Updated show list

Monday morning I was glad to find out Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin is coming to the Netherlands in june. Then I got home and found out Boris Yeltsin died. Weird...

Anyways, I was in the lab where participants were performing my first experiment (exciting times) and I couldn't really focus on other work there. So I spent some time updating my showlist. Lots of cool artists in the coming months!

Here are some video's from the artists I'm planning to see in the near future.

Video: Lonely, Dear - I am John


Video: Malcolm Middleton - A Brighter Beat


Video: Andrew Bird - Plasticities (live on Letterman)


Video: Architecture in Helsinki - The Cemetary


Video: Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Pangea


Video: Modest Mouse - Dashboard


Video: Ted Leo & The Pharmacists - Bomb.Repeat.Bomb


Video: The Hold Steady - Your Little Rathood Friend


Video: Bright Eyes - At The Bottom Of Everything

Finally Friday Video's Week 16 [2007]

Video: Black Flag - TV Party

Anticipated Records Do Not Dissapoint...Or Do They?

Oh seven is a year of highly anticipated records. Some of the best releases of 2005 have their follow up lined up this year. The New Pornographers will release their new one in august, Be Your Own Pet has started working on a new album and some albums have already been released. Do these albums live up to their high expectations? Here are my thought on some of them.

The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

The internet buzz surrounding this album was almost scary. However, the band made a great album, a little less daunting than on Funeral, but much better than what I expected.

Video: The Arcade Fire - Keep The Car Running (Live)

Bright Eyes - Cassadega

Most mature Bright Eyes record to date and that's not a bad thing. There's still emotional intensity but packed in a somewhat different form and with a thicker production. Call it Americana or country or folk or something in between...I like this...a lot!

Video: Bright Eyes - Four Winds

The National - Boxer

An album less rocking than their previous effort (Alligator). However, the songs on this album suits the singer's distinct voice perfectly. Special stuff!

The Arcade Fire, Bright Eyes and The National had to fight against almost unrealistic expectations. With that in mind, I have nothing but the utmost respect voor these artist for putting out yet another great album. If you haven't fallen in love with these artists yet, this is the time to jump on the wagon!

Mp3:
The National - Fake Empire

Oh yeah, on a more negative note...the new Fountains of Wayne record....not so good.

Show Review: Camera Obscura @ De Balie, April 15th

Last night's show was planned at Paradiso, but for logistical purposes was moved to the nearby "De Balie". Definitely not a bad decision, because this venue -normally used as a theatre- perfectly suited the intimacy of Camera Obscura's show.

I really didn't have any expectations from the show, but I was pretty impressed. I can't really put my finger on what it is, but there's something about this band. Sure...one could argue that nothing happens on stage. The band just stands there performing some songs. The only member who shows some energy is the multinstrumentalist who played percussion, trumpet and at times guitar. I cant disagree with that, however, I argue that this stage presence complements the bands sound and style perfectly. Singer Tracyanne Campbell is the absolute star of the band. With a voice to die for she grabs your attention, almost like putting a spell on you. She made the slower songs sound so vulnerable and delicate that there was almost complete silence in the audience. A sight not often seen or heard at a show and it was beautiful. The faster songs sounded tight and more powerful than on record. Camera Obscura is definitely a band whose live show adds elements to their records. In fact, while travelling to work this morning, I played the albums Let's Get Out Of This Country and Underachievers, Please Try Harder and it's like I appreciate the band more...I get songs I didn't use to "get". It's definitely a plus to have these positive associations from the live experience!

Conclusion: definitely a great show. Intimate, fun and dreamy. As an encore the band played a decent cover of Abba's Super Trooper. Not bad. Not bad at all.

The band just released their fourth single (Tears For Affairs) of the album. Below you'll find all four video's from the Let's Get Out Of This Country album. Enjoy!

Video: Camera Obscura - Tears For Affairs


Video: Camera Obscura - Let's Get Out Of This Country


Video: Camera Obscura - If Looks Could Kill


Video: Camera Obscura - Hey Loyd, I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken

Finally Friday Video's: week 14 [2007]

Yay! The Finally Friday Video series is back...

Stylus magazine published their top 50 one hit wonders this week. Here are two that made the cut...

Video: The Flying Lizards - Money

Video: Gary Numan - Cars

Show Review: I'm From Barcelona @ Melkweg

Zero percent pretentiousness, one hundred percent fun. That basically sums up an I'm from Barcelona show. Yesterday was no exception, though I have to admit that I liked last year's Utrecht show a little more. For instance, their were less Swedes (but I still counted 18) on stage than at the previous show and the Amsterdam audience was a little less excited (but still way more excited that normal at a sunday show).

The band's enthusiasm again was very contagious and you rarely see this amount of equality between a band and the audience. Although their setlist showed similarities with their previous show in the Netherlands, they played some other songs as well. At first I wasn't really (or really wasn't) into their Bryan Adams cover of Can't Stop This Thing We Started, but they managed to give this song a typical I'm from Barcelona sound. Singer Emanuel started the intro of Purple Rain, but unfortunately, they didn't pursue that one...

Adventure Kid, who made a techno 8bit version of their hit song We're from Barcelona delivered the after party, with bandmembers partying and dancing along with the audience...good times!

Download Adventure Kid's version of We're From Barcelona by clicking here!

Excusez moi!

I'm sorry for hardly putting up new blogs. File Transfer Complete has been falling victim to my new job/life, which by the way is working out quite fine! Though I could finish this blog with one final post, I have a feeling there's a future for this blog. I still have a need to inform you about my latest discoveries and with the purchase of my 80 gig I-pod (right now it contains over 2500 songs, probably one tenth of the final number :]) I at least have more time to listen to great new and not so new music.

This week I'm busy designing my first study, but I'm planning a reanimation of FTc in the coming weeks. For now I'll keep the shows section up to date.

Thanx for your patience...it's appreciated!

The National announce tracklist, release date

Alligator by the National was one of my favorite albums of 2005. The new album that is titled Boxer will be released May 22nd. Can't wait. You can find the tracklist and more info in this article by Billboard. They'll also be touring Europe this fall!

Here are some video's from Alligator.

Video: The National - Abel

Video: The National - Daughters of the Soho Riots

Finally Friday Video's Week 8 [2007]

Some friends of mine are throwing a German themed party tomorrow and I was asked if I knew some good German songs. This is one of the songs I recommended. I sure hope that between all the really bad Schlager songs they will play this one!

Video: Sportfreunde Stiller (ft. Roque Santa Cruz) - Ich Roque

Finally Friday Video Week 7 [2007]

Video: The Walkmen - The Rat

Finally Friday Video Week 6 [2007]

I was surprised to find a full page article on the Hold Steady in Dutch free newspaper Metro this morning. Like a punch in the face, it reminded me of the sold out show I'm going to miss tomorrow. Therefore, this week's video is to torture myself even more...

Video: The Hold Steady - Stuck Between Stations (Live on Letterman)

Some new video's

I'm still having trouble finding the time to work on my blog. I'm working on it though!Here are some new video's by FTC approved bands...

Video: Annuals - Brother


Video: Lonely, Dear - I am John


Video: Love is All - Ageing has never been my friend

Video: Of Montreal - Heimdalsgate Like A Promethean Curse

Finally Friday Video Week 5 [2007]

Look what I found on my brother's I-pod!

Video: Danzig - Mother

Show Review: The Fratellis @ Melkweg

I'm under some bad spell considering shows lately. I wanted to go to the Hold Steady show feb. 10th, but it is already sold out. The same goes for The Fratellis show of last monday. My big brother thaNniSh did have tickets and was kind enough to write a short review [thanx!].

Costello Music was one of last years most enjoyable albums. Nearly six months after the release of their debut album, The Fratellis finally toured the Netherlands. Although it was in the Old Hall in the Melkweg and on a monday night, it was worth the wait! In comparision to Razorlight, this was definitely a band that seems to enjoy themselves on stage.

The first couple of songs were played very fast, which worked out well for some songs (Everybody Knows You Cried LastNight), but not for Flathead. The pa-da-da sing along felt victim to the speed - a shame! It was positive however to see the band expand their album tracks live. The crowd's reaction however was a bit tame; between songs it was almost completely silent.

Absolute highlight of the show was Chelsea Dagger. It was like everyone was waiting for this moment: the crowd went erserk..goosebumps! Surprisingly enough this was not the last song. It was followed up by Ole Black 'N' Blue Eyes after which an encore of three songs (including a semi-acoustic version of For the Girl) concluded the show.

3voor12 has put the Fratellis show in Haarlem of last week online here.

Top 25 Punk Albums (According to IGN)

Remember Kerrang's really really bad list of the top 50 punk albums ever? IGN made one too and it's actually quite decent, I would say. The omission of Rancid's ...and out come the wolves is somewhat unforgivable, but at least it gets an honourable mention...

IGN's top 25 punk albums:

25. Social Distortion - Social Distortion (1990)
24. NOFX - Punk in Drublic (1994)
23. Green Day - Dookie (1994)
22. The Misfits - Walk Among Us (1982)
21. The Descendents - Milo Goes to College (1982)
20. Plasmatics - Beyond the Valley of 1984 (1981)
19. Husker Du - New Day Rising (1985)
18. Generation X - Generation X (1979)
17. Big Black - Songs About F*cking (1987)
16. Minutemen - Double Nickels on the Dime (1984)
15. Bad Religion - Suffer (1988)
14. Richard Hell & The Voivoids - Blank Generation (1977)
13. Operation Ivy - Energy (1990)
12. Minor Threat - Out of Step (1984)
11. MC5 - Kick Out the Jams (1969)
10. X - Los Angeles (1980)
9. Stiff Little Fingers - Inflammable Material (1979)
8. Black Flag - Damaged (1981)
7. New York Dolls - New York Dolls (1973)
6. Bad Brains - Bad Brains (1982)
5. The Stooges - Fun House (1970)
4. The Sex Pistols - Nevermind the Bollocks (1977)
3. Dead Kennedys - Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables (1980)
2. The Clash - The Clash (1977)
1. The Ramones - The Ramones (1976)

The Arcade Fire

So...my Ipod got lost in the mail and a new one should be on its way. To make my travels a little bit more pleasant this week, my brother was kind enough to lent me his (Thanx!). In the train this morning I was scrolling through his albums and I found one I hadn't played in a while: Funeral by The Arcade Fire. Their new album (Neon Bible) will come out soon (March 5th) and is probably the most anticipated album of 2007 in "indieworld", which is not surprising considering the succes of Funeral. Anyways, here are some video's from the previous album. Check out the band's Myspace to hear some new ones.

Video: The Arcade Fire - Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)

Video: The Arcade Fire - Laika

Video: The Arcade Fire - Rebellion (Lies)

Finally Friday Video's week IV [2007]

Video: Aerosmith - Love in an Elevator

Thank you UPS...

Maybe I should check in with blogaholics anonymous, because I'm having blog withdrawal symptoms. I still have to find a way to combime my new job with this blog. UPS misplacing my brand new Ipod doesn't really help either, which means I can only listen to music on my laptop for the time being(crappy sound). I hope next week will be better blogwise.

For now I'd like to point your direction to the elaborate media section on the website of Barsuk Records. With a roster featuring Rocky Votolato, Nada Surf, Death Cab for Cutie, Mates of State and the Long Winters among others, Barsuk is one of the finest indielabels. Here are some Barsuk video's...

Video: Mates of State - Fraud in the 80's

Video: Nada Surf - Blankest Year

Video: Smoosh - Find a Way (these girls are still in their early teens, which makes this song pretty awesome)

Video: The Long Winters - Fire Island, AK

Sinners Stick Together!

Boston based The Sterns describe their own sound as "Jangly Guitar Pop Circa 1986 with a Punk Rock Aesthetic Circa 1979". They certainly prove this on their album Sinners Stick Together, which will be released on March 13th. The album is filled with well crafted indie/powerpopsongs, not unlike early Elvis Costello (check out 'Papa, You're in your Prime') or a more rockin' version of Belle and Sebastian. There are enough other references of course, but this band has created a really fun album that is hard not to like!

The Sterns on MySpace

Mp3's:
The Sterns - Supreme Girl
The Sterns - Papa, you're in your Prime

Finally Friday Video's Week 3 [2007]

Let's get one thing straight: I'm not a Rod Stewart fan...but he has one song that I really really like. Okay, as you'll will notice, the video to 'Young Turks' is rather lame, but it are these words (that wouldn't be misplaced in any punkband) that make me love this song:

Young hearts be free tonight
time is on your side
Dont let them put you down
dont let em push you around
Dont let em ever change your point of view

Video: Rod Stewart - Young Turks

Losing time...gaining adventure!

When I started this blog, I'd admit at not having a life...Does that mean that when I hardly have time to post that I have a life? I'm not sure, but I am quite sure that my life is pretty hectic at the moment. I've started my job today and this weekend I've moved to my temporary home in the oldest city of the Netherlands Nijmegen. Because of this I probably won't post as regularly as I used to. I do however have the intention to keep this blog running, so don't worry..and maybe this will result in quality over quantity?

Speaking of quality...here's a collection of video of one of the best bands in the world!

Video: The Weakerthans - Our Retired Explorer


Video: The Weakerthans - Watermark


Video: The Weakerthans - The Reasons


Video: The Weakerthans - Psalm For The Elks Lodge Last Call

Watch Kid Dynamite's final show!

Kid Dynamite has to be one of the greatest melodic hardcorebands of all time. In 2005, they played a reunion show to help save CBGB's. In the end, CBGB's could not be saved, but here's the video...

Finally Friday Video's Week 2 [2007]

Show 'em how it's done Bruce!

Sopranos fans, watch out for the guitar player...looks familiar huh?

Video: Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run

Immaculate Machine

The New Pornographers is often refered to as an indiepop supergroup. This is not really surprising if you consider the other bands the members of NP play in. Take for instance the solo succes of A.C Newman and Neko Case and the critical acclaim drummer Dan Bejar gets with Destroyer. I've gotten to know (and grown to love) all these acts through NP.

Kathryn Calder (keyboard player in NP) plays in Immaculate Machine, but I did not know this when I first heard this band. What I did know is that Calder impressed me with her vocal talent at the NP's show last year. Neko Case was absent but she took her place in a wonderful way. Anyways, the first song I heard of Immaculate Machine was Phone Number and it's a winner. Thus, when I looked into this band and found out that Calder was in this band, I was pleasantly surprised.

Immaculate Machine is an indierock trio with somewhat unorthodox instrumentation. There is no bass player for instance and songwriting and vocal duties are rotated. The vocals are definitely a strength of this band and odds are that you'll like this if you dig the NP. Immaculate Machine however definitely have a sound of their own. They expect to finish recording their new record this month. Can't wait! For now, here are some older songs...

Video: Immaculate Machine - Broken Ship


Website | MySpace | Buy@Insound

Mp3's:
Immaculate Machine - Broken Ship
Immaculate Machine - Phone No.

New Pipettes video!

Have you seen the new Pipettes video yet? It's pretty sweet! To spice this post a bit up, I've also put up non album track 'Guess who ran away with the Milkman'. Enjoy!

Video: The Pipettes - Judy


Website | MySpace | Buy@Insound

Mp3:
The Pipettes - Guess who ran away with the Milkman

The Broken Family Band

One album I overlooked in a long list of overlooked albums in 2006 is Balls by The Broken Family Band. Imagine a countryband that likes to rock or a rockband that likes country. I'm not talking about cowpunk, though the guitars sound quite punky at times... For now, let's call it indierock with a country feel to it.

The first song (and single) on the album is 'You're like a Woman'. It's a fun song (if you're into the Fratellis, you'll like this!), which will give you an indication what this band is about. Don't let it fool you however, most songs on the album are more laid back.

Video: The Broken Family Band - You're like a Woman


One of the highlights of these laidback songs is the (call it a parody of country duets if you will) break up duet 'Alone in the Make-out Room', with lyrics like:
I wanna watch you drown in a lake or get stabbed by a bull or bit by a snake and there's not a single doctor who will come and help you
versus
I want you to move to Australia, with me a success and you facing failure and all the friends you had ignore your calls

Don't worry though...in the end everything works out...

Another FTC favorite on the album is the Leonard Cohen cover 'Diamonds in the Mine'. They've made an instant singalongable yet rocking version of this song. In case you're not familiar with the original, I've put it up as well.

Website | MySpace | Buy

The Broken Family Band - I'm Thirsty
The Broken Family Band - Diamonds in the Mine (Leonard Cohen cover)
Leonard Cohen - Diamonds in the Mine

The Eames Era

It's a small step from recently discussed Zolof the Rock and Roll Destroyer to The Eames Era. We're talking cute as hell sugarsweet indiepop here. Their new album Heroes and Sheroes is scheduled to be released somewhere in the next couple of months and is highly anticipated at FTC headquarters. Watch the video to ''A Scandal in Bohemia' and you will know why. It's been re-recorded (and renamed; it's now called 'Watson on your Side') for the new album and I'm already pretty sure this new version will end up on my 2007 yearlist of best songs. You can compare it for yourself...I've put up the the new version below as well as a couple of songs from their 2005 album Double Dutch. You can listen to more new songs on their MySpace page, but be warned..you might fall in love with this band!

Video: The Eames Era - A Scandal in Bohemia

MySpace | Buy@Amazon

Mp3's:
The Eames Era - Watson on your Side
The Eames Era - Go To Sleep (from Double Dutch)
The Eames Era - Listen For The Sun (from Double Dutch)

New Panda Bear Song

The other day I've got an email from a promotor filled with info about the new Panda Bear album (Person Pitch), which is scheduled to be released march 22th. While some might see this as a form of unwanted spam, to me it almost made me feel like a true blogger. The best part however is that the song that accompanied the email (Comfy in Nautica) is actually very interesting. It's a beautiful a-capella song (think Beach Boys harmonies) filled with some sample and noise in the background.

For those of you unfamiliar with Panda Bear, it's the solo project of Animal Collective member Noah Lennox. According to the press release, Person Pitch "is suffused with the kind of feel good modern toe-tapping pop that seems harder and harder to find these days". While 'Comfy in Nautica' hardly fits this description, it does make me look forward to the new album.

Website | Buy@Insound

Mp3:
Panda Bear - Comfy in Nautica

Finally Friday Video Week 1 [2007]

Boy...do I love YouTube! While searching for Neko Case video's, I came across a -to me unknown- video of one of my favorite bands: the New Pornographers. 'Your Daddy Don't know' was recorded for the soundtrack of 2002 mockumentary film FUBAR. It's an awesome cover of Canada hardrock outfit Toronto. Now, I believe the best covers are of songs that you've almost forgotten but that sound awfully familiar when first heard. In this case, I wonder if I've even known the original at all, but indeed it sounds really familiar, almost like it reminds me of another song. Then suddenly it hit me...this really really really sounds like Jessie's Girl by Rick Springfield. YouTube wouldn't be YouTube if it didn't also contained the Toronto original and the Rick Springfield classic, which I present to you for the first installment of the Finally Friday Video series of 2007.

The Cover: The New Pornographers - Your Daddy Don't Know

The Original: Toronto - Your Daddy Don't Know

The Similarity: Rick Springfield - Jessie's Girl

Baby Teeth

A band only needs one good song to draw my interest. Enter 'the Simp' by Chicago based Baby Teeth. It's an indie rock gem seemily influenced by classic rock. It was this song that made me look into this band. I've come across an advanced copy of their new album (also titled the Simp, which will be released through Lujo Records early this year) and I am somewhat surprised by it. The common denominator here is indie rock but there are obvious influences of classic rock but also 60'/70's pop. Some songs are even close to disco. I'm still not sure if I like this album, but at this moment it's safe to say I'm intrigued by it. However...this record probably will stay a hit or miss record to me. Some songs are really enjoyable (sometimes even really really good!) and some songs I won't regret skipping. Anyways, I've posted their best song (the Simp) and the song most likely to appear on your radio (Swim Team). Enjoy!

Website | MySpace

Mp3's:
Baby Teeth - The Simp
Baby Teeth - Swim Team
Baby Teeth - Heather via JC (from 2006 EP For the Heathers; watch video here)

Cover EP Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer and Reel Big Fish

Interesting synopsis: one of the cutest powerpop bands teams up with one of the biggest skapunk bands to play their favorite 80's songs. Okay...not really original, but when Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer is involved...I'm game!

"What happens when two of America’s best pop-rock bands collaborate on their love of 1980’s pop-rock? Answer: Duet All Night Long. This six- song split release by Reel Big Fish and Zolof The Rock & Roll Destroyer is comprised entirely of the two bands’ favorite 80’s gems. Each band croons three pop gems originally by Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson, Madonna, The Human League, The Smiths, Fishbone, and more. The best part is that Zolof's Rachel Minton and Reel Big Fish's Aaron Barrett sing scorching duets on every track!"

The cd will be released february 20th on Reignition. For now you can listen to the entire album here. I'm liking the three Zolof ones!

Welcome to the 'Oh Seven'!

Welcome to the year Two Thousand and Seven! Sounds pretty futuristic right? So much is going to change in my life this year that I'm taking it day-to-day. However, I can already tell you that I'm looking forward to the return of two heroes from my youth:
- the sixth Rocky movie: Rocky Balboa
- the release of Chinese Democracy by Guns n' Roses (this could be the year...)

Anyways...here are some interesting links to start the year with:

* If you're into mashups or looking for some cool stuff for a party, Bootie has made a free downloadable sampler with the best mashups of 2006. My favorite is 'the Money Song' by team9 (download here), which is a mashup of Hard-Fi vs. Red Hot Chili Peppers vs. Flying Lizards vs. Abba vs. Jay-Z. You can find the "Best of Bootie 2006 CD" here.

* Largehearted Boy (one of my favorite blogs) has an extremely large list of best of 2006 yearlists (including my blog!). Check it out here.