Monday, March 27, 2006
smitten

Every once in awhile I hear this from a friend: "You're going to see (insert band keyshere)? I thought you hated them." And my reply is often that, "yeah, I do." But there's a reason that I'll check out a band that I haven't thought much of in the past. And, that's because (especially when it comes to local bands that I've seen very early on in their lifespan), things change; my tastes for one, but also, bands get better. I'm not sure which is responsible for my reformed opinion on Run Chico Run, but I'd imagine it's a bit of both. The first time I saw the Victoria based twosome was almost three years ago, opening for the Constantines at the Brickyard. I was significantly underwhelmed. Lucky for me, the kind folks at Boompa were gracious enough to send a copy of their brand spankin' new cd, Slow Action, to me.

Matt Skillings and Thomas Shields definitely sound as though they've honed their craft a bit, but (as much as I love them) the muffled confines of the Brickyard might not have been the best place for a first date with their music. There's a lot of stuff going on here. Guitars, drums, synth stabs, piano, seemingly random sounds, and harmonized vocals all compete for air on Slow Action's densely layered tracks. The tunes also resist easy categorization. Yes, there is a unifying "sound," but the boys jump around a bit. "Clockwork Crows" and "Oneanotherwell" feature that jagged rhythmic action that I was complaining Hot Hot Heat had lost, a couple of posts back. Opener, "Broadcast," will probably impress the "freak folk" fan in your life. And, closer and sorta title track, "Slow Action Is The Best Action," sounds like it could soundtrack a spooky, Tim Burton directed, animated film. I'm still digesting it, but thus far, I'm suitably impressed.

download: Run Chico Run - Clockwork Crows (via Boompa)

As a funny aside, when I popped the cd into my computer ITunes displayed track 3, as "Smitten (Visit Http://www.tower.com/theconnection)." The URL takes you to some Tower Records podcast. Weird.

For the record, if you're employment involves sending people CDs, I do promise to listen to everything I get, but I'm probably only going to write about things that I like.

For the record, if you're from Jagjaguwar and you email me a headsup that you've posted a new Ladyhawk .mp3, I will most definitely write about it. I can't wait to hear a recording of "Teenage Love Song," which I'm assuming, is my favourite Ladyhawk liveshow sing along song ("I don't believe in endless love..." You know the one). This blog is going to to turn into a Ladyhawk fansite or something soon.

download: Ladyhawk - The Dugout

Vice's blog has a Chromeo mixtape (yes, tape) up for download. This is all kinds of awesome, as I would venture to say that most of these remixes are better than the album versions (and I like those quite a bit). They're also giving away 50 actual cassettes. Head over there to find out how to get your hands on one.

Finally, head over to my buddy Martin's MySpace to check out his absolutely slammin' DFA1979 vs. Purple Ribbon AllStars blend.

now playing: DJ K. - Romantic Kryptonites (DFA 1979 vs. PRA)

3 Comments:

Yea Run Chico Run is one of those bands where the more you listen, the more you like.

Meggee from Limblifter is a huge fan of them.

By Blogger Peter, at 3:24 p.m.  

do you have any further info on the Julie Doiron Zulu in store?

By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:36 p.m.  

not yet.. when i get a time, ill post for sure though.

By Blogger Quinn, at 11:10 a.m.  

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upcoming shows
2/8 Twin Sister, Eleanor Friedberger, and Ava Luna @ the Media Club
2/9 David Choi @ the Rio
2/10 Secret Chiefs 3 and Dengue Fever @ the Rickshaw
2/13 White Buffalo @ the Media Club
2/14 The Ballyntines and Pleasure Cruise (TT) @ the Biltmore
2/18 Grimes w/Born Gold @ Fortune (early)
2/18 Cruel Young Heart, Young Liars, the Oh Wells, and Matiation @ the Dodson Rooms (AA)
2/18 Cursive w/UME @the Media Club
2/19 The Asteroids Galaxy Tour w/Vacationer @ Venue
2/20 Veronica Falls w/Bleached @ the Media Club
2/26 DJ Krush @ Fortune
2/29 Trevor Hall @ the Media Club
3/6 Slow Club w/Signals @ the Media Club
3/7 Cloud Nothings w/Mr. Dream @ the Media Clubr
3/8 Islands @ the Rio
3/10 Memoryhouse @ the Waldorf
3/17 William Fitzsimmons @ the Biltmore (early)
3/18 Magnetic Fields @ the Vogue (AA)
3/21 Plants & Animals>/b> @ the Rickshaw
3/22 Drive-by Truckers @ the Commodore
3/23 White Rabbits @ the Biltmore
3/23 Loney Dear @ the Media Club
3/24 Sharon Van Etten and the War on Drugs @ the Biltmore (early)
3/25 Nada Surf and An Horse @ the Rickshaw
3/27 The Ting Tings @ the Commodore
4/5 House de Racket @ the Electric Owl
4/6 Chairlift w/Nite Jewel @ the Electric Owl
4/7 Heartless Bastards @ the Media Club
4/8 Metronomy @ Venue
4/8 Gotye @ the Vogue (AA)
4/9 Cults @ Venue
4/10 First Aid Kit @ Venue
4/10 Andrew Bird w/Laura Marling @ the Vogue (AA)
4/13 The Odds and the Grapes of Wrath @ the Rickshaw
4/14 The Joel Plaskett Emergency @ the Vogue (AA)
4/24 School of Seven Bells w/Exitmusic @ the Electric Owl
4/26 Justice @ the PNE Forum (AA)
4/27 M83 @ the Vogue (AA)
4/27 Yukon Blonde @ the Commodore
4/28 Neon Indian @ Venue (early)
5/6 Delta Spirit w/Waters @ the Electric Owl
5/9 Yann Tiersen @ the Rickshaw
5/11 Great Lake Swimmers w/Cold Specks @ the Commodore
5/12 The Boxer Rebellion> @ the Biltmore
5/27 Coeur de Pirate @ Venue

legend:
AA = all ages
DG = @damaged goods
DFTK = @dirty for the kids
FJW = @fake jazz wed
EN = @easy now
GD = @glory days
HL = @higher learning JH = @junior high
JY= @junkyard
RRPP = @rocknroll pizza party
SD = @shindig
TT = @toonie tuesday
NW = @no worries

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previous posts
kid, you've got some shit to learn
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le le low
easy love
decorate, round the base, all the graves of our lo...
digital bath
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you can't hurry love
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mp3s are for preview purposes, if you like what you hear, buy it at your favourite indie record store. please don't direct link to photos. click for more.

writing by Quinn
unless noted

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