Micro-News

There never seems to be enough time to spend on this blog. I'll take advantage of a bit of down time with some music news while I have the chance.

This weekend RobertPollard is scheduled to play two shows in support of the simultaneously released Coast to Coast Carpet of Love and Standard Gargoyle Decisions respectively. Friday night you can catch the show at The Metro in Chicago and on Saturday you'll find him at Southgate House in Newport,Ky. In case you've been under a rock for the past couple of months you already know that these are the only shows planned for the foreseeable future. I'll have to take solace in the onslaught of new Pollard material coming in 2008. I'll be posting set lists and show reports as theAGP supporters send them in.

Death Cab For Cuttie's Chris Walla is preparing to release his first solo album Field Manual via Barsuk Records on Jan 29th. The album was delayed due to Walla's hard drive being confiscated by Homeland Security while a courier was transporting the album from Canada back to the US.

Second Chance Feedback

I doubt that this will turn into a regular segment seeing how March does a fine job of dusting off his favorite music from the past over at FDF.
This post reveals a mistake and a rush to judgement on my part I hope this is the first and last installment.



Ever have a disc change yout mind?
It doesn't happen often but it's happened to me over the past couple of days with the Shins' Wincing the Night Away. When I first heard the album last year I chalked it up as a rehash of there first two albums with a couple of decent songs. I was underwhelmed to say the least until recently that is A few days ago I was on my way out the door and was tired of everyting I had been listening to lately, so I figured what the hell I'd give it another spin.

It sticks to the Shins formula sure but the songwritting is superb and its a worthy addition to the catalog alongside Oh Inverted World and the there high water mark Chutes Too Narrow.

The shins will wrap up touring for Wincing the Night Away with a few holiday shows including the KROQ Acoustic Cristmas show on December 7th.

Where You Been?

Dinosaur Jr.'s 5th album seems like a good place as any to lift a title for this post. My first in nearly a month. In my absence The Red Sox won there 2nd World Series in four years, Radiohead has inked a deal with Dave Matthews label, and my eldest speaker has turned 6. I feel old, proud, and confused by all of the above.

Thanks to Bradley's Almanac for capturing The National's recent show at Paddy O's. This was a shw I desperately wanted to atttend but unfortunately did not. Go hear what we missed.

Where to begin?

I have yet to hear In Rainbows so lets just get that out of the way up front. All we need is another blog posting about the new Radiohead album. Truth be told i'm chomping at the bit to hear it. I just have not had the time to get it downloaded.

I've been caught up in playoff baseball and The Red Sox quest to get back to the Series, not to say I haven't found time to check out the 2 new albums from Robert Pollard Coast to Coast Carpet of Love and Standard Gargoyle Decisions are equally impressive. They combine for 32 new Pollard tunes without a clunker in the bunch. He'll play just 2 shows in support of these releases and neither one is remotely close to our fair city so lets move on shall we.




I was recently checking out the Hood web site in hopes that there would be some update on when the band would be active again. Late last year the band announced that they would be going on sabatical for 2007. All I found was a few links to some side projects with no official Hood news. This led me to grab the 1999 EP Home is Where it Hurts. Hood might be the best band you've never heard or maybe you've forgotten how great they were. If you're looking for a starting point I would recomend 2001's Cold House. Here's hoping 2008 will be the return of Hood.

Hood

Computer Rock & Court Troubles

According to the bands newsletter Braintree's favorite sons Gang Green will play October 19th in the basement ofthe Baseball Tavern. Due to some impending court issues facing the band this could be there last show for the next year.

On Sunday NPR will be airing Okkervil River recorded Live in Washington D.C. It's the next best thing to being there and you don't have to pay a babysitter. It is sure to be bittersweat after missing out on there set at the Middle East earlier this week.

The entire show can be heard Sunday night at 10 PM
NPR

Sgt. Disco is gonna kick your ass (stolen from a sticker)

As the title says I lifted that from the sticker that came with the new Circus Devils album, but it was just too perfect for this short post to pass up. I make it no secret to friends, family, and anyone who will listen my admiration for all things Robert Pollard. I realize that most if not all of these projects are aimed at the Bob die hard fan but sometimes it's just too hard to keep my yap shut.

Sgt. Disco is the 5th and latest release from Circus Devils. The on-going collaboration between Bob and multi-instrumentalist/producer Todd Tobias. You would think that with 32 tracks things might get tedious but it never does. Sgt Disco manages to accomplish something quite impressive, it reveals an accessibility without losing any of the prog-pop fire of the the Circus Devils previous output. With standouts like Pattern Girl, Brick Soul Mascots, and Rose in Paradise Pollard and Tobias have delivered another opus for the vault. The only problem is this will get buried under the two forthcoming Pollard releases Coast to Carpet of Love and Standard Gargoyle Decisions out on Merge on October 9th. It's a good problem to have.

MOB at The ICA

Mission of Burma are set to play The Institute of Contemporary Art this Sunday. They will play a matinee show at 4 and then again at 8PM. I haven't seen MOB since Jaunuary 2001 at the Paradise. They've played there share of dates in New England over the past 4 or 5 years but something always seemed to prevent me from attending. I've cleared the calendar to be front in center for the afternoon set at ICA on Sunday. Ok I don't know about front in center, but I'll be in room.

Indie Snobs and Strawberry Jam
This might be the newness talking but Animal Collective have released a stunning new record with Strawberry Jam. If you respect or just enjoy bands for being inventive,experimental and always pushing themselves to their creative limits look no further, you've just found your new favorite record.
Have I gone overboard with my praise? Nope not even close.


Band of Horses have become the target of the indie set for liscensing two songs from their soon to be released Cease to Begin. Altough the album doesn't drop til October 9th you can hear 2 tracks via Ford Motor Company's new commercial as well as Wal-Marts web-site. This has led the bands fans and detractors to scream sell-out.
Did it bother you when Wilco liscensed what seems like evey track of Sky Blue Sky to Volswagon? Me either.

Excuse Our Appearance While We Remodel

It was time to update, change , and improve the look of The AGP.
Over the next few days I'll be finalizing these changes and I'll be increasing the volume of content here. So now I've gone and made a promise It's time to get to work.

Thanks to my pal March who has been recieving frantic e-mails from me begging for his blogging expertise over last couple of days.
Check out his work here March

Boston Heatwave Take #3

I thought it was a good time for a random post and music news update.

The National have announced a show at the Roxy on October 6th in support of their stunning 4th release Boxer. I have not had the opportunity to bear witness to their live show but I'm already working on convincing Mrs. Speakers to join me for this one.

This is more rumor at this point and should be treated as such until the crack staff at The AGP can get full confirmation. Robert Pollard will play a few shows in late November and December. The cities that I've heard mentioned include Chicago and Newport, KY. Until I hear that it won't happen I will keep hope that we will see a show in New England before long. If not I'll just have to pack my bags and hit the road. As you may remember Pollard announced that he would be taking a break from playing Live at the end of the Normal Happiness Tour. So pack his cooler he's hitting the stage again.

Just to remind us when a band breaks up it may not be for very long. Knoxville's favorite sons Superdrag have reconvened for a reunion tour that will consist of six shows kicking of Nashville on October 5th. The Drag will play the Paradise in Boston on November 3rd.

The Return of Buffalo Tom

Last Tuesday marked the return of Buffalo Tom. OK I know they've been playing there annual Paradise shows over the past few years, but they haven't released any new material in 9 years. So it's nice to be able to gush a little over a band I always felt deserved more acclaim. Three Easy Pieces finds the bands in top form with 13 stunning tracks. Clint Conley (Mission of Burma) and Chris Toppin (Fuzzy) guest on what can only be explained as the return of one of Boston's best bands. You can catch them at The Paradise tomorrow night.

The Criminally Out of Print

Why are there so many quality recordings out of print?

I owned them once either on vinyl, cassette, or even CD's that I have since misplaced. Filling these holes in my music collection have proven to be more than difficult.

Sure I guess I could scour the used CD sites, but there's something exciting about walking into record store and finding somehting you haven't been able to find in years. Unfortunately those moments are few and far between.

Anyone reading this could surely come up with 5 records they need but can't find.

Here's mine:
The Neighborhoods The High Hard One
Gang Green - Any of the ep's, earlysingles, or full lengths (I'd even settle for a Best of)
The Connells - Fun and Games & Boylan Heights
Volcano Suns- Career In Rock
The Outlets- Whole New World

So now you know two things about me I'm in my late 30's and I like my late 80's Boston rock.

This weekend is brought to you by Wilco and your Dad

Weather you'll be in the crowd when Wilco takes the stage at the Bank of America Pavilion on June 28th or not the band will be spoiling it's fans once again with a Live stream of tonight's showhttp://wilcoworld.net/ from Indianapolis. As if that wasn't enough there set from this weekends Bonaroo Festival can be seen and heard viahttp://bonnaroo.com/. You might as well go for a Wilco trifecta and go ahead check out there show from London's Sheppard's Bush Empire in the roadcase section of wilcoweb.

Be sure to take care of your Pops this weekend as I know you will.

Bring him a cold one and his remote control.

Happy Fathers Day.

Music News That I Stole from Others

According to Paste Magazine, Merge Records, the Strong Lions e-mail group and countless other sources Robert Pollard is scheduled to release two new albums simultaneously on October9th. Coast to Coast Carpet of Love and Standard Gargoyle Decisions will be released by Merge. If you can't wait until the fall for some new uncle Bob tunes check out his new EP Silverfish Trivia released on his Prom is Coming Label.

Post-Rock kingpins Tortoise kick off their tour tonight with show in Columbus, OH before hitting the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, for not one but two shows on July 5th.

Boston's own Hallelujah The Hills will be holding a CD Release Party for there excellent debut Collective Psychosis Begone at Great Scott in Alston. I can't stop myself from spinning this disc at least once a day. Go to the show and buy the record to find out why critics and fans alike are falling all over themselves to tell you about this band.

http://www.hallelujahthehills.com/

The New Pornographers are set to release album#4 Challengers on August 21st. Matador has been streaming the track My Rights Versus Yours and if you haven't already already go get a hint at what is sure to be another gem from Carl Newman and Co. My Rights Versus Yours can be heard here: http://www.matadorrecords.com/the_new_pornographers/

Back From Saturn X

I always swore that this would be about my rabid fandom and not personal. After a few set backs over the last 6 months or so, I am happy to re-launch the Ash Gray Proclamation.
Hey has anyone else totally fallen in love with Boxer from The National? Now that's a record worth gushing over.

To skip the details would be wrong. I faced some personal and professional challenges recently and I am happy say I think I'm all that much better for it. Thanks for letting me give a vague explanation of my absence.

Power Blessings,

Evil Speakers

Pitchfork Media Releases there Top 50

This is one list I look forward to every year. I don't always agree but they always do a bang up job. They list there 50 records of 2006 plus some other lists including staff picks.

www.pitchforkmedia.com

Rolling Stone Release There List

To be fair Rolling Stone was the 1st music magazine I subscribed to while I was a wee lad, but over the years it hasn't offered me much in way of insight, but everyone gets a crack at these year end lists.

Wow I feel like I'm being hard on the old magazine, ah well here's the list: http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/12800635/the_top_50_albums_of_2006

The List of Lists

The holiday season has arrived and with that the yearly onslaught of year end list. What journalists consider the best releases of the last 12 months. I realize that the professional journalists have some insight to share but there's something special about the everyman chiming in. I put more weight into what the record buyer thinks as opposed to what the journalists thinks.

For the last 4 or 5 years I've been compiling a list along with my like minded music loving brethren and wanna be rock scribes. If you would like to share send your list along to bryanhamill@yahoo.com.

The first list of the year comes from across the pond courtesy of the much loved and hated New Musical Express.

NME's top 50 albums of 2006 are:
1. Arctic Monkeys - 'Whatever People Say I Am That's What I'm Not'
2. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - 'Show Your Bones'
3. Muse - 'Black Holes And Revelations'
4. Hot Chip - 'The Warning'
5. CSS - 'Cansei De Ser Sexi'
6. Gnarls Barkley - 'St Elsewhere'
7. Long Blondes - 'Someone To Drive You Home'
8. The Strokes - 'First Impressions Of Earth'
9. Kasabian - 'Empire'
10. My Chemical Romance - 'The Black Parade'
11. Howling Bells - 'Howling Bells'
12. The Killers - 'Sam's Town'
13. Panic! At The Disco - 'A Fever You Can't Sweat Out'
14. TV On The Radio - 'Return To Cookie Moutain'
15. Thom Yorke - 'The Eraser'
16. Amy Winehouse - 'Back To Black'
17. The Futureheads - 'News And Tributes'
18. The Rapture - 'Pieces Of The People We Love'
19. The Longcut - 'A Call And Response'
20. The Streets - 'The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living'
21. The Raconteurs - 'Broken Boy Soldiers'
22. The Flaming Lips - 'At War With The Mystics'
23. The Knife - 'Silent Shout'
24. The Secret Machines - 'Ten Silver Drops'
25. Mogwai - 'Mr Beast'
26. Jarvis - 'Jarvis'
27. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - 'Clap Your Hands Say Yeah'
28. Morrissey - 'Ringleader Of The Tormentors'
29. The Spinto Band - 'Nice And Nicely Done'
30. Cat Power - 'The Greatest'
31. The Sunshine Underground - 'Raise The Alarm'
32. Lily Allen - 'Alright, Still'
33. The Bronx - 'The Bronx'
34. Albert Hammond Jr - 'Yours To Keep'
35. Forward Russia - 'Give Me A Wall'
36. Datarock - 'Datarock'
37. Be Your Own Pet - 'Be Your Own Pet'
38. Metric - 'Live It Out'
39. The Young Knives - 'Voices Of Animals And Men'
40. Midlake - 'The Trials Of Van Occupanther'
41. The Gossip - 'Standing In The Way Of Control'
42. The Automatic - 'Not Accepted Anywhere'
43. Beck - 'The Information'
44. Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan - 'Ballad Of The Broken Seas'
45. Bob Dylan - 'Modern Times'
46. Semi Finalists - 'Semi Finalists'
47. Wolfmother - 'Wolfmother'
48. Get Cape Wear Cape Fly - 'The Chronicles Of A Bohemian Teenager'
49. Absentee - 'Schmotime'
50. The Kooks - 'Inside In/Inside Out'

Bad News For Blowfish and Strong Lions





I'm back after a crazy couple of weeks and unfortunately I don't have good news to share. This news sucks plain and simple, Robert Pollard has decided to stop touring indefinitely. After injuring himself on his most recent tour he's decided to take a break from playing shows. If you've seen him with GBV or with The Ascending Masters you know that he will be missed on the national touring circuit. That being said he has 7 new albums planned for release in the near future so there is a bit a good news to share. At 49 and the amount of time that he has spend on the road I knew that things would come to an end eventually. He hasn't ruled out playing Live again but as of now he will be close to home in Dayton, OH doing what's he's been doing for what seems like forever, recording and releasing pop/prog/rock magic.


The full story can be found here:


http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003466526

Robert Pollard Tour Cancellation Part II

This might seem like overkill but when you look forward to show the way I look forward to seeing Bob. After all this here blog is the namesake of a Pollard tune, OK I'm a fan boy I'm not ashamed to admit it. I can't help but feel a little disappointed about this cancellation. However that disappointment quickly gives way to wishes of a speedy recovery. I never should have looked at a recent set list, in the words of Bob this set list will make you shit.

I can only hope that Bob gets back to Boston in early 2007 and by all means if anyone has a lead on any recordings from this tour please let me know. On Tuesday Bob & The Ascending Masters played a show for WXPN's The World Cafe http://www.xpn.org/ that should be posted shortly. As soon as I get any information on that I'll post it here.