Sounds Good: Fourth of July@Taproom, Calexico & Bahamas@Granada

So, if you haven’t heard, Morrissey has postponed his show at Liberty Hall that was originally scheduled for this weekend.

Apparently, he has bleeding ulcers, which sounds like a whole lot of not fun.

What else?  My thoughts on Hearne’s report that Kanrocksas has tagged Fun. and MGMT for this summer’s fest?  I thought you’d never ask.  Not a big Fun. fan, not only because it’s a pain in the ass to type their name, but also because their music is ridiculously crafted to a beautiful crystalline shine.  I imagine their producer using focus groups when he was putting the whole thing together.  “Dance music is hot right now, people!”  Too contrived, too clean, too poppy for me.  

Now MGMT on the other hand, and for some reason that’s not completely apparent, kicks ass.  Yeah, they’re poppy as hell at times too.  But when they do it it sounds more natural and organic – not just bootstrapping on whatever’s hot at the moment.  I mean, corporate radio has crammed MGMT down our throats at times almost like they did this last year with Fun.  But Fun. feels more like a one hit wonder I guess.

Oh, and we’re back in the swing of things with live shows, get your ass out to Lawrence…

Friday, February 1st

Fourth of July at the Eighth Street Taproom in Lawrence

So, yeah, I’ve been telling you to go see this local gem of a band for what, like two and half years now?  Since I first started pimping Fourth of July, though, they haven’t released a new album.  That’s all about to change.  Not the me pimping them part, the them releasing an album part.

When?  Soon, very soon, I’m told.  So keep an eye on their new KC-based label, High Dive Records, which also reps the ACBs, Ghosty, and the Shy Boys.

Also playing is Hospital Ships, one of the best indie bands in Lawrence going today.

Saturday, February 2nd

Calexico and Bahamas at the Granada in Lawrence

Calexico is the pre-eminent southwestern indie rock band going these days.  They just released a new album called Algiers, and I must tell you it’s pretty damn good, and it actually moves a little bit away from the band’s Tejano sound.  Not too far away, mind you, just a touch.

But I’m actually more excited to see opener Bahamas – aka Afie Jurvanen.  I caught him a few months ago at the Bottleneck, and since then have been somewhat obsessed with his latest album, Bar Chords.  The record opens with Lost in the Light, a gentle rock and sway of an acoustic guitar before Jurvanen’s honest voice fills the cracks in.