Dananananaykroyd - Glasgow ABC October 29th

Apologies it's a wee bit late. Well actually really late.  Still, here it is.

“For a band called Dananananaykroyd we’ve done more than we ever expected or possibly even intended and we’ve enjoyed nearly every step of the way.”  It was with these words back in September that Dananananaykroyd announced they were to split, meaning the UK tour they had penciled in would be their last.  The beginning of the end, so to speak was in Glasgow, the band’s hometown and setting of countless classic Dananananaykroyd gigs.

Things began in far from ideal fashion as less than two minutes into the band 's opener E Numbers, a faulty guitar threatened to ruin the evening.  While repairs were carried out we were treated a glimpse of a possible post Dananananaykroyd career path in the form of some stand up comedy from lead singer Calum Gunn before eventually, normal service was resumed.  The band themselves were on great form, laughing, joking and generally having, what looked like, a complete blast.  The crowd were slightly more subdued, particularly for a Saturday night in Glasgow, and had to be coaxed into life but that that didn’t take too long.  A Dananananaykroyd gig always has been very much an interactive experience; Gunn and fellow lead Singer John Baillie Jr at one point spend some time getting to know their audience by hugging the vast majority of the front row, they even descend into the crowd for one number, and that’s before we’ve even started on the mass kneel down, with virtually everyone in the crowd joining the band in kneeling before jumping to life as the first chords kicked in, mosh pits and some particularly enthusiastic dancing followed.

As gimmicky as this all sounds, I can assure it’s not.  Crowd interaction has always been an important aspect of the Dananananaykroyd live package and they do it tonight, as usual better than just about everyone else out there.  This would obviously matter very little if the music wasn’t up to scratch, but of course it is.  Playing a mixture of songs from both records, they delivered a wonderful set, every song bursting with energy and enthusiasm. Although the mix wasn’t quite perfect resulting in a few tracks becoming a mass of indistinguishable (if still brilliant) noise.  It’s a minor criticism of an otherwise excellent performance.

With only one thing left to do, the band introduce Some Dresses and invite the audience to participate in what will be the last ever Scottish wall of cuddles.  The sight of hundreds  of people who do not know each other from Adam, running at each other before embracing never ever gets old and tonight particularly it really is a beautiful sight.  And just like that, as the lights came up the sobering realisation that for most, this was the last time they would ever witness such a spectacle.  Thanks for the memories Dananananaykroyd, you will be sorely missed.

The National - Edinburgh Corn Exchange 23.08.11

Apologies that this is nearly two months late.  I did write it only a matter of days after the gig but forgot about it, and only found it when I was tidying up my computer today.  Enjoy.

The National frontman Matt Berninger begins with a simple “hello” before the band kick things off with the tender Runaway from last year’s High Violet.  Within seconds we were already in raised neck hairs and goosebumps territory.  From then onward the band had the sold out audience eating out of the palms of their hands, each track receiving an almost euphoric response.  The National themselves seem genuinely humbled by the reaction, it’s their first time playing Edinburgh and Berninger sounds sincere and genuine when he tells the crowd it’s been a privilege.

Like any National show, picking highlights is a nearly impossible task.  Such is the richness of their back catalogue they could play a set comprising entirely of b-sides and album tracks, and their devoted fan base would still sing along to every word.  As it was, the band played eight songs that would be replaced by the time they played in Glasgow 24 hours later.  The point is there are few bands on the planet today with as many good tracks to draw from for a live performance as The National and tonight just when you think the band have reached their pinnacle each track eclipses the one before.

From the compelling drums and horn riff of Bloodbuzz Ohio to the epic, percussion heavy Squalor Victoria, even Available from 2003’s Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers and Wasp Nest from 2004’s Cherry Tree EP sound as if they were written with stadiums in mind.  The band finish with Fake Empire, sounding as joyous and perfect as ever.

During the encore Berninger continues with his traditional disappearing act during Mr November, however instead of diving head first into the crowd, climbing a speaker stack and dislodging a roof tile was the order of the day.  “By the way, there’s a dead body up there”, and as the tracks reaches it’s crescendo with Berninger screaming “I’m Mr November I won’t fuck us over” even if there was, I think few would care such was the intensity and quality of the performance.

Terrible Love follows before a stunning unplugged version of Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks, complete with mass audience sing along, ends what has been yet another remarkable and unforgettable performance from the finest band on the planet today.

The National played:

Runaway 

Anyone's Ghost 

Secret Meeting 

Baby, We'll Be Fine 

Bloodbuzz Ohio 

Slow Show 

Squalor Victoria 

Afraid of Everyone 

Conversation 16 

Son 

Wasp Nest 

Available/Cardinal Song 

Sorrow 

Apartment Story 

Lucky You 

England 

Fake Empire 

Encore:

Santa Clara 

Mr. November 

Terrible Love 

Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks

Mr November complete with roof destruction:

Youth Lagoon - The Year Of Hibernation

Two posts within a week, who would have thought it.  I'll be honest I've been off work sick for the past couple of days, and I'm quickly running out of TV to watch and the flat is looking immaculate, thanks to my new found status as a domestic god.  With no TV or housework to catch up on, I went a bit mental catching up with a backlog of new(ish) music, and on the back of a glowing review from Pitchfork as well as just about every other music publication going, I got my hands on the debut LP from Trevor Powers who operates under the moniker of Youth Lagoon.

I'm going to keep this brief, as my sinuses feel like they're going to explode (feeling sorry for myself? Aye just a bit) but it's fair to say that The Year Of Hibernation is a fairly stunning piece of work.  After only a handful of listens, I'm already completely immersed in it.  For all the gorgeous and serene arrangements and catchy melodies, this a record born from anxiety and worry,  "When I was 17, my mother said to me, don't stop imagining/the day that you do is the day that you die"he sings on "Seventeen".  Lyrically it's powerful and astute throughout and the contrast of Powers' many insecurities and the upbeat, dreamy arrangements is the key to the record's success.

I also thought I would help Powers' cause of trying to get across, that despite what some reviews have said the record wasn't actually recorded in his bedroom:

"I've been trying to make this clear for months in interviews, but to those who still don't know, this album wasn't recorded in my bedroom, but at a close friend's house. I wrote all the songs and crafted them in my bedroom. But the album was recorded at my good friend Jeremy Park's home studio. He is a dear friend of mine and an excellent engineer ♥"

Regardless of where the record was born, Youth Lagoon has created a nostalgic, emotional and beautiful debut record.

Youth Lagoon - Cannons

The Year Of Hibernation is out now. Get it from Amazon with this handy wee link.

RIP Dananananaykroyd

So aye as usual sorry I've not done this for a while. However the demise of one of the most refreshing, original and best bands to come out of Scotland for years has prompted me into action.  The magnificent Dananananaykroyd today announced their split via their Facebook page and had this to say:


"We all still love each other very much. For a band called Dananananaykroyd we've done more than we ever expected or possibly even intended and we've enjoyed nearly every step of the way. We're very keen at the same time to make sure we're never compromising or giving anything less than 100% and at this juncture of our collective lives, it makes sense to go out with a bang - which is exactly what this tour will be."

I first saw them nearly five years ago and instantly fell in love with their unique brand of 'fight pop' to coin their own self-mocking genre.  I saw them a few more times over the past five years and whatever the venue or occasion they were always consistently amazing.  To this day they remain one of the most enjoyable bands I have ever had the privilege of seeing.  The band leave behind two fantastic albums, one of the best EP's of the past decade as well as a few singles.  Their last tour begins in Bristol on October 12, so aye if you've never seen them this is your last chance - DAE IT!  ABC for me please.  The tour concludes in Newcastle on November 12.

Frightened Rabbit - A Frightened Rabbit EP

Apologies again for my lack of any sort of chat for the last few weeks.  I've been on my holibags though so give me a break.  Sweden and London were incredible and I'm off to New York tomorrow so no complaints really.  To come back and be welcomed by a new EP from Frabbit was a bit of a treat.  Due to the fact I need to actually pack for crossing the Atlantic, I'll keep this very, very brief.  It's incredible.  Here is my highlight from it, Fuck This Place featuring Tracyanne Campbell From Camera Obscura.  The band play New York twice when I'm there and they're both conveniently sold out.  I'm hoping some kind New York tout is willing to accept a reasonable sum for a ticket though and I get to catch the lads in the Big Apple.

Frightened Rabbit - Fuck This Place (Featuring Tracyanne Campbell From Camera Obscura) by ListenBeforeYouBuy

We Were Promised Jetpacks - WWPJ 1

We Were Promised Jetpacks today revealed a teaser of what we can expect from their second LP, due out later this year.  The video, simply titled WWPJ 1, is a mere one minute and five seconds in length, and contains live footage from their adventures Stateside as well as an agonising snippet of a track from album number two.  The album is currently penciled in for release in the Autumn and the quality of this teaser, has ensured this will be rather long wait.

The Rapture - How Deep Is Your Love?

The Rapture are back, to yet again slay dancefloors across the world. How Deep Is Your Love? may have been five years in the making but after just one listen, I'm firmly of the opinion it was worth every minute.  Utterly incredible.  This will soundtrack your summer.

The Rapture - How Deep Is Your Love by DFA Records