  It’s wonderful and deserves all of the praise I can heap on it.  Also, I’m now obsessed with vocoders.

The album begins with the title track “The Awkward Phase.”  Obviously, I love the song enough to name it the song of the month.  It’s catchy, upbeat and the lyrics are fantastic.  And the songs stay consistently fantastic, as displayed by the second song on the album.

“I’ll be your mistake and you’ll be my instinct.  You’ll think I’m so great, naked and red faced.” (“Coming On”)

Adore that last bit.  ”Coming On” has the catchiness of “The Awkward Phase” and all of the lyrical wonder.  But that’s not where the album stops.  You can hear the different genres and influences in this album.  In “Lights Out”, we get a taste of a change in pace.

“I like the light off your body when you move it, you like to show it off, so come on let me use it. You never stop (woo!).  You never stop (woo!).  Got my attention, show me what you got.” (“Lights Out”)

Bam.  The first time I heard this song, my jaw dropped and I smiled at the same time.  It’s not that it’s a different vibe from Antennas Up in the past, it’s more like they’re clarifying their sound.  They aren’t sticking in the same mold.  It just sounds like they’re getting more comfortable in their own skin, and the music is all the better for it.

And if you want to hear the song that has never been far from my mind over the last few months, take a gander (assuming gandering could also be used for listening) at “Wormholes.”

“Traveling through time, quantum suicide.  Now you all will see my paradox machine, this can and cannot be.”

It is everything I’ve ever wanted in a song.  Also, I’m convinced Jonny doesn’t actually breathe through significant parts of it, which is just impressive.  And, while I think wormholes are incredibly sentimental, you may disagree.  And if you do, listen to “Untitled (How Will I Know).”

“I crawl away up my front stairs, I reach for you and you’re not there.  Unconscious underneath my bed, my hands are wet, my eyes are red.  I didn’t leave ’cause I didn’t love, I left ’cause I loved just enough and with those words came crashing down every mirror in every town.”

It’s a beautiful and moving song.  I highly recommend it.  And it’s a wonderful display of variety.  The album is full of dance numbers, but this one really slows it down and provides a needed contrast.  It provides the depth that quickly made this album a much needed addition to your iTunes library.

But my favorite song on the album is the last, “My Brain.”  I don’t even know if I could tell you why it’s my favorite, except that it haunts me.  Which definitely makes sense when you listen to the lyrics.

“I measure out my time to indulge in sin, then rest alone repeating the coda.  She writes my name, the music keeps going in my brain.  She writes my name, the music keeps going in my brain.”

So.  To summarize this album:  Futuristic retro wonderland.  The album will you make you jump, nod your head, and wish to any listening deities that you could get the music out of your head…but don’t worry.  After listening to the album a couple of times, you really don’t mind that it stays there.  That’s because you’ve been indoctrinated.

Step into their web.

1. “The Awkward Phase”

2. “Coming On”

3. “December”

4. “Lights Out”

5. “Lose It”

6. “Untitled (How Will I Know)”

7. “Wormholes”

8. “Pretenders”

9. “Take Tonight Away”

10. “My Brain”

Show Poster for Antennas Up “The Awkward Phase.” The guys signed it. Ryan is responsible for the inappropriate drawings.

Lyrics: A

Music: A+

Overall: A+

And they have a Kickstarter right now for radio promotion of “The Awkward Phase.”  The rewards are fantastic, as is the cause.  Let’s do this.

“The Awkward Phase” is available nationwide on May 15th.  Get some.

May6

The Awkward Phase – Antennas Up

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The Awkward Phase – Antennas Up

Darlings, my apologies.  I haven’t posted in over a month.  I’m terrible, no good and awful.  If you hold a grudge, I understand.  If you glare at your computer monitor right now, I’ll take it.

But I still love you, and I think you should give us another chance.  Particularly since I have such wonderful things to impart.

First, here’s the song for May.  I just got my hands on the new Antennas Up album last night (an album review will be up after I listen to it several times and let it marinate in my brain), and the title track “The Awkward Phase” is wonderful.

Also, the title seems to uniquely describe my life right now.  I’m graduating from college this Saturday.  My life is turning upside down. The title immediately appealed.

So, here it is.

“The Awkward Phase” by Antennas Up.

Antennas Up has a Kickstarter campaign right now for radio promotion of “The Awkward Phase.”  Antennas Up is too great a band not to be known.  Donate to the Kickstarter, get some awesome rewards and help the guys get the recognition they deserve.

Also, if you want a copy of their new album, you need to go see them live (an experience I HIGHLY recommend) or wait until May 15th when the album is released nationwide.

See?  I had such wonderful news to share this time around.

And the news only gets better from here.  Keep posted, you lovely folks.

Apr2

The Gymnast, High Above the Ground – The Decemberists

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The Gymnast, High Above the Ground – The Decemberists

All right.  Happy April, everyone.  I’ve got a special treat for you, as far as theme song of the month goes.

I’m in love with The Decemberists, so it only seemed right that I should work them in somewhere.

This is from my favorite album by them, and happens to be a splendid song.  Check it out.

The Gymnast, High Above the Ground by The Decemberists

Oh, and have you checked out the new Dance Card?  Because there are some exciting things on there.  You know.  In case you’re into awesome things.

Mar11

Antennas Up – Springfield, MO: Nathan. P Murphy’s 3-10-12

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Antennas Up – Springfield, MO: Nathan. P Murphy’s 3-10-12

Band: Antennas Up

Venue: Nathan P. Murphy’s

Location: Springfield, MO

Tickets: $5 ($2 w/ student ID)

Date: 3-10-12

Myself and my friend Nicole with Antennas Up. From left to right: The Ryantist (performing some crazy dance moves), Nicole, Bo, myself, Jonny Universe and Kyle (that's probably his British face). And as the date stamp suggests, we time traveled.

 This night was wonderful.  Super crazy impressive like.

First, Antennas Up manages to consistently be awesome.  This was my third time seeing them, and I can honestly say that they bring it every time.

Second, my friend Jon came to the show and loved them as much as I do.

But I should probably speak a little more coherently about the show.  Like, maybe I should have a chronological order of the night.  If you insist on order, who am I to naysay you?  Other than the writer of the blog post.  But whatever.

We got to the venue a little after doors.  Because you can’t miss anything, you know?

We went and inspected the merch tables (Yes, I bought things.  It’s their fault for having the iPhone app enabling them to process credit cards.  FYI, everyone going to their shows, they will accept your credit cards.  Weep with joy/despair.), then grabbed a table.  After sound check, Kyle came over and sat with us for awhile.

Jon informed him he looked like Tom Baker.  Kyle was flattered and shocked.

Then, the show began.

Antennas Up tearing it up.

It was, as previously mentioned, wonderful.  They played mostly new songs from their upcoming album (should be available in the next couple of months) and, if those songs are any indication, this album is going to be amazing.  The songs are crazy catchy, and very well written.  I think this album is going to be better than their debut and, considering how much I like their debut, that’s saying something.

More impressively, the guys managed their usual energetic stage presence and played impeccably.  They were the first band up, and they really set the bar high for the rest of the night.  Everyone just has fun listening to them.

My only complaint is that their set wasn’t as long as I would’ve liked.  Here’s a copy of their setlist:

Antennas Up 3-10-12 Setlist, obtained from Kyle.

Eight songs just wasn’t enough.  But they did do a whole lot with those eight songs.  Nicole and I were hanging out in front of the stage, and we were having a great time with it.  Some couples started dancing.  It was a party.

Moral of this story: Antennas Up is a fun band with fun guys playing energetic and addicting music.  You have to admire the tongue in cheek humor (I’m looking at you, “On the Line”) even as you identify with some of the  unrequited themes in “December.”

“I’ve come a long way for this and every time we try and forget for one moment that we are only friends…I can’t help my intending.”

That song makes me sigh every time I listen to it.  And the live performance was just as stunning (if not more so) than the single I’m currently listening to on iTunes (btw, you can buy it here).

And, after the show, they still manage to be personable and entertaining.  Bo and I talked about music and books (Thank you for telling me about The Weeknd.  I downloaded House of Balloons and love it.).

Kyle, Jon and I had a lengthy and enlightening discussion about Doctor Who (For real, Kyle, you need to watch the latest season.  It’s sooooo mind blowing).

Ryan danced at random moments during conversations.  And I mean HE DANCED.  He’s got some moves.

Jonny was told a story about the time a man fought a shark, killed it and made a hat out of it (this story will only make sense to three people…you know who you are).

I bought an Antennas Up hoodie (Which I’ve been wearing since I left the concert.  It’s now the most comfortable hoodie I own.) and received a CD with their single on it, and a song that didn’t quite make the cut for the new album.

December.

Also, their version of “Friday.”  I’m going to hate them for making me sing that song.

And, as has been my habit for the past few months, I got them to sign my shirt.

My website shirt. The guys of Antennas Up and Heypenny signed in red. You'll notice that Jonny Universe ♥'s Allyson's Setlist. It'll be hard to top that signature.

We came, we listened to some awesome music, and we hung out with some awesome guys.  It’s hard to get better than that.  Except when you consider that Heypenny was also there.  But that’s for tomorrow’s blog post.

Now, it is time for the report card!

Concert: A

Venue: A

Drink Prices: A+

Audience: B*

Overall: A

*For quite a bit of time, there were only three people standing in front of the stage.  Come on, ya’ll.  That’s where the cool kids stand!

PS: Kyle and Bo told me they’ll be back in Springfield later next month as part of their album release tour.  If you’re sad that you missed this concert (and you really should be sad), don’t fret.  They’ll be at Patton Alley.  I’ll keep you posted.

PPS: Kyle and Ryan also said that they’ll be developing a Kickstarter soon.  I’ll be committing to it.  I hope you’ll join me.

Mar9

The Weekly Buzz – March 9, 2012

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The Weekly Buzz – March 9, 2012

Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooood morning!

I hope you rested well last night and are bright and chirpy.  But  not too chirpy.  I’ll cut you down if you are.  I didn’t have enough coffee this morning…

But I digress!  As the title of this post might suggest, I announced some pretty fun shows this morning.  In no particular order (actually, it is in order, but I like the phrase “in no particular order” and I’m allowed quirks.  It’s the reason you love me, right?):

TONIGHT (March 9) at the Outland Ballroom (8PM):

Drop Dead Effect

Subject to Loss

Super-String-Theory

TONIGHT (March 9) at the Drury Diversity Center (8:30PM):

THIS SHOW IS FREE.

Miracles of Modern Science

TOMORROW NIGHT (March 10) at Nathan P. Murphy’s:

Antennas Up

Heypenny

(I am totally going to be there and it’s going to be awesome and I don’t believe in punctuation or succinct sentences)

TOMORROW (March 10) at the O’Reilly Center:

Avett Brothers

NEXT WEEK (March 14) at the O’Reilly Center:

Kelly Clarkson

There’s yer lineup.  Use it wisely.

Also, did I tell you I went ziplining last week?

Nbd.

Mar6

Marching Bands of Manhattan – Death Cab For Cutie

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Marching Bands of Manhattan – Death Cab For Cutie

Sure, this song is definitely not about the month.  But, come on.  Give me a bit of blogger’s license.  There are no good songs about the month.  In fact, I couldn’t actually find one.  If you can, please talk to me.  I could use your sage words.

Image

How’s that, kiddies?  Listen to the song here.  If you haven’t already heard it, it’s quite good.

And I sincerely hope everyone listens to my radio show tomorrow.  It’s going to be wonderful (probably).  Listen to it here.

Oh, and go see Antennas Up and Heypenny this Saturday at Nathan P. Murphy’s.  I’ll be there.  You’d get to see me.  I feel like that’s a solid inducement.

Just think about it.

Mar5

MARCH (with apologies)

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MARCH (with apologies)

Oh, I’ve been lax with you, darlings. 

I blame last semester of senior year.

I also blame my new XBOX 360.

Also, aliens.

But I digress.  There is, in fact, a new song for the glorious month of March, as well as a new dance card.  But they won’t be up until probably tomorrow night.

Yes, I know how inconvenient and awful I am.  I also know that if you keep insulting me like that, I won’t invite you to see Antennas Up and Heypenny with me this Saturday at Nathan P. Murphy’s.  

Anyway.  This was so you know I’m still alive and have big plans for you all.  Keep posted!

 

Feb22

KDRU – Feb. 22 Show

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KDRU – Feb. 22 Show

Good evening.  I hope you’re all excited about life in general.  I know I am.

Thank you most sincerely to the people listening to my weekly radio show at Drury.  You are paragons of good taste (and/or we’re friends and you feel sorry for me…let’s go with the first one).  For those of you not listening, it’s cool.  Whatever.  No big deal.  I’m just really disappointed and am tearing up a bit.  You should rectify this problem by listening to the show next Wednesday from 11:30-1:30.  It streams here.

I’ll also be on The Weekly Buzz this Friday morning, letting everyone know about some awesome concerts coming their way.  Be sure to listen in.  It’s at 8:30, and I’m pretty sure my voice is an awesome thing to wake up to.  Or so I hear.

Anywho. Here are some of the songs that were played.  I’m not giving a comprehensive list.  I mean, where’s the fun in that?  If, however, you heard a song and want to know more about it, feel free to contact me.

KDRU - Feb. 22

Oh, and the new Fun. album came out yesterday.  I got my bundle in the mail today.  It included this shirt:

Fun. Some Nights shirt...yeah, those are the lyrics to the entire album scrawled in the background. Awesome.

And I am now working on the next installment of Paste Magazine’s Top 50 Albums of 2011.  Yeah, it’s taking awhile, but man there are a lot of albums.  Be patient, young grasshopper, and keep yer eyes peeled.

Feb16

The Weekly Buzz

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The Weekly Buzz

Good evening! I assume most of you are not in a car headed to Kirksville. All I can say is, good on you.

You’re clearly wiser than I.

Tomorrow morning at 8:30, I urge you all to tune in to KDRU’s “The Weekly Buzz.”. I won’t be there to give you the concerts for the weekend, but you’ll get that info from Jonathan Groves.

And you should listen because, come on, have you heard those guys? They’re entertaining. The show’s not long, and you’ll have a good time. Listen to it here.

But, if you’re going to be difficult, here’s the skinny (Is that right? Do people say that? Should it be the plumpy? You know, because there’s a lot of info? Someone needs to talk this out with me).

20120216-211817.jpg

Also, if that picture looks a tad wonky, it’s because I’m in that car headed to Kirksville. And I love you all enough to think about you.

You’re welcome. Catch ya on the flip side (What does that mean? Like, I’ll see you on the opposite of this particular moment in time? Is it really that deep a saying? Is it about shoes? Help!).

…whatever.

Feb13

Los Campesinos! – Los Angeles, CA: The Echoplex 2-11-12

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Los Campesinos! – Los Angeles, CA: The Echoplex 2-11-12

Band: Los Campesinos!

Venue: The Echoplex

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Tickets: $16

Date: 2-11-2012

Everyone who knows me or has read this blog knows how much I was looking forward to this concert. I mean, the planets had to align for me to even get there. But it happened. And I have stories.

First, like I told you all weeks ago, it’s always better to go to a concert with someone you like.

Ashley, one of my best friends, and myself at the Los Campesinos! concert.

Yeah. It was a good call to go with her. We navigated LA and got to the concert just as Parenthetical Girls were going on. First, I’d like to say that Parenthetical Girls were amazing. Words fail to describe how excited I am to start listening to them in earnest. Here’s a sample.

But I digress.

So, we get to the concert, and I see Robert at the merch table. My thoughts went something like this: “OH MY GAWD, THAT’S ROBERT!!!” I like to think I was a good dealer calmer when I went and asked him if he would sign my shirt.

I slapped it on the table, and Robert saw the Allyson’s Setlist scrawled across it. He recognized it. He recognized me. Excuse me while I shriek. We chitchatted, mostly because I wouldn’t let him go.

My shirt signed by many talented folks. There are 6 new signatures added...can you spot them?

Robert, Neil, Kim, Ellen, Tom and Jason all signed it. Isn’t it great?

And guess what? Neil, Ellen and Jason all recognized me too. Granted, this probably means I’m vaguely stalkerish with them on Twitter, but I choose to think they don’t mind it.

Gareth, unfortunately, was in the back. He wasn’t feeling great, but his performance didn’t show it. So. On to the goods.

The concert was fantastic. We were close to the front, so we saw all the action.

Gareth, Ellen and Kim from Los Campesinos! Also, some random kid's head.

It’s a little blurry, but I think that makes it charming. When listening to Los Campesinos!, I’m often struck by the excitement and depth I get from the songs. Their performances live do their music justice. Gareth engages with the audience through his gestures. Example:

“Though said with hand in pockets, I mean it hand on heart. You held a gun to his head, pressed your thumbs to her throat in these letters.” (“Letters From Me to Charlotte”)

Gareth actually acts it out. And it’s completely wonderful. Of course, Kim helps by holding her hand to Gareth’s head in the shape of a gun. She’s nice that way. Of course, Kim talks to the audience in a different way. She does it with her eyes and the way she’s singing. Gareth’s fairly stoic. Kim’s not. It makes for such a cool combination.

Tom makes the guitar sound like every guitar should wish it sounded, and Ellen is somewhere behind Tom and Kim, playing bass and looking like the sort of person I always hoped I’d grow up to be. Seriously, I cannot stress how cool that lady is.

Robert Campesinos!

We were right in front of Robert, and that was a wonderful place to be. He was so involved and man, he was playing all sorts of instruments. Seriously, I think he was constantly switching. It was impressive.

I’m giving you snippets, but what I really want to say about that concert is this: I was in a crowd of a few hundred people with sweat pouring down my face and back, I was standing for a few hours, I kept getting pushed around by the other people in the crowd, and I didn’t care. This concert was the most energetic and all-consuming I’d ever been to. After every song, Gareth would say “Thanks a lot” in a sweetly self-deprecating kind of way (which is how a lot of the lyrics he writes comes across). You’d swear he was shy if you didn’t see him on stage and watch him settle in. At one point, he came into the audience and we ate it up.

One person tried to banter with him, but Gareth shut him down by saying it was his turn with the mic. People were crowd surfing, and Gareth said that was the longest anyone had ever stayed up at one of their concerts.

Everyone was crazed and in the moment. It was what I imagine winning at life feels like.

Neil Campesinos!, myself and Robert Campesinos!

Oh, and they’re all as nice as they look and sound. When I got Kim to sign my shirt, I called her by name. She introduced herself before realizing that I had called her by name. I told her I was a little creepy, and she responded:

“It’s not creepy for you. There was this guy the other night and I said, ‘I’m Kim.’ He said, ‘I know.’ Why would you say that? Why wouldn’t you just stay quiet?”

I held Neil’s beer for him while he signed my shirt, and he called me “Tweety Allyson.” Not that I Tweet them a lot, or anything…

They were nice, charming and well practiced in dealing with fans of my ilk. I hope I wasn’t too off putting for them.

In conclusion, they were wonderful and beautiful and I plan on seeing them whenever I get the chance. And meeting Gareth is on my list of things to do. You all should probably send your pity his way.

One more thing before I give you the score. I actually scribbled down the songs as they were being played, giving me an accurate setlist for the concert. Here it is. Enjoy.

“By Your Hand”

“Romance Is Boring”

“Death To Los Campesinos!”

“Life Is A Long Time”

“Letters From Me To Charlotte”

“Songs About Your Girlfriend”

“There Are Listed Buildings”

“We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed”

“Straight In At 101″

“To Tundra”

“You! Me! Dancing!”

“The Sea Is A Good Place To Think Of The Future”

“Hello Sadness”

“Baby I Got The Death Rattle”

Encore:

“Miserabilia”

“Sweet Dreams, Sweet Cheeks”

And now it is officially time for the grade:

Concert: A+

Venue: A+

Drink Prices: A+

Audience: A*

Overall: A+

*The only reason the audience doesn’t get a perfect score is because of the random short stocky guy standing next to me. I’ve never been driven to elbow someone before, but homeboy was asking for it. He kept shoving me in an attempt to get in front of me. DON’T NOBODY COME BETWEEN ME AND THE BAND. Let that be a lesson to everyone who goes to a concert I’m at. Though I be but little, I AM FIERCE.