Hey gang, it's Thursday, and you know what that means, don't you? No, no, no, Thursdays and Covers is a different blog? What we're going to do on Thursdays, starting today, is highlight something that pertains to the Midwest. It could be a CD release party by an up-and-coming local act, an interview with someone in the scene, a feature on our favorite club or record store. You know, something local/regional so we don't lose touch with our roots.
Today, I'm going to cheat a little bit because you've probably already heard what I'm about to write, but because it's pretty exciting I'd hate to not write about it even if I am a little late.
A few days ago, you may have noticed Kansas City act Ssion getting some love on Pitchfork and Stereogum. Granted, the love was mostly for Glass Candy's remix of the song "Clowns," but it was still love nonetheless. As Pitchfork rightly noted, the Glass Candy version would have fit perfectly on the seductive After Dark compilation. The re-mix will officially see the light of day on a 12" sometime next month, while the original (which you can stream at Ssion's MySpace page) can be found on the upcoming full length, Fool's Gold, available 2/12 on Sleazetone.
Now, before I go and try to sleep this hangover off, I just have to ask if anyone has any good Ssion stories to share. I've never seen them live, but I hear that they're, uh, interesting.
[mp3]Ssion - "Clowns" (Glass Candy remix) (via Stereogum)
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Check This Shit Out!
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Album Review:
Glass Candy - B/E/A/T/B/O/X
(Italians Do It Better, 2007)
B/E/A/T/B/O/X isn't what you would call a "real" album. It's a tour-only CD. Still, give this a listen and you'll wonder what the band is concocting for their next LP. You'll also wonder why the critics haven't looked too kindly on Glass Candy's previous outings. Maybe that's because they've had such high hopes for them. Apparently, when the Italians Do It Better compilation was released earlier this year to moderate acclaim, some said Glass Candy were outdone by their labelmates (upstaged, if you like). Maybe I don't know enough about New Wave/Italo dance to speak intelligently on this matter, or maybe I was so wowed by Ida No's austere live presence, but I have to disagree. Take a whirl with "Digital Versicolor," "Beautific," or "Rollin' Down the Hill," and get ready to dance like it's New Year's 2007. Wait...
Real album or no, B/E/A/T/B/O/X proves Glass Candy has staying power. And, dare I say, "soul power"?
Monday, October 29, 2007
Live Pics: Architecture in Helsinki + Some Hot Openers
-NP
The Bottleneck - Lawrence, KS - 10/25/07
Opening acts rarely get more than a side note in one of my reviews, as typically you can find me downing a half-bottle of Captain carside during the majority of the set. As Girlfriend noted in her recent review, however, Architecture in Helsinki selected the perfect complements to their jangly pop paroxysms. You won't need to be blitzed on booze to groove to Glass Candy and Panther (not to be confused with emo-rockers Panthers, vocalist/jirrating mo-fo Charlie Salas-Humara implored us post-show. "Sorry," he confessed afterwards, "I'm really stoned." It's cool, guy. You earned it.)
Panther:+334.jpg)
Writhing On-Stage:+362.jpg)
Posing for Girlfriend After the Show:
Glass Candy's Ida No Climbs On Some Lucky Guy's Back:+330.jpg)
Glass Candy Gets Groovy:+410.jpg)
Ida No Says "Yes" to Joining the Crowd:+446.jpg)
Architecture's Kellie Sutherland Sings "Wishbone":
Architecture Rockin' the Encore:
The Crowd Croons Along to "The Cemetery" (Note the Choir Boy-Esque Fellow):
Friday, October 26, 2007
Live Review: Architecture in Helsinki w/ Glass Candy, Panther
The Bottleneck - Lawrence, KS - 10/25/07
If you're still looking for that perfect way to take off those stubborn extra pounds then I have the workout for you! Glass Candy, another dynamic duo, upped the bar for the evening's festivities. If you have feet or wheels, for those in wheelchairs, and are ready to shake your buns then you must see Glass Candy. Their show was the sensational blend of a classic jazzercise routine and rocking beats. Ida No and Johnny Jewel created their "freestyle" sound using only a synthesizer and a pair of bare feet. If you are what you eat then Glass Candy is a crystalline display of sleek, clean, sweet and tangy melodies.
Kellie Sutherland: (to Roady Man) Hey we can't have crazy people jumping up on stage. That was like having a can of mixed nuts with no pecans in it--bad.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Featured Concert of the Week
Architecture In Helsinki w/ Glass Candy
Architecture in Helsinki made a splash with 2005's In Case We Die, an album that is best described as pop music for the indie kids that suffer from a severe case of Attention Deficit Disorder. The band's latest album, Places Like This, released last month, sees the band taking a more focused direction, but I can only assume that anything is possible when this band takes the stage.
However, let me be the first to warn you of a possible upstaging that may occur. Let me be clear that I've never seen Architecture in Helsinki live, so I have no idea what they will bring to the table. I have seen Glass Candy twice though, and I know for a fact that they will be bringing their A game. Whether they're playing fuzzed out disco (check out "Beatific", which you can stream/download from their MySpace page) or aping club favorites of yore (think Blondie's "Rapture" minus the rapping, or Indeep's "Last Night a DJ Saved My Life"), Glass Candy will surly have the the Bottleneck's floor bouncing. Though the weather will be cool outside, I highly recommend dressing light 'cause Glass Candy's gonna make you sweat. You've been warned.
Download:
Glass Candy - "Rolling Down the Hills (Spring Demo)
(From the After Dark compilation)
Architecture in Helsinki - "The Cemetery"
(From the In Case We Die LP)
Check Out:
Our Review of Places Like This
Want to know who else is coming to the Midwest? Click here.