TV on the Radio @ Brooklyn Masonic Temple, Wednesday, October 15th
There are some bands whose God-like characteristics fade a bit in a live setting. Merely seeing that they’re human is enough. They have arms and legs and eyes and ears and a nose, just like you, they’re holding the instruments you’ve seen hundreds of times, and maybe even know how to play. They’re simply standing...
The Notwist @ Webster Hall, Monday, Oct. 13th
In their recordings, the Notwist might give off the impression of being a sleepy little electro-pop band, but don’t let that twist your notions of what their live show is like. Sure, they hide behind the gentle guise of glasses (four out of the five touring members wear them), but in a live setting, their...
T-Sides Elsewhere, Oct. 15th Edition
Things are coming up slowly as we get back into the swing of things, but just you wait. It’s ROCKtober, which means there’s something to see/do/listen to/write about basically every day. Until the impending barrage of pieces that will likely make your eyes bleed, I have a few snippets to tide you over. I’m back...
Lost MP3 of the Week: John Fahey, “On The Sunny Side Of The Ocean”
John Fahey has been recommended to me enough times that I’ve lost count, and has been cited as an influence by a decent chunk of the artists in my listening library, and yet, though I’ve had The Transfiguration of Blind Joe Death for ages now, it’s taken me an absurd amount of time to properly...
Beck w/ MGMT @ United Palace, Wednesday, Oct. 8th
Beck could have been a more engaging performer at Wednesday’s United Palace show, but what he lacked in personality on stage, he made up for in song. The show was the opener of a three-day stand at the Washington Heights venue, and it was hard to tell whether he was tired from touring or simply...
Fleet Foxes @ Webster Hall, Sunday, Oct. 6th
It’s easy enough to say that live performance is the true test of a band. But there’s something that goes beyond that. Will a show that’s great once be great 10 times? In a culture prone to fanaticism, there should be things that interest the audience member who’s seen the band on every tour for...
Recess
If things seem a little quiet here at T-Sides lately, that’s because we’re moving! Not the website, it’ll still be right here, just our base of operations. We’re cookin’ up some great features for you, though, as always, so please stay tuned. In the meantime, here’s a little something in the spirit of relocating for...
T-Sides B-Sides: Preservation Hall Jazz Band
My friend Clay Franks is a true Louisianan. I’ve been hounding him to write something ever since he finished his ethereal urban prose set to My Bloody Valentine. So, he recently wrote a lovely piece on New Orleans and the Preservation Hall Jazz band, and what with New Orleans being the center of attention during...
Snoop Dogg Flees to India
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y83P0tiXDXo[/youtube] This is, without a doubt, one of the more perplexing and hilarious things that Snoop Dogg has ever done. And with Snoop Dogg, that’s saying something. I’ve racked my brain for reasons how and why this could’ve possibly come together, and here are a few explanations I’ve conjured: Top 5 Reasons Snoop decided to...
On Turning 24
Not to take an overly narcissistic turn here, but today is your blogmaster’s 24th birthday. As it just so happens, one of my favorite bands – I’m sure you can guess who – has a song that mentions being 24, which also happens to be the only song that immediately comes to mind that sings...
Lost MP3 of the Week: The Doors, “The Crystal Ship”
It’s horribly cliche, but over the past couple summers, the moment the temperatures move towards 80 degrees, I reach for my Doors’ collection. I always start out more or less listening to everything of theirs I own, then as the summer progresses, I cling to a particular song, usually one I hadn’t paid much attention...
T-Sides Exclusive: New Two Gallants Song (Live Recording)
Image courtesy flickr user FXR I’ve acquired a very good quality live recording of Two Gallants performing a new song at Bonnaroo. Yes, Bonnaroo was back in June. I must admit I’ve been sitting on it awhile because I’ve been trying to decipher the lyrics. I’m not sure of the title, but this particular unreleased...
Soapbox