Tonight: Franz Ferdinand - review

On January 28, 2009, Franz Ferdinand returned with an album that turns down the BPMs, as well as the lights, and adds a sultry swagger to the aggressive and clever dance-punk genre that they helped expand. In the early 00's, Franz Ferdinand gloriously debuted with Franz Ferdinand, which was incredibly well received with hits like "Take Me Out," and "Dark of the Matinee." This also helped open the door for bands that immediately followed (or concurrently had less talent), like The Futureheads, Kaiser Chiefs, The Rakes, and The Cribs.

After an obviously rushed follow-up album, You Could Have It So Much Better (that was still quality), Franz took some time off to produce their latest. Tonight: Franz Ferdinand shows the band taking everything down a notch, yet still making you want to shake your ass. Beginning with a brilliant three-song run of sexy braggadocio, the album maintains and reinforces constantly, with another stellar four-song set toward the end. It is rare that a band has seven excellent songs on one LP, but nothing Franz Ferdinand has ever done has been ordinary.

After nearly two years of genre-mates producing horrid follow-ups, I am happy to have the boys back. Best Tracks: "Turn It On", "Ulysses", "Bite Hard", "Can't Stop Feeling" & "Live Alone"

Rating: Own it.

*Since they are not yet coming to DC, click here to get tickets to their NYC show*

What do you think?

-the Majr

favs of '08

As it is still early in 2009, I would like to reflect upon my favorite music of 2008.

My favorite 10 albums of 2008
(complete with links and doodads)

10. ...Earth to The Dandy Warhols, The Dandy Warhols
They had a new album? Yes, they did, and it is vintage DH: ambient, sarcastic, politically relevant, and well produced. It was released on their website only, for quite some time, but was genuinely enjoyable. The only knock is its vintage appeal (after 15 years), which can often border redundancy.
Best Tracks: "And Then I Dreamt of Yes", "Mis Amigos" & "Mission Control"

9. Re-Arrange Us, Mates of State
For the second album in a row, MoS has earned its niche in my D.I.D.-esque listening moods. This album has few flaws, and I recommend it for anyone with indie roots and pop sensibilities.
Best Tracks: "Get Better" & "Now"

8. You Have No Idea What You're Getting Yourself Into, Does It Offend You, Yeah?
After producing some really great remixes, DIOYY put out a fantastically aggressive electro-dance album. After seeing them at dc9, I am still in awe of how well polished and delightfully dirty they are.
Best Tracks: "Let's Make Out", "We Are Rockstars" & "With a Heavy Heart (I Regret to Inform You)"

7. In Ghost Colours, Cut Copy
The CTRL-X boys came back in the right way, producing an album that had me dancing most of the year, despite being played out the wazoo by every major DJ looking to crowd-please.
Best Tracks: "Hearts on Fire", "Lights & Music", & "Unforgettable Season"

6. Santogold, Santogold
So, a girl in Brooklyn produces an album that screams of influences from nearly every style of popular music, and becomes an underground sensation. Santogold was quickly discovered and yanked by Coldplay to open, and she did not disappoint, despite the huge task. "I hope it will be worth what I give up," she sings in L.E.S. Artistes. It definitely was, and is.
Best Tracks: "L.E.S. Artistes", "Say Aha" & "You'll Find a Way"

5. Modern Guilt, Beck
Modern Guilt not only provided die-hard Beck fans some new meat, but proved that Beck is still one of those artists whose albums progressively show their depth with every spin. This album comes off as "just ok" in the beginning, but quickly reveals its brilliance.
Best Tracks: "Profanity Prayers", "Youthless", & "Gamma Ray"

4. The Rhumb Line, Ra Ra Riot
Debut of the year easily goes to Ra Ra Riot's The Rhumb Line. Perhaps the most exciting aspect of this album is that it resonates a great deal of promise in a young band, making one salivate at hearing a follow-up.
Best Tracks: "Dying Is Fine" & "Winter 'o5"

3. Way to Normal, Ben Folds
Perhaps the most overlooked album of the year was the triumphant comeback of Ben Folds. After trying to play Leonard Cohen on piano for a few records, Folds regained his balls (and his amp) and made the best piano rock album I have heard since, well, Rockin' the Suburbs.
Best Tracks: "Dr. Yang", "You Don't Know Me (feat. Regina Spektor)" & "Cologne"

2. Apocalypso, The Presets
The best dance album of the year belonged to a 2-piece band that has rocked me hard since their debut album, Beams. The Presets returned with a sensationally shellacked sound, while also gaining some pugnacity. The result was an album that begins as overtly electro, delves into industrial samples, and bridges the gap between modern electronica and 80's new wave.
Best Tracks: "Kicking and Screaming", "My People" & "Talk Like That"

1. Keep Your Eyes Ahead, The Helio Sequence
In early 2008, Sub-Pop records released an album to very little fanfare by a 2-piece band that has been around for 10 years, The Helio Sequence. Their fourth LP, Keep Your Eyes Ahead, is the complete album (including beautiful artwork). It is a 10-track tour-de-force of nothing but quality. In a time when I doubted that bands could still make perfect, succinct, polished records- I was proven wrong. There are obvious inspirations of Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, u2, Wolf Parade, Fleet Foxes, The New Pornographers, and Rogue Wave- all wrapped into a 10-song opus. True, it is no (2008's top two) Boxer (The National) or In Rainbows (Radiohead), but it is very close behind. Best Tracks: "Lately", "Keep Your Eyes Ahead" & "Shed Your Love"

My Favorite 10 Singles of 2008
10. "Out at the Pictures" - Hot Chip
9. "Talking Bird" - Death Cab for Cutie
8. "Quiet Times" - Dido
7. "Talk Like That" - The Presets
6. "Dr. Yang" - Ben Folds
5. "Kids" - MGMT
4. "L.E.S. Artistes" - Santogold
3. "Dying Is Fine" - Ra Ra Riot
2. "Ion Square" - Bloc Party
1. "Keep Your Eyes Ahead" - The Helio Sequence

Favorite Music Video
"Talk Like That" - The Presets

Favorite Pop Song
"Breakin' Dishes" - Rihanna
(with Dance Interp. by Tubs McSass & the Bitches)

Favorite Live Show
Radiohead, Nissan Pavilion, May 11
We were freezing and soaking wet. For 2.5 hours and 25 songs, Radiohead made it all go away.

Favorite Live Song
"Fake Plastic Trees" - Radiohead

Don't worry- Coldplay, TV on the Radio, and Fleet Foxes are honorable mentions for those of you who read the magazine lists.

What are your favorites?

-the Majr

salutations

SHIFT is a mutiny on the monotony.

(IT'S ABOUT) THE MUSIC

I will be throwing down a mix of electro, indie rock, quality pop, nasty new wave, and anything that is worthy of an ass-shakin' dance floor. After years of discontent with gay clubs that drown themselves in stale, processed pop and straight bars that forget the dance beat, I decided to create this night for anyone and everyone who wants an alternative alternative in the neighborhood. Some of the Music you may hear.

WELCOME

Hello, and welcome to our home.

I would like to be the first to usher you onto our humble dance-floor digs through this accompanying blog that will comment on quality new music.

Since the idea of this party was created in the summer of 2008, a great deal of excitement has surrounded it. After many months of stumbling blocks, and teaming up with a partner (B), we launch SHIFT, the District of Columbia's newest dance-fest on Saturday February 28th, 2009.

(CHANGE ACTUALLY IS HERE) THE VENUE

Cobalt, an iconic gay bar for years, underwent a major face-lift. After remodeling the entire building (along with its policies and staff), and hiring a new operations manager, we felt that the bar's new and welcoming vibe fit ours, and now we are officially a 'go.' The cover is 1/2 of everywhere else on a Saturday, and the drink specials will kick ass.

Just in time for the weather to change and the bitter cold to be put to rest, we invite everyone (gay, straight, lesbian, hipster, toaster, hamster) to shimmy their asses for Spring on February 28th (Sat.), upstairs at Cobalt.

Look at all the good we do.

-the Majr