M.I.A. – Born Free

So this new M.I.A. video is pretty violent. I like the punk feel of the song, but I’m still unsure about how I feel about her vocals on the track. NSFW

5 Shows in 5 Nights

Monday, March 29th – The XX w/ jj and Nosaj Thing @ Sanctuary of the Church

Nosaj Thing – WOW! Killer DJ!
jj = lame, maybe if I was in the mood to be lulled to sleep
The XX – sounded EXACTLY like their album, so not great but not bad either

Tuesday, March 30th – The Soft Pack @ Johnny Brenda’s

These guys were fun for sure! Great fuzzy,catchy tunes. Parasites was my fave song they played of the night.

Parasites

Wednesday, March 31st – Fanfarlo @ the Sanctuary of the First Unitarian Church

An acquaintance of mine described them perfectly, “The poor man’s Arcade Fire”-JerseyDan

Thursday, April 1st – Nada Surf @ the Church

I’m sorry did someone get stuck in the 90’s? Oh wait, riiiiight, that was you Nada Surf. I don’t get the following, but if you want to know what the 90’s felt and sounded like go see Nada Surf.

Friday, April 2nd – Major Lazer @ Starlight Ballroom

Dance Paaarrrttaaayyy!! I’ve seen Major Lazer before and Diplo’s shows are always a fun time. This one was no exception. “WE PARTY EVERY DAY! WE PARTY EVERY DAY!” ‘Nuff said!

WHEW! I was exhausted by the end of that week!

Miike Snow…WHAT??!!

Saw Miike Snow at the TLA in Philly on Thursday, March 25th. It was AMAZING!! One of the best shows I’ve seen in a long time and so much fun! You will dance, dance, dance!! Check it!

UNKLE and The Black Angels!

I love The Black Angels and I’m so happy to hear this collaboration!

My Love Affair with Plants & Animals

A quiet Monday night after a huge snowstorm hit the Northeast, I walked into the cozy and familiar territory of Johnny Brenda’s to see Montreal based band Plants and Animals. I don’t think I could have asked for a more perfect Monday night show. On Monday, March 2nd I went through all the emotions of love and heartache with Plants and Animals. Let me first say that their album Parc Avenue, as much as I love this album, does not do justice to their live act. I still highly recommend it and suggest listening to it from beginning to end over and over again.

As they began, an excitement overcame me. Warren Spicer’s voice blew me away. It was the beginning of our relationship, the new and exciting part of getting to know someone and realizing how truly fantastic they are. I fell in love during the appropriately named “New Kind Of Love.” The quality of Spicer’s voice is so lush that it carries you through the evening, like the arms of your lover wrapping around you and holding you tight.

During “Faerie Dance” and “Feedback in the Field” I knew I never wanted to see them go. The show was so intimate, it felt as though they were playing in my living room or bedroom for me and only me. I’ve stated this before, but whenever I see a band play and realize I never want the show to end it means they’re amazing in my eyes. Plants and Animals captured my heart and I didn’t want them to ever let go.

As they sang “Bye Bye Bye,” the song that got me interested in them, I knew our relationship was coming to an end. We had to part ways soon, our whirlwind romance was over. The encore was “Guru/Sinnerman” and what a fantastic way to end the evening, even though it meant they had to break my heart by ending the show. It was a 12-minute encore that celebrated the fantastic set they had just put on, and a dedication to our love affair.

I will revisit our relationship every time they come back to town.

Plants and Animals – Bye Bye Bye

Plants and Animals – New Kind Of Love