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Friday, February 27, 2009

My man Roberto forgot to include what bodes to be a lumbering, textured Southern rockshow when Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit take the stage at Club Cafe at 10:30 on Saturday.

Admittedly, Jason and the Unit weren’t on my radar until the new album recently dropped and my fiance’s cousin gave ‘em a shoutout on her Facebook feed. That said, I’ve seen his former band, the Drive-By Truckers open for a bunch of acts and fondly recall them as one of my favorite bands to see open for another good band. High praise, I know.

His most recent voyage post-Truckers sounds good on album and will very likely sound good live, too. This town loves the Truckers so I expect the Cafe to brim it’s capacity, warmly welcoming Isbell back to the ‘Burgh.

It should also be noted that Lawrenceville’s own Good Night, States (WYEP’s 2008 Pick for Top Local Artist) is playing the early show (7:30) at Club Cafe. Not a bad double-bill. Except that you’ll have to buy separate tickets to see both shows.

Good insights about his creative process and nice acoustica from Isbell here:

Once again, there’s a lot of good music in town this weekend, and I’ll be missing it. “C’est la vie”, says old Chuck Berry.

I complain a lot about Pittsburgh getting passed over on tours I’d love to see, or about how all the good shows are on Mondays or other random weekdays. But I have to say that this winter/spring is seeing a pretty solid lineup. In fact, so solid that there are serious dilemmas on the horizon… Kweller with the Watson Twins or Tokyo Police Club? Josh Ritter or Heartless Bastards and Gaslight Anthem? Those are tough questions, kids. And on Saturdays, no less!

Anyway, my personal recommendation for this Saturday goes to Ben Kweller and the Watsons, if only because it’s a great double-bill. Mr. Kweller’s new CD, Changing Horses, has gone more than a little bit country, and successfully. You can still expect plenty of high-energy pop to fill out his live set, though. And with the saccharine tones of the Watson Twins to warm Diesel’s clubby heart, it should be a feelgood night all around.

In fact, given that Diesel tends to shut shows down early on the weekends to make room for the meatheads, and that TPC are the headliners over in Millvale, you can probably catch both shows, all of which should make for a nice little Saturday.

Downloads:
Ben Kweller – “Sawdust Man” (Mediafire link)
The Watson Twins – “How Am I To Be?” (Mediafire link)
Tokyo Police Club – “Juno” (Mediafire link)

Like every great indie darling with a new release this year, Neko Case is offering an early stream of next Tuesday’s Middle Cyclone via NPR. I’m really digging it. But what I’m really digging is this album cover. Come on! How completely awesome is that?

The story behind it is apparently that Miss Case didn’t want her image on the album art, but her label, Anti-Records, insisted on it, so she went all out. Well played, Neko. Well played.
I was a bit bummed when I looked out the window to see rain this morning. But then I stepped out the door, raised my umbrella, and this gem came up on the walkman. All was good in Pittsburgh.

I think they played the Rex last year. I’m suddenly sorry I missed it.

Download:
The Proclaimers – “500 Miles” (Mediafire link)

Thursday, February 26, 2009

1. Stephen Malkmus said in the January 22 Rolling Stone that a Pavement reunion was a possibility.
2. Four of the five Pavementeers jammed together for Bob Nastanovich’s wedding last weekend.
3. Rumour hath it that Malkmus played a bunch of Pavement covers last night.
4. That’s sort of a stupid headline I went with.
5. That is all.
Download:
Pavement – “Secret Knowledge of Backroads” (Mediafire link)