New Noise Pop

As Divisadero Street becomes "New Valencia" (or "Valencia II" if you prefer), the first week of May is officially anointed "New Noise Pop". The end of April brought a couple shows leading up to this week of aural hedonism (check out my extremely streamlined design, put together by the most sought after artistic minds). Here's a quick rundown so far.

Dungen - Great. Just great. They didn't play either of my favorite songs, "Lipsill" or "Du E För Fin För Mig" but I don't mind that much. I found out Ta Det Lungt means "take it easy" and that made a lot of sense, seeing that they were pretty fucking rockin'. Whatever. That might a different Swedish point of view. Nonetheless, all I wanted to do sit back, take the button-down down a few notches, slip on my Risky Business shades and sip on a Bartles and James. Or just nap. In a total good way though.

The Go! Team - I had seen the Brighton group before and thought they were awesome. They still are. Unfotunately I fell a little out of love with Ninja, their peppy ringleader, who's grating rap was far too forefront to make it enjoyable. She's a great leader and a fantastic dancer, but the emphasis should be on the instruments... or the chirp of the sweet-voiced Japanese guitar player.

Viva Voce - To be quite honest I found myself twidling my thumbs. I was really jazzed the last time I saw the husband-wife duo but this time, despite the double necked guitar and cutesy (but understated) enthusiasm they had, I was kinda bored. Weird mood, I guess.

Mates of State - I've come to the realization that I like probably 92% of their music which is a pretty high percentage. You could say I celebrate their whole catalog and it's nice to know they do too. They covered all they could in a regular sized set, from all albums, and though I've seen them play and make puppy dog eyes at each other a handful of times now. I'd do it again. Just try me.

Celebration - Though slightly off-kilter, I completely love these guys. They have my full devotion forever and ever. Slightly dissonant and rhythmic to the max, they just had this unabashed emotion, culminated in the jarring and reckless dancing of singer Katrina Ford. Her vocals can rub people the wrong way a bit and she's a bit liberal with her use of shrieks and gutteral noises but as I've said before, love is blinding and I let it slide. Along with a sort of primitive drumming and eerily enchanting organ sounds, Celebration had my heart from the first tambourine shake.


Celebration: There was another pic with quasi-nippleage, so I chose this one.

TV on the Radio - I have to hand it to them. They know their hits. TVOTR put together a great setlist with old faves of mine like "Dreams", "The Wrong Way" and "Young Liars" while mixing in new songs from the forthcoming Return to Cookie Mountain (amazing title, I must admit) like "Dirty Whirlwind" an "Wolf Like Me". All together, this was a fantastic show

Okay - I've "seen" them (him?) twice and neither time I could tell you what the hell was going on because I was hanging out on the patio or spacing out at the weird crap they play on the TVs at Bottom of the Hill. That's about all I have on that one.

Sunset Rubdown - I took me a while to really love Shut Up I Am Dreaming (which was released this past Tuesday), so the expectations for the show were not super high. But then I remembered, it's not like I have to reacclimate myself with these songs. I already like them. So the show was excellent. Spencer Krug's weirdo warble is like a sonic panty remover for the ladies, but though seemingly simple, Krug's songwriting and arrangements are surprisingly sophisticated, complete with keyboard delicacies and non-intrusive guitar riffage. There was sweating, Danny Devito stories and Camilla of Pony Up! (which any BIM afficianado can tell you was the subject of the first post ever), throw in some PBRs and laughing with friends and you have a pretty excellent night.


Yeah, this is the one with the nippleage.

New Noise Pop '06 continues with Islands and Why? (@ Slim's) on Saturday and concludes with Destroyer on Monday (@ Cafe Du Nord).