A Good Winter: Bon Iver @ The Troc 12/15/08

When I first heard For Emma, Forever Ago, the debut album from Bon Iver, the nom de plume of Justin Vernon, I had one of those moments that say, "You're going to love this CD for a long, long time." It happened when I first heard The Acorn, TV on the Radio, and a few others... but getting the chance to see Bon Iver play to a sold-out crowd at the Trocadero in Philly on December 15th was a dream come true. (It also happened to be the 21st birthday of my 'plus one').

Although we missed the opening act, The Tallest Man on Earth, and although we had to watch only the feet of Vernon and his accomplices for the majority of the concert, I was blown away. Playing most of the tracks from For Emma, Forever Ago as well as some upcoming releases from Blood Bank, a four-song EP scheduled to be released on January 20th, Vernon and his band took melodies that strike a chord even played through tinny computer speakers and made them absolutely expand and fill the space that is the Troc.



I think my favorites of the night were "Skinny Love", the most well-known hit from the album, as well as "Wolves (Act I and II)", in which Vernon personally requested that each person in the audience participate, singing, "What might have been lost..." over a crescendo of guitar, bass, and drums. Although my experience of the song was ruined by five particularly rowdy adults standing at the bar having a conversation at full volume, I tried my best to block them out. Another outstanding addition to the night was Vernon's cover of "Your Love" by The Outfield. I found a really really high-quality video of the cover on YouTube, and that's linked at the bottom of this post.


Bon Iver concluded his set with an encore, "Flume", the first song from his highly-acclaimed album. Lucky for you guys, my 'plus one' and I had finally found seats at this point, so I captured this one on film. Excuse the pole in the center of the picture... we were in the balcony.
(video doesn't seem to be uploading, check back soon.)

All in all, I was impressed. Bon Iver exceeded expectations-- nine songs written by a loner in a cabin in Wisconsin translated very well to a sold-out crowd in Philadelphia... and I can't wait to see what happens next. Bon Iver, a name taken from the French "bon hiver", or good winter, has definitely fulfilled their promise of a good season so far.

-- Sinéad

For reviews of For Emma, Forever Ago, click here.
For a video of "Blood Bank", one of Bon Iver's newest songs, click here.
And for a FANTASTIC cover of "Your Love", click here.

Weekend Pix

Some finals relief...

Thursday
Army of Me @ World Cafe Life

Friday
Andrew Lipke @ Tin Angel
Neil Young / Wilco @ Specturm

Saturday
Matt Duke @ North Star
Beach House @ Haverford College

Sunday
Lady Ga Ga @ Shampoo

WXVU Top 10 12/11/08

10. Annuals / Such Fun
9. Rivers Cuomo / Alone II
8. Manchester Orchestra / Let My Pride by What's Left Behind
7. Bloc Party / Intimacy
6. Snow Patrol / A Hundred Million Suns
5. The Decemberists / Always the Bridesmaid
4. Ryan Adams & The Cardinals / Cardinology
3. TV on the Radio / Dear Science
2. DCFC / Something About Airplanes
1. Killers / Day & Age

Sebastien Granger 11/29 @ Garfield Artworks

Stolen from mikey being mikey from 11/30:

Tonight I had the pleasure of seeing one of my all time favorite musicians perform some of his solo work at a rad little place in the Bloomfield area of Pittsburgh. The venue was great, anyone who's been to Garfield knows that it's quite an intimate place, about fifteen or twenty feet wide tops and then a football field or two deep. I realized quite how intimate it was when I saw Sebastien chilling on a couch just inside, sitting in front of his merch table.

The show was pretty good in all, though we got there for the second act and caught only the end of the third after grabbing a bite to eat at a Chinese dive in little Italy; however, it was pretty set in my mind that I was there for only one real reason. I hadn't given much of Sebastien's solo work a whole lot of attention. We got his record in the radio station I work at earlier this year and I gave it a few spins but didn't fall in love with it. It was a while since I had listened to it, so I really didn't remember much of it at all, other than a feeling of the sound of the album. That being said, I got to go into the show with a completely open mind, ready for anything.

Let's just say I was impressed. I knew I loved Sebastien's voice and emotion, but seeing it live and while he played some smashing guitar, it made it all the better. He and his band The Mountains took the set for a night on the town. They had everyone in the crowd tapping their toes, bumping to the beat, and just straight getting down. Very rad set made even better by the size of the stage. you could fit about five people across, so everybody was up close and personal with what was going on. The best part of the set was when it finished, Sebastien laid his guitar on his amp to get feedback and walked off stage, through the crowd (told you this place was small) and to the back. I got a chance to chat it up with him after the set and actually had a smoke with all the guys from the band.


It kind of blew my mind what was really going on. Just a few years ago, this guy was on a major National Tour, playing on Conan and on MTV in a well-known band (Death From Above 1979, you dolts) and now he's back working his way up playing in tiny venue in front of 30 people. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to see him play in such a close setting, but at the same time I feel as if he doesn't deserve to be playing these shows. He's a fantastic performer with a solid record who's played big shows and should be playing them again.

'til next time. peace!
mike mo

Weekend Pix

The following shows have been endorsed by the Spot!

Thursday 12/4/08
WXVUltide feat. Screaming Females, The Bot Flies, Banned Books @ Villanova

Igor's Egg @ Millcreek Tavern
Nada Surf, The Jealous Girlfriends, Delta Spirit @ The Troc

Friday 12/5/08
Owen @ The Church

Saturday 12/6/08
Jukebox the Ghost, Exit Clov @ JBs
Beachouse, The Walkmen, The Subjects @ TLA
Ra Ra Riot, So Many Dynamos @ Swarthmore College

Sunday 12/7/08
Manchester Orchestra, Kevin Devine, Dead Confederate, All Get Out @ Northstar
Scott Weilland, The Airborne Toxic Event, The Ting Tings @ TLA

WXVU Top Added Albums Review (November 19th)

From the Villanova Times
By Lauren Stepanski

The Decemberists: Always the Bridesmaid: A Singles Series

Over the course of three months, The Decemberists have released these six singles, all of which were absolutely worth the wait. The Decemberists resonate as joyously emotional as ever. The opener, “Valerie Plame” is a joyous declaration of love mixed with a hint of distain. “Days of Elaine”, a reminiscent yet upbeat track in the form of Neutral Milk Hotel, shows up twice on the album, once in long form. The album as a whole is a collection of enthusiasm and bitterness and at the same time, a celebration of life. The album’s message moves toward a loss of hope with “Record Year”, but the humor in both “Raincoat Song” and “I’m Sticking With You” the Bridesmaid as a title suggests disappointment, but the series of singles is quite the opposite. The collection is focused and honest, and most of all inspiring.

Titles: Up With The Sun

The fact that Titles are from New Haven, Connecticut makes me think that good music really is right under your nose. Titles is one of those bands that you discover because they open up for the headliner, and you end up falling in love. Up With The Sun is almost the opposite of what you would imagine from the album artwork and title. The album is a heartlessly tormenting with its raw and honest lyrics. Musically, the album is not complex, but the lyrics definitely make up for it. The indie band keeps its melodies melodic and entrancing, seemingly taking influences from Band of Horses and even Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s. A quintessential indie album by all means, the lyrically carried Up With The Sun claims deeper truths than expected and deserves a million and one listens.

Tom Gabel: Heart Burns

Heart Burns is the first solo album from Tom Gabel, guitarist and vocalist from the punk band Against Me!. If Gabel’s sentiment isn’t real then I was definitely fooled. He vocalizes every thing I have wanted to say in one way or another about people who have wronged me. The album is almost a relief from what one would expect from a member of a punk band. Laden with acoustic guitar, the lyrics still ring true to a punk rocker, making for a semi humorous combination. Heart Burns is somewhat reminiscent of Meatloaf mixed with Blues Traveler and Nickelback (if that makes any sense). It actually does not make sense however, and that might be part of the appeal of the album. Tom Gabel is not worried about being too eighties or nineties, in fact he seems to write straight from the (burning) heart.

Hush Arbors: Hush Arbors

Hush Arbors, also known as Keith Wood, could easily be put with Andrew Bird, Jose Gonzalez, or Devendra Banhart. A little bit of country and a little bit of psychedelic folk combine to form the unique sound of Hush Arbors. Keith Woods’ haunting voice feels like emptiness – imagine an abandoned barn in the middle of the woods. The album is classified under “Gospel & Religious”, but it really is not evident nor important for that matter. The music is whole and complete, everything running smoothly from beginning to end. Check out “Follow Closely” for a culmination of Hush Arbors’ confidence and passion in the music he is creating.

The Sutras: Those Are Mountains

The Sutras release their first EP in over four years, with Those Are Mountains. The EP is simply written, easily understandable, and confident. “One Million Criminals” dances with military drums and horns, creating an undeniable air of formality and breaking it just the same with electric guitar and thought-provoking harmonies. The EP is fairly experimental, jumping to the electronic, spacey “Those Are Mountains” and then the the ballad “Turn Your Baby On”. Overall, Those Are Mountains is jumpy, and not cohesive, but the tracks themselves are all perfectly performed. The album offers a sort of insight into the personality of the band members, as diverse at mountains themselves.