the very dangerous world of haberdashery

You don't even know your skrink from your skrod!

SHIFT mix#13

You stupid logger blogger!

v 3.0: thank you/set-list

THANKS to everyone that came out Saturday for SHIFT v 3.0! We had a stupendous crowd and hope everyone shook it like a British nanny. Thank you to DJ Verbal Kent for his great set during the guest hour and to everyone who came to celebrate Metric's fantastic new album, Fantasies! Thanks as always to Cobalt for letting us take over their bar and bring some loud, fresh music to 17th Street. Saturday was great, you guys rock!

Hope to see everyone on SATURDAY MAY 23RD for our SHIFT Memorial Day Blowout!

- Lt. Lush

set-list

Metric - Hustle Rose
Stars - Set Yourself On Fire
Metric - Waves
Infadels - Topboy
Shiny Toy Guns - Jackie Will Save Me
Interpol - Say Hello to the Angels
Garbage - Til The Day I Die
Bjork - There's More To Life Than This
Metric - Front Row
Pulp - Disco 2000
Munchausen By Proxy (f/ Zooey Deschanel & Von Iva) - Yes Man
Missing Persons - Walking In LA
Nine Inch Nails - The Beginning of the End (Ladytron remix)
Le Tigre - On The Verge
Kylie Minogue - Red Blooded Woman (Whitey Mix)
Metric - Combat Baby
Frankmusik - In Step
Phoenix - Too Young
A-Ha - Take On Me (The Twelves Remix)
The Cardigans - My Favorite Game
The Idle Hands - Loaded
The Sounds - Dance With Me
Franz Ferdinand - This Fire
Bloc Party - Your Visits Are Getting Shorter
No Doubt - Sunday Morning
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Y Control (The Faint remix)
Lily Allen - Fuck You
Beck - Timebomb
Metric - Dead Disco
The Presets - My People
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Heads Will Roll
Peaches - More
The Faint - The Geeks Were Right (Does It Offend You, Yeah? Remix)
Scissor Sisters - Music Is The Victim
Metric - Satellite Mind
Kaiser Chiefs - Everyday I Love You Less and Less
Garbage - Why Do You Love Me
Lady Sovereign - So Human
Nine Inch Nails - Meet Your Master (The Faint remix)
Sherell Rowe - Woman
Natalie Portman's Shaved Head - Me + Yr Daughter
Cake - Comfort Eagle
Dragonette - I Get Around
Lykke Li - Little Bit (CSS Remix)
Matt & Kim - Yeah Yeah [Flosstradamus Remix]
Chromeo - Tenderoni (MSTRKRFT Remix)
Rihanna - Breakin' Dishes
Madonna - Impressive Instant
Cut Copy - Lights & Music
Frankmusik - Better Off As Two (Justin Faust Remix)
Garbage - Temptation Waits
Britney Spears - Radar
Basement Jaxx - Romeo
Calvin Harris - The Girls
Dragonette - the Boys
Heartsrevolution - Switchblade (LA Riots Remix)
The Ting Tings - That's Not My Name (L.A. Riots Remix)
Mariah Carey - I'll Be Lovin U Long Time (DESIGNER DRUGS REMIX)
Depeche Mode - John the Revelator (UNKLE RE Construction)
Milke - Love Get Out of My Way (Designer Drugs Remix)
Daniel Bedingfield - James Dean (I Wanna Know)
Pay TV - Miss Capitalist
The Rapture - Whoo! Alright-Yeah...Uh Huh
Metric - Monster Hospital (MSTRKRFT Remix)
Gwen Stefani - What Are You Waiting For
Melody Club - Electric
Pink - Bad Influence
Phoenix - 1901
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Date With The Night
Metric - Gimme Sympathy
The Spinto Band - Oh Mandy

Fantasies - review

After a few years of rest from relentless touring, and a few therapeutic side projects, Metric returned with Fantasies on April 14, one week ago. Emily Haines and the boys have not disappointed.

Fantasies opens with Haines hauntingly crooning "I tremble...," followed by a brilliant synth-line. So far, so good. The rest of the opening track, Help I'm Alive, is a driving internal monologue of a tune (not a surprise for Metric), repeating the almost-tangible line "my heart keeps beating like a hammer" between rousing repetitions and brittle bridges. It opens the album with a sense of internal, dialectical tension. It is an above-average Metric tune that suffices as an opening quite well (i.e. it's no "IOU" or "Empty," but I like it a lot).

The album next moves into the upbeat, yet not completely danceable, rock-laden Sick Muse, which sounds like it could be from their last album, Live It Out. It builds until Haines, almost in anguish, belts out "Everybody just wanna fall in love / Everybody just wanna play the lead." The track ends like an anthem, which leads extremely well into the third track, Satellite Mind. This track has grown on me really quickly, as it has some of the best lines on the album and is completely danceable. "I'm not suicidal, I just can't get out of bed" is a line to which I can oh-so-kindly relate. This song, with each spin, rocks more and more.

Track four, Twilight Galaxy, is your first down-tempo track, with Haines soothing you with vulnerable lines like "Did I ask you for attention when affection's what I need?" Overall, the song is delightfully simple, without pissing off the audience. It is really well-executed, and serves as a breather before the the much more intense Gold Guns Girls, which belts out "All the gold and the guns in the world couldn't get you off." This song is not exactly danceable, but serves as a frantic and useful moment- a key element that is not used nearly enough nowadays. This is especially perfect for the next track, the albums first single-worthy track.

Gimme Sympathy is a beautiful synth-pop single that sounds like something Brandon Flowers would produce if he had more talent and a vagina. It is wonderful. I recommend this track to anyone who is looking for an "in-song" for Metric, and have already had many people inquire about it at recent gigs (not to mention all the Shazam-ers).

It does not end there. The next track is my favorite on the album. It is possibly the most low-key track on the album, but easily the prettiest. Collect Call is a tutorial in matching beautiful lyrics with ambient instrumentation (considering how many instruments you hear). "Wishing you could keep me closer / I'm a lazy dancer / When you move I move with you" is one of the most memorable lines from this resonant tune.

The next track, Front Row, is distorted guitar-driven dance-rock, backed up with great lyrics and a catchy bridge. It is followed nicely by the the sad and reflective Blindness, which solidifies everything I believe about Metric: they are one of the few bands that can make you ponder endlessly, cry on queue, and do a bittersweet dance in your underwear on a bad day. "I was the one with the world at my feet... Leave it up to me."

The album closes with Stadium Love, which is perhaps the most unique Metric song to which I have ever listened. It's catchy, loud, lyrically concise, distorted, and sounds like it was recorded in its namesake. "No one's getting out without stadium love!" Emily screams.

Now for the critiques: I only have two. One, it's not as good as Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? OWUWAYN? is one of the best albums I have ever heard, and always will be, so it is not quite a fair comparison. Plus, it has penetrative advantage in my perception, solidifying the theory of the "curse of knowledge." The big knock is that I came across a track that is a B-side, titled Waves, that I believe was the best track off this session, and it was not included in the album. I have no idea why! Waves is beautiful, driving, upbeat, lyrically deep, and pop the way it should be: instrumentally and lyrically sound with a splash of infectiousness. My favorite lines off the entire album's sessions come from this tune: "Saw the water, not the waves / Saw the waves, but not the tide."

There's always something energizing and bittersweet in everything Emily Haines and company produce, and this album is no different. Despite any knocks, this album is well done. Well f*ckin' done, Metric. You rock.

Rating: Own it.
-the Majr

Lily Allen - review

Lily Allen - 9:30 Club - 4/17

Why we love Lily: she's bawdy, doesn't take herself too seriously, and she's better than Katy Perry.

Yes, the bratty Brit came to the 9:30 Club Friday evening, supported by one of SHIFT's favorite Seattle bands with the good sense to take their name from V for Vendetta.

Natalie Portman's Shaved Head and their lead tune Me + Yr Daughter weren't familiar to the crowd of often teenaged Lilyputans, but the band relentlessly rocked through their set, resembling former energetic tourmates CSS. They may have arrived strangers, but they somehow proved DC can still dance.

Then out comes Lily. Our five foot faux-cockney girl was glammed up in a cut-off Betsey Johnson dress and glitter heels. To her credit, Miss Allen is an on-point performer, and sang most of her new record frolicking through a rollicking crowd, pacing solid tune after tune, and telling enough intimate and sardonic stories between each number to get through a pack of Marlboros.

She dedicated songs to her mum, dad and men who couldn't seem to sex her right, and kept the crowd singing along to forty-five second versions of tracks from her first record, including LDN and Smile.

And as if there wasn't a better town for it, she led us in a sea of bird flipping to Fuck You, a one time kiss-off to George W. Bush that is now universally appropriate.

The crowd was with her up until the last second, even through surprises like the Kaiser Chiefs' Oh My God and her closing number, originally attempted by Britney Spears. Allen had recorded a slowed-down version of Womanizer, but neither that incarnation or the one she did with Ellen in the bathroom came out. Instead, she pulled a ferocious, full-on eat-me-Perez-Hilton curtain closer that left the crowd smiling in a sweat.

Rating: Everything's just wonderful.
-a special contribution by SHIFTmate, Joe Gizzi

because mediocrity can suck it

Own it.

Work it.

Burn it for the insurance money.

SHIFT mix#12

HHHHelluva good time

Last night's set for the HHHH fund-raiser was a booming success. The venue (Dupont Hotel) was really receptive, the organizer (Aaron Riggins) was his brilliantly professional self, and dancing actually started to happen- an apparent first in Homo Hotel Happy Hour history (is that 5H, then?). I hope everyone loved it. For those of you that are not already tuned-in, feel free to catch up with us on the SHIFTdc twitter.

last night's set-list
Peaches - More
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Zero
Dragonette - I Get Around
Natalie Portman's Shaved Head - Me + Yr Daughter
Muse - Supermassive Black Hole
Matt & Kim - Yeah Yeah [Flosstradamus Remix]
Ladytron - Ghosts (Cassette Jam Mix)
Rihanna - Breakin' Dishes
Little Boots - Love Kills (Sidechains vs Buffetlibre Remix)
Sugababes - Push the Button
Frankmusik - Better Off As Two (Justin Faust Remix)
Garbage - Temptation Waits
Kylie Minogue - Boombox (LA Riots Remix)
Heartsrevolution - Switchblade
The Ting Tings - That's Not My Name (L.A. Riots Remix)
The Black Ghosts - Repetition Kills You (RAC Remix)
The Kills - Cheap and Cheerful
Annie - Anthonio
Mariah Carey - I'll Be Lovin U Long Time (Designer Drugs Remix)
Daniel Bedingfield - James Dean (I Wanna Know)
Beck - The New Pollution
Lady Sovereign - So Human
Lily Allen - Fuck You
Goldfrapp - Twist
Scissor Sisters - Filthy/Gorgeous
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Heads Will Roll
Pay TV - Miss Capitalist
Beck - Mixed Bizness
Gwen Stefani - What Are You Waiting For
The Killers - Somebody Told Me
Nine Inch Nails - The Beginning of the End (Ladytron Remix)
Metric - Dead Disco
Kylie Minogue - Red Blooded Woman (Whitey Mix)
La Roux - Quicksand (Beni's Sinking At 1.56 Mix)
Nelly Furtado - Maneater
The Presets - Talk Like That
Pink - Oh My God (Feat Peaches)
The Bravery - Honest Mistake
Fatboy Slim - Because We Can
Frankmusik - In Step
Phoenix - Too Young
Kelly Clarkson - Gone
Cut Copy - Out There On the Ice
Freezepop - Frontload (Designer Drugs Remix)
Milke - Love Get Out of My Way
Britney Spears - Do Somethin'
The Veronicas - Untouched (Designer Drugs Remix)
ElectroVamp - Drinks Taste Better When They're Free
Peaches - Fuck the pain away
She Wants Revenge - I Don't Want to Fall In Love
Shiny Toy Guns - Major Tom
Metric - Gimme Sympathy
Bjork - It's Oh So Quiet

the Majr - dj gig tonight @ dupont hotel

Tonight I (the Majr) will be playing at Homo Hotel Happy Hour (4H), a GLBT-based non-profit fund-raising organization that shifts venues every month. This month's edition is at the newly renovated Dupont Hotel (formerly Jury's). My set will run from 7:15-9:00 p.m., with an opener from DJ Tommy Cornelis. It should be a hoot.

SHIFT identifies itself with all orientations, genders, blah blah etc., so it is a blast to help out a community organization of any kind. Even if the sound is not quite loud enough to rock out to your optimum, we hope you come out and enjoy hearing some great tunes and helping out a great cause.

This month's "4H" event supports Whitman-Walker Clinic’s Gay Men's Peer Counseling program. As Whitman-Walker is the leading clinic in the metropolitan area for AIDS research and treatment, and D.C. having the highest percentage of HIV-infected residents... this is a big deal. So, if nothing else, come support something real... ok, that's enough of that. I swear I won't start yapping about feline AIDS being the leading killer of domestic tabbies or my fertility issues next.

Come visit, say hi, and keep dinkin' and drancin'.
-the Majr

phoenix on the fly

~*NEWSFLASH*~

Phoenix, one of the most influential dance-rock bands since their 1996 formation, is coming to the humble, yet stellar, venue of Rock & Roll Hotel. Announced today, the french quartet (Thomas Mars, Deck D'Arcy, Christian Mazzalai and Laurent Brancowitz) are playing Sunday June 21, and have lined up special guest Amazing Baby, of Brooklyn.

Phoenix first got my attention when their song Too Young was used in a party scene in 2003's fabulous film Lost in Translation. Since then, I have become an admirer of their ability to infuse clear, intelligent lyrics with danceable, electro-infused rock. Two weeks ago, on Saturday Night Live, they performed two excellent songs (that I have played at SHIFT) from their teaser EP, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. If Lisztomania and 1901 are any clue, their upcoming full-length (of the same title) is going to be brilliant.

Tickets go on sale Friday April 17, that is THIS FRIDAY, at 10:00 a.m.

The LP of Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix drops (U.S.) May 26, 2009. Get it, and check out their website(free download of 1901 on there). These boys have come a long way from being the backing band for AIR, so let's strap one on and dance our faces off.

Hoo-effin'-ray!
-the Majr

Ra Ra Riot - review

Ra Ra Riot has talent. I had a chance to see them last weekend at Webster Hall, in NYC, in what was the largest audience of their young careers. They hit the stage with rockstars in their eyes and had a hell of a time expelling their energy to the masses.

Ra Ra Riot played a short set (not as short as the dreadfully brief Ting Tings), including three of my favorite tracks from their debut LP, The Rhumb Line. Those tracks included Ghost Under Rocks, Winter 'O5, and the delightfully bittersweet and upbeat Dying is Fine.

The latter was one of my favorite tracks of 2008, and brought the entire event together for me. Without it, I would have had to play an episode of Family Guy in my head.

The band was well-rehearsed and crafted, while catering to a rhythm-less white kid audience. Unfortunately, within the crowd, there always has to be one Fratbag who tries to ruin everyone else's experience with his overzealous woohooing and exploitation of the one departure from his Puddle of Mudd-dominated playlist.

Ra Ra Riot is a band with endless potential. I hope.
Rating: slightly above 'just ok'
-the Majr

couldn't understand a word

I'm gettin' down with the awkward moments.

SHIFT mix#11

Fatties.

The Presets - review

The Presets. NYC. Amazing.

The Presets played Webster Hall this past Friday, and I had the honor of being there. While seeing them for the fourth time, I expected it to be enjoyable, no doubt. What I did not expect was the energy and force with which they blew me away. Their execution was right on, they felt the crowd in every song, and the set-list was perfectly placed to allow me to dance my face off.

After opening with Talk Like That, they sped through a non-stop dance-fest of a set, rendering yours truly sweaty and satisfied. The pit was full of energy (I have no idea who made that happen), and they closed with their usual I Go Hard, I Go Home, which was outstanding.

I can throw out a thousand superlatives, but the photos say it all.
Rating: fanf*ckingtastic

mixtape on friday

MIXTAPE happens this Friday. What does that mean? First, you must go. Second, refer to the first point. So, get over to The Warehouse at 7th & L St. NW, DC, to see DJ's Matt Bailer and Shea Van Horn, who spin every genre and always have fun doing it.

The last DJ sound familiar? Yes, he was the same DJ Shea Van Horn who graced the SHIFT stages for March DJ guest hour. He has the SHIFT-style edge of electropop and indie rock, while Bailer bounces off him oh-so-nicely with his pop sensibilities. Soon, we hope to have a "blinky-link" (banner) for the Mixtape boys up on our site, but until then... JUST GO.

It's fun. You're doin' it.
-the Majr

knots in solitude

Songs of the Day

Sometimes a song hits all the right spots. Like a refreshing slap in the face, or that swift kick in the ass you needed to put you on the right path.

These two songs are slower than you are used to hearing about on this site, but they are just what I needed. Life often begs us to appreciate the bittersweet moments that force us to progress.

well scissor me timbers

Spicin' up the tranny parade..

SHIFT mix#10

..with Picante B.

leaking out the fantasies

~*News Flash*~ A few tracks from Metric's new album, Fantasies, have leaked.

Metric, a band that has helped define the Canadian indie rock sound, is set and ready for launch with their new record. Unfortunately there has been a leak, and I have shamelessly taken advantage of this. I apologize, I have an addiction, and the only cure is more Metric.

I have heard all but one track from the LP, and it has not only impressed me, but sounds like it is going to rival their opus, Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? The feeling here is that Metric has ultimately come to epitomize what pop is supposed to be, and probably never will be. I encourage everyone to go online and buy it when it debuts next Tuesday, April 14. I know I definitely will (I have a conscience, after all).

After an approximate week, I will officially review it. Until then, enjoy the clever and beautiful lyricism of Miss Emily Haines, as well as the unique sound that is innately, undeniably Metric.
-the Majr

It's Blitz - review

Some bands suck at reinventing their sound. Some completely blow at attempting anything electronic, or increasing the synthetic influence of their style. Some bands' lyricists cannot write to save their lives. Thankfully, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs are not one of those bands.

I have purposely taken the time to write this review, as an album that debuts so favorably in my ear must be given ample time to f**k it all up after saturation. Though I am not as giddy as I was when I first heard It's Blitz, I can still say that the album is one of the best I have heard in the past year.

In all the good ways it can be defined, this album is "glossy." It is polished and controlled in a way that does not lose vocalist Karen O's chaos, while also enhancing their point through intense synths, dance-ability, and sobering lyrics. There are moments that make me want to dance for days, like in the first two tracks, Zero and Heads Will Roll, and others that capture the purity of deliberate, honest lyricism, like Hysteric.

Zero, in particular, is worth noting, as it opens the album and immediately sounds different than anything the band had produced before. All those background synths that never seemed to be anything more than supporting sounds, now announced a welcomed renaissance in the band's existence. The album can be slapped with one criticism, being that it does not come full circle, it rather starts powerfully and ends calmly. In other words, it flattens out a bit. With all that said, its most powerful track is Hysteric, a soothing and personal account of sudden affection and emotional sobriety that screams of all things wonderfully subtle.

All in all, It's Blitz is an accomplishment. It is glossy, glam-y, impassioned, dynamic, vulnerable and bold. It is exactly what one should ever want at this point in a band's career, and it is one of the top three albums I have heard in the last year.

Rating: Own it.
-the Majr

go on, take everything

This weekend I went to The Hose in the East Village, NYC. This is a bar that you basically cannot find unless you know where it is, apparently, but it was well worth the search (on Avenue B, between 13th and 14th). Alas, after finding the very subtle entrance, I escaped for a couple hours into non-suck land, which was fantastic.

It was "Nirvana Night," and I danced like an idiot to songs like The Vines' Fuck the World, Hole's Violet, and Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit and Smashing Pumpkins' Bullet with Butterfly Wings. "Back in the day," as they say, I was a huge fan of the early '90's grunge scene, and the bands it influenced. In producing this evening, The Hole allowed me to stumble and dance down amnesia lane. Oddly enough, the highlight was hearing Violet, as Hole's Live Through This is one of my favorite albums, ever. R.I.P. Cobain (and Love's talent).

It was heavenly. I hope to go back as soon as possible. The atmosphere, staff and prices were as good as the music, and it provided a nice escape from the boring-as-hell typical bar scene.

Rating: Hit The Hole as soon as you can. You know you want to.
-the Majr

homo/sonic tomorrow night

Big ups to everyone over at The New Gay for supporting SHIFT! Tomorrow night Zack & Mike put on their dancing shoes and DJ their monthly dance party at the Black Cat, Homo/Sonic. It's a great party in a great space and they spin a lot of fun, danceable indie/80's/whatever-pops-into-their-heads tunes - everyone should definitely check it out!

Homo/Sonic: An alternative co-ed dance party for queer folks and their friends.

Black Cat Mainstage, Saturday April 4, 9:30 PM, All ages, $10

1811 14th Street, NW (14th just above S St.).
-Lt. Lush

can feel it in my bones

Because sitting, standing, or walking never solved anything...


SHIFT mix#9

...we dance.

set-list (duplex 04/01/09)

Thank you to everyone who came out last night to Duplex Diner for my Majrly non-Gaga DJ set. It was really fun, and the music was great. Special thanks to Eric, the venue owner, who was wonderfully warm and hospitable. Aaron Riggins, once again, was great to work with. The ANTI-Gaga set was stupendous, and we look forward to more SHIFT gigs throughout the District.

my set list
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Zero
Ladytron - International Dateline
Metric - Waves
Matt & Kim - Yeah Yeah [Flosstradamus Remix]
Lykke Li - Little Bit (CSS Remix)
Van She - Kelly
Sneaky Sound System - I Love It
Sugababes - Push the Button
Little Boots - Love Kills (Sidechains vs Buffetlibre Remix)
Fischerspooner - Danse en France (D.I.M. Remix)
Vampire Weekend - The Kids Don't Stand a Chance (Chromeo Remix)
Pharrell Williams feat. Santogold - My Drive Thru
Frankmusik - Better Off As Two (Justin Faust Remix)
Garbage - Temptation Waits
The Ting Tings - That's Not My Name (L.A. Riots Remix)
Calvin Harris - The Girls
Dragonette - The Boys
Basement Jaxx - Hey U
We Are Scientists - Chick Lit (Danger TV Remix)
Kylie Minogue - Come Into My World (Fischerspooner Mix)
White Lies - To Lose My Life (Filthy Dukes Remix)
The Veronicas - Untouched (Designer Drugs Remix)
S'Express - Stupid Little Girls
Mariah Carey - I'll Be Lovin U Long Time (Designer Drugs Remix)
Goldfrapp - Twist
Eskimo Disco - Japanese Girl
Placebo - Every You Every Me
Pay TV - Miss Capitalist
The Rapture - Whoo! Alright-Yeah...Uh Huh
Garbage - Enough Is Never Enough
Gwen Stefani - What Are You Waiting For
Le Tigre - On The Verge
Pink - Oh My God (feat. Peaches)
Metric - Gimme Sympathy
Phoenix - 1901
MGMT - Electric Feel (Justice Remix)
Frankmusik - Gotta Boyfriend
Beck - The New Pollution
Peaches - AA XXX
Ra Ra Riot - Dying Is Fine
Bloc Party - Two More Years [MSTRKRFT Remix]
Garbage - Hammering In My Head
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Heads Will Roll
Björk - It's Oh So Quiet

-the Majr

spring show-tacular '09 (april)

Wednesday April 1 - The Presets - 9:30 Club
Easily the best two piece I have ever seen returns to 9:30 club, but for the first time as a headliner. I have seen The Presets thrice, and they always put on an amazing show. Once almost three years ago at Rock-N-Roll Hotel, again when they nearly upstaged The Rapture in 2007, and again when opening for (and destroying) Cut Copy last year. This Australian band is the epitome of danceable electro, and they not only know how to put on a good show, but they repeatedly deliver. I love them so much that I am going to NYC to see them at Webster Hall, as I have a DJ set at Duplex Diner that conflicts. GO SEE THEM! They are brilliant.

Saturday April 4 - Mates of State - 9:30 Club
Though I will not be able to see Mates of State, I am so glad that they still are making beautifully melodic music. Their latest, Rearrange Us, was one of the best albums of 2009, and they picked a decent opener, in Black Kids. I look forward to seeing them soon, and really hope they are able to spread their great sound to as many cities as possible.

Wednesday April 8 - Death Cab for Cutie / Ra Ra Riot - D.A.R.
I do not like D.A.R. Constitution Hall, at all. I think it is awful, and I refuse to see anything else musical there after seeing Death Cab there two Decembers ago. It is an awful space. That being said, Death Cab for Cutie is the kind of band that revels no matter where they play, and they picked up one of my favorite new bands, Ra Ra Riot as an opener. I, instead of gracing the awful steps of D.A.R., will see Ra Ra Riot on Saturday in their own headlining show at Webster Hall, in NYC. If you do not have it, please go get their debut LP, The Rhumb Line.

Tuesday April 14 - The Faint / Ladytron - 9:30 Club
The Faint are the second best live act I have ever seen. They repeatedly deliver. Only Radiohead has put on a better performance, in my eyes, and I would tell anyone to go see them. Ladytron is okay live, with most songs borderline underwhelming, while others are wonderfully polished (see: Soft Power). The concert will be much more of a contrast than people expect, with Ladytron often low-key live. Still, this is the best one-two punch on the road right now. Try not to cut yourself.

Friday April 17 - Lily Allen / Natalie Portman's Shaved Head - 9:30 Club
Lily Allen is a wonderfully mouthy Brit, with a lovely sense of propriety. Bless her heart. She picked up Natalie Portman's Shaved Head as an opener for her tour, a band that put out one of my favorite songs of the last year, Me + Yr Daughter. This show sold out faster than Lady Gaga ditched DC. My favorite moment, if I was actually able to see this show, would have to be screaming the lyrics to F**k You, by Lily Allen. It brings warmth to my soul.