New release of the week: Most Messed Up by Old 97’s.
This is the first release from this Texas alt-country band since 2011, and so far the reviews have been pretty decent – even garnering a “must-listen” from Rolling Stone.
Pssst. Even though the album doesn’t drop until April 29th, you can stream the whole thing free here until the 28th.
Do it.
Friday, April 25th
Local Natives at the Granada in Lawrence
This Cali band easily fits into the floaty, dreamy, niche occupied by acts such as Father John Misty, Youth Lagoon, and Grizzly Bear. Indeed, they scored a gig opening for Edward Sharpe a year or two ago, but have moved on to way bigger and better things. For example they just finished an opening slot for Kings of Leon over the past couple months. And my inside sources are telling me that this show is nearly sold out, so act now if you want in.
Saturday, April 26th
Arcade Fire at Starlight Theater in KC
After unleashing their breakthrough mega-hit, The Suburbs, a couple years ago and touring relentlessly on it, these Canadian indie rockers took some time to go down to the Caribbean to record their follow up. The result was 2013’s Reflektor, a solid, dance-y album that received high critical praise, but hasn’t invaded the music world’s consciousness in nearly the same way the prior record did. Still, this is one of the biggest rock acts going today, and they put on a live show that lives up to that hype.
Farmer’s Ball Finals at the Bottleneck in Lawrence
This is the 20th year of KU’s student-run radio battle of the bands.
Preliminary rounds were conducted last weekend and the weak were cast aside, so this night features the four best and brightest: OILS, Paper Buffalo, Psychic Heat, and Westerners.
Click here to listen before the show.
Am I the only one that doesn’t “get” Arcade Fire?
Far from it, PB. I don’t really get a lot of what they do, but then again I also really like a fair amount of it. Sometimes they just get a little too artsy, which comes across as pretentious. I will say, though, that the show they put on at Starlight 2 years ago was stellar.
Yeah, they have put out some songs that I’ve liked and I heard that show was really good, but I guess I just don’t like them enough to go out there. And you’re right, pretentious, indulgent…that’s what I take away from much of their stuff as well.