Hopkins' Octopodes covers Chester French's "She Loves Everybody"

Man oh man. Never did I expect Johns Hopkins' very own blue and black a capella Octopodes to cover Chester French! And to get recognition from CF themselves! I'm not the most school spirited person, but they sound damn tight and I couldn't be prouder. Check them rocking out on the quad, but for the better sound quality version, see their Fall 2009 concert performance.



As a side note, Serena recently brought up the fact that Chester French performed at the Sonar Lounge during finals period this past spring. I didn't want to go because I had a Modern Physics final to study for. And they were opening for an unknown pop artist who I didn't care much for named...Lady Gaga. Lady Gaga is now my #12 most listened to artist on last.fm and I probably got the same grade in Modern Physics regardless if I studied or not. Missing that concert is one of my biggest regrets of the decade.

Rooney on a Related Note

So, if you haven't got enough Robert Schwartzman, check out his other project, Solobob. His first video, The Victim, directed by cousin Roman Coppola below. Dig it? Here's the free mp3, via solobob.com--happy respective holidays!

Rooney at Sonar Lounge (12/12/09)

Speaking from experience, whenever planning to see an adorable straggly-haired boy band, expect pre-pubescent tweens to line up by the hoard, with their parents in tow by the bar. Example--Rooney, a fab-five band from surfing California, whose biggest musical influence is probably their resident state. Attracting squeaky-voiced girls and boys (or were they girls?) alike, Rooney is probably as poppy sounding as I'm willing to admit as good music. Oh, and they're for real good but just suffer from an insufferably young audience and fan base.

Rooney's concert was at The Sonar Club, which completes my tour of hipster venues around the Baltimore/D.C. metropolitan area. It's about as big as the Black Cat, short stage with a one-story room and bar in the back. I personally liked Ram's Head better, which is where they played in June 2008, but neither is a 930 Club. The room was about half-full, which is really unfortunate because Rooney is a quality band. Instead of being filled with the usual 75% twenty-something college hipsters, the audience was probably 90% girls and of that, 90% under the age of 18.

The first opener was the Crash Kings, who were pretty legit. I've never heard of them, but their music is a little darker, edgier and certainly not as young and poppy. I thought they had real potential as a debuting band, with a groove to the music. Interestingly enough, instead of a guitarist, the lead singer played a piano that he could make vibrate. It was really odd--I can only compare it to a Guitar Hero guitar, the thing used to produce vibrato on the guitar when holding out long notes. The second opener was Tally Hall, who was more popular than I expected. I've never heard of them before, so when they came out in their matching vests and mustaches, I thought it was a bad case of coordinating roadies. But, oddly enough, they actually tuned and set up, checked up their own instruments. Removing the mustaches and donning multicolored skinny ties, they played their medieval/Beatles/rap music. They were quite psychedelic, actually, combining four voiced harmonies, with beat boxing and ethnic spoken word. The crowd actually knew them quite well and even asked for an encore...for an opener! And, as nonchalantly as they came out, they pasted on their mustaches again to take away their instruments and get ready for Rooney.

Rooney looked as adorable as always, especially the lead singer, Robert Schwartzman. They've always had a good rapport as a band and they really jived. My favorites of the night were "Stay Away," "Losing All Control," and "When Did Your Heart Go Missing," which they saved for last. The crowd was not very energetic and rather quiet throughout the entire concert. Rooney also performed some songs off their newest EP, The Wild One. I also quite enjoyed their rendition of "Rocking in the Free World" by Neil Young, for which the band did an entire instrument switch. The keyboardist played guitar, the drummer sang lead, and Robert Schwartzman played the drums. It's nice to see a band so versatile. During the concert, the band members were talking to each other. Sometimes it had to with the performance, but other times they were just holding a conversation on stage. Regardless, looked like both the band and the crowd was having fun, with the exception of the bassist, who never showed any emotion. For me, nothing will compare with seeing Rooney for the first time but the second time was pretty darn good as well. I think the band has matured from the sound of their stuff from the new EP, which will hopefully serve to please some older audiences. With four more years to thirty, they can't be adhering to screaming fifteen-year-olds forever.

Overall, it was a great concert. I enjoyed it very much and so did Juhee, who hopefully will write a very long and thorough review of the concert herself. Now I must go rewatch The Princess Diaries and giggle like a fangirl anytime Robert Schwartzman is on screen. As a side note, while waiting outside to get in, we saw Robert Schwartzman discreetly get into a Toyota Highlander (parked in a no stopping zone) with four girls, which is really odd because they didn't tour with any girl band members. Well, let's see if he explains that in his video diaries.

Also, I have made it my personal goal to find someone to see Sondre Lerche in Birmingham, AL, with me. If Sondre Lerche is going to the dirty south, I have to make an effort to see him.

SET LIST

1. Blueside
2. If It Were Up to Me
3. Don't Come Around Again
4. Stay Away
5. Wild One
6. Are You Afraid
7. Terrible Person
8. Losing All Control
9. Suckceed
10. Daisy Duke
11. Pop Stars
12. Paralyzed
13. Rocking in the Free World
14. Sorry Sorry
15. I Should Have Been After You
    
16. When Did Your Heart Go Missing?
    
17. I'm Shakin'

*P.S. The picture is from Rooney at Rams Head Live! about a year and a half ago. My camera died during the concert and I forgot my phone in the lab that weekend (the day that my badge expired), so there's that.

Peter Bjorn and John at 930 Club (11/7/09)

Honestly, I did not have high expectations for the PB&J concert for the following reasons:
(1) I only listened to one album, Writer's Block, prior to buying the ticket.
(2) After I bought the latest album, Living Thing, I was mildly disappointed.

I expected Living Thing to be another Writer's Block, sincerely playful and fun and producing carefree and lovable hits such as "Young Folks," whistled by every person that knows how to whistle--but it was not. There are songs I liked, such as "It Don't Move Me" and "Nothing to Worry About," but other than that, this album was contrived and really difficult to listen to. So, going into the concert, I was already disappointed, and I hadn't even driven my in-total four hours to get there.

To kill the suspense, I actually quite liked it. Their opener was El Perro Del Mar with lead singer, Sarah Assbring (quite possibly the best Swedish surname of the century). I had her one album, the self-titled one, but it was not very easy to listen to, so much so that it ended up in the "skip while shuffling" library. But, I was very pleasantly surprised. Her new album, Love is Not Pop, is quite good and her performance live was even better. I liked "Change of Heart" and even "I Can't Talk About It," which was pretty unrecognizable live. As a side note, I thought Sarah Assbring's dancing was right on par--can't go wrong with an old school cabbage-patch, running-man mix.

Then, after waiting 2.5 hours after doors, the PB&J trio sprung on stage. Starting with "Amsterdam," one of my favorite songs, they began an energetic set, mostly with songs from the new album. One aspect I really like about this band is that every member sings lead. "Amsterdam's" low bass was provided by Bjorn and if I hadn't know any better--I didn't--I would have interpreted him as the lead singer, which of course would be Peter. In the song, "I Want You!," the drummer, whose name is John if you hadn't caught on, sang a vulnerable tune with a slight Swedish accent. Peter, of course, is the designated lead and he had the charisma to match, asking the audience to amuse themselves by singing a vaguely-addressed "Happy Birthday" or to laugh off the time when he forgot the words to "Paris 2004." We happily obliged. The band performed all my favorite songs including the rhythmic "It Don't Move Me," my favorite from the new album. Also a stand-out was "I Want You!" which is growing fast on me as a catchy song with an even catchier guitar riff. However, the best performance was "Paris 2004," a request from an audience member which started off their encore. It was very tender and sweet, starting with only Peter on the guitar, half improving the chords and lyrics, then asking the other two to join along. However, I did not enjoy the "Needles and Pins" complete with a big band, which was pretty cool, but lacked any sort of coherence within the song. Also, the flashy strobe light sequence was mad and someone in the balcony actually fainted during the song. Peter had started off saying that they have never performed this song in America and perhaps it should stay that way.

Overall, PB&J was a pretty good concert. I wasn't sold at the beginning but they had sold it by the end. Their energy was infectious and the crowd was mosh-ready. By the way, I found my favorite hang out spot at the 930 Club. Instead of having to stand for hours waiting and waiting for the band, Serena and I chose to watch from the left balcony at the spot closest to the stage. There, we watched afar as the crowd of eager fans jumped and smashed into each other with excitement. Hey, I was excited too, but not energetic enough to be bopping around. Regardless, at that spot, we were able to feel the energy but were removed from it enough to not tire ourselves out. It's a pretty chill spot and the best seat (because everywhere else is standing room) at the venue.

This may be one of the last good concerts I see. Starting mid-January, I'm moving to Huntsville, AL, which contains nothing there I want except for a NASA center. So, this may be the end of live concert reviews for a while. At least there's still Rooney on 12/12.

New Album: Kings of Convenience - Declaration of Dependence

Something is in the water in Bergen, Norway, because how else could an average sized, picturesque Scandinavian town prolifically produce musician after musician? Case in point--Sondre Lerche, Annie, Edvard Grieg (!!!), and Erlend Øye and Eirik Glambek Bøe, aka Kings of Convenience. After a five year hiatus, and rumored breakup, they're back with a beautifully written, performed, and produced album.

This album is just absolute art--simple and delicate guitar paired with soft, flowing melodies. It's not an album to listen for a pump of energy nor for ambient noise. Sit down, relax, think and listen to this album. That is the respect it deserves. Declaration of Dependence is really that good.

This album is full of gems, so full that there's no distinguishing between semi- and full-on precious. I'm only going to write about my very, very, absolute favorites, partially because I'm tired after work and partially because I liked every one of them. The others you can see for yourself.

Kings of Convenience - Declaration of Dependence

1. 24-25

2. Mrs. Cold
This song is one of my favorites from the album. Listen to the guitar line and it's playful. Listen to the lyrics and it's melancholy. I really like it because the lyrics are so straight to the point. "Okay I get it/Okay I see/You'd feel vulnerable around me." That is all you'd ever need to know.

3. Me In You

4. Boat Behind
The beat sounds like the bopping of a canoe down a limpid stream, calm and unbothered, and very carefree. Again, an understated jewel of a song.

5. Rule My World

6. My Ship Isn't Pretty

7. Renegade

8. Power of Not Knowing

9. Peacetime Resistance

10. Freedom And its Owner

11. Riot On An Empty Street

12. Second to Numb

13. Scars on Land

Andrew Bird at 930 Club (10/28/09)

Reaping the benefits of making money along with no school work, I've been able to go to more concerts this year without worrying about the consequences later. And, not only have I been able see people I love (i.e. Sondre!) but also people I like, a la Andrew Bird. Even if you were to ask me even now if Andrew Bird listed in my top five fave artists, I would most likely say, "No." Other than a few select songs, "Core and Rind" in particular, I haven't paid too much attention to the pretty solid collection of his songs on in my library. But, I heard he put on a good show so I went.

His opener, St. Vincent was very good, albeit a little strobe-light, stroke-inducing happy. Annie Clark, the front-woman, has a beautiful voice and is very talented. St. Vincent was a great opener for Andrew Bird, also specializing in music using clarinets, flutes, saxophones, etc. All the while, Andrew Bird was standing in the stage box watching.

Boy was Andrew Bird's performance entertaining, from sock monkeys, to dancing roadies, and even stage props that featured the Doppler effect. His charisma and showmanship really sold the show. And, I loved the fact he played a mean fiddle, classically of course. I was impressed how he, just like Sondre, condensed intricate orchestral arrangements into a four (or in Sondre's case, one) person band. He also had such a swag up on stage. My personal favorites of the night were "Headsoak," because my favorite A Bird album is The Swimming Hour, and "Scynthian Empires" with the entire St. Vincent band.

However--this has absolutely nothing to do with Andrew's performance--I was not as connected to this show as I have been at others. And, I know it was not because of his performance because my roommates were all pretty giddy after the show. Maybe it's because I did not know his music as well, as in, I did not know every word to every song, sometimes not even the title of the song. Perhaps I would have enjoyed it more if I had been a life-long listener of Andrew Bird, rather than trying to learn his entire repertoire in two weeks.

SET LIST

1. Why?
2. Masterswarm
3. Opposite Day
4. A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left
5. Fitz and the Dizzyspells
6. Headsoak
7. On Ho!
8. Oh No
9. Effigy
10. Anonanimal
11. You Woke Me Up!
12. Imitosis
13. Cataracts
14. Lusitania w/ Annie Clark
15. Scythian Empires w/ St. Vincent
16. Tables and Chairs

ENCORE

1. Oh Sister
2. Prayer of Death
3. I'm Going Home
4. Don't Be Scared
5. Fake Palindromes

Overall though, he was a great act and the show was well performed. Next up is Peter Bjorn and John (11/7) and Rooney, the second time around (12/12).

Musical Wishes for the 21st

My birthday, or the biggest celebration in the last twenty-one years, is approaching and instead of buying me alcohol, I'm requesting something less expensive and more useful--music. Here is a list of albums I would like to poach from those willing to be poached:

Peter Bjorn & John - I am seeing them in November and I realized I have only 1/5 of their stuff.

• Peter Bjorn and John
• Falling Out
• Seaside Rock
• Living Thing

Wilco

• Being There (Discs 1 & 2)
• Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

Phoenix - Don't even get me started about how mad I am that they canceled their D.C. show, that would have been on my birthday.

• United

Ben Folds

• Way to Normal

--I will gladly accept any album/song you have of these following artists. Compliments to Brittany Kemp, my music guru.--

• Hard-Fi
• Calvin Harris
• Duffy
• Emiliana Torrini
  

--and now for the guilty pleasures--

Kanye West - Whatever. I don't even like Taylor Swift.

• 808s and Heartbreaks

Britney Spears - I only like one song, "Unusual You," and it happens to be worth getting all the shit that comes along with it.

• Circus

Jay-Z

• The Blueprint 3

If you are willing to share music, send it on over. Regardless, enjoy the 27th as if it were your own 21st birthday.

New Album: Sondre Lerche - Heartbeat Radio

I've been waiting so long for Sondre to put out a new album--about three years, just like the rest of the world. It's well worth the wait. At first, I was just repeated listening to the songs because I was trying to study up for the upcoming concert. This album is definitely his best ever. The flow is wonderful and the string arrangements heavenly. I'm glad he's hung up the electric guitar for a bit to focus on his roots.

It's also very hard to write objectively about an album that you can't stop listening to because all the songs, right now, are "the best EVER." So I'm going to write about those which I think will be my favorites for the long run.

Sondre Lerche - Heartbeat Radio

1. Good Luck

2. Heartbeat Radio
When I listened to this song, I just knew that this album was going to be spectacular. It's very head-boppy and has such a warm feeling with the string instrumentals. His point about the radio is so true though--whenever you want to find that one song, it's never there.

3. I Cannot Let You Go
This is my favorite song of the album and gets the entire thing flowing. The slow "a cappella" guitar transitioning into the keyboard and drum section in the beginning is divine. I love the tempo, I love the beats. I also love the accentuated "let you go" with the voice/piano/computer. Overall, it's the best song of the bunch.

4. Like Lazenby

5. If Only
Really cute. At the concert, Sondre said that this is about childhood dreams, to achieve some and to give up the others. How fitting--I'm living mine at the moment. I love the mix of the syncopated beats with the soft acoustic guitar and I'm such a sucker for a good beat.

6. Pioneer

7. Easy To Persuade

8. Words & Music

9. I Guess It's Gonna Rain Today
This song is about Bergen, Norway, and its rainy weather (400 days out of the week, as Sondre said), but it might as well been about Baltimore. The music is raw and the melody is simple. It's very poignant and you can't help but to listen to this on repeat, sipping a cup of tea, watching the weekly torrential downpour of Maryland.

10. Almighty Moon
The end of the album always has good songs. "Almighty Moon" is probably an overlooked solid song. And I like the text painting with the "running around" lyric.

11. Don't Look Now
I like this song because it's bouncy, and you know how much I love that bounce.

12. Goodnight

And as an extra boost of Sondre Lerche, here's an interview of him talking about his album and songs, courtesy of NPR--so cute! Go out and buy this album. Even better, go out and see him live. It is worth the investment.

Sondre Lerche at the 930 Club (9/11/09)

Sondre has proven again why he's the best to see live. His concert on 9/11 was perfect for his new album--low key and homey, with only his vocals, electric and acoustic guitar, and a few spare guitar strings. I was so surprised that it was a solo act since most of his new songs included an entire string orchestra providing the background. But, he made it work. In fact, he made it even better. I'm still reeling from girlish giddy-ness because of how adorable he is, on stage and off. I got a signature and an awkwardly posed picture to go down in the record books. Two bucks more and I would have sprung for that vinyl.

I loved "If Only," one of my favorite songs of the new album, which he said was about achieving some dreams and forgetting others. "I Guess It's Gonna Rain Today" was very sweet and poignant. I liked it on the album but I love it now that he performed it. Others from his new album were "Heartbeat Radio," "Like Lazenby," "Pioneers" (which I always thought was a throwaway song), "Easy to Persuade," and "Words and Music" (a little sappy for my taste). I wish he had performed "I Cannot Let You Go" because that a standout in my mind. Out of his other songs, his rendition of "Sleep on Needles" was most surprising. I had never paid too much attention to that song but he really ramped up the energy and the guitar strumming. He also performed (in his words) an epic version of "Two Way Monologue" and "My Hands are Shaking," which he broke a guitar string for both songs. He mostly stayed away from Phantom Punch, only playing a toned down version of "Say It All." As an encore, he sang "Modern Nature," arguably my favorite song of his to see live because he duets with the audience.

He was only on stage for roughly and hour and the time flew by so quickly. But, he was absolutely fabulous on the guitar. Back in 2007, he had his bandmates with him and I had no idea he was that good. It was so amazing to see how songs produced with six or seven instruments can be recreated using only one, and sometimes with a guitar string hanging off during the big solo. Compared to his 2007 concert, I definitely enjoyed the newer one better. However, during his older concert, I felt more connected to him during the concert. This could have been because Serena and I got to the 930 Club 10 minutes after he started and were standing next to the bathroom in the nosebleed balcony. If we were there at opening, I totally would have been that girl bouncing up and down right next to that stage...and would have got that set list too.

So, to summarize--Sondre, I love you. Thank you, thank you for a concert that was even better the second time around.

Upcoming D.C. Concerts and Updates

Two great concerts coming to D.C.'s 930 Club:

1. SONDRE LERCHE: Fri 9/11 (doors open at 6PM)
Sondre's new album, Heartbeat Radio, drops on Sept 8 and I'm mad excited. I saw Sondre in New York back in freshman year and it was one of the best days of my life. His new album seems really chill and it should be a pretty low key concert, in contrast to the punky one in NYC to compliment his Phantom Punch album. Unfortunately, I don't know if I can go to this concert because it's so early and my concert buddy, Serena, has class until 6 (which should be illegal on Fridays). I guess this means I need to find an interim concert buddy.

2. PHOENIX: Sun 9/27
OMG PHOENIX IS ON TOUR. OMG THEY ARE COMING TO D.C. OMG THEY ARE PERFORMING ON MY MOFO 21ST BIRTHDAY. OMG OMG OMG. There is still no ticket info on 930's site but they better get their act together because I'm GOING to this concert. Fate wants me to go to this concert so I'm GOING. Did you get that? I don't care if I'm late for work the next day because I'M GOING TO THIS CONCERT.

In other news, I've been craving hip-hop/pop music recently. Thus I've been listening to the local pop radio station, which does not do hip-hop nor pop any justice, but it hits the spot sometimes. Top of the crave list: Flo-Rida's "Right Round." Don't ask. I've also been listening to Britney's "Unusual You," which I've liked from the beginning. No doubt the best song from her album.

And another note, watch (P.) Diddy's Making His Band. It's good to see Diddy putting his star power behind musicians, not girls in skimpy skirts and big hair. I'll even ignore the fact he's making a hip-hop "concept album."

What's New with Beck?

Beck has self-stated he's never going on tour again (tear) but being the prodigious artist, he's never short on ideas. He's created the Record Club and here's his own quip on his project and his always quirky homepage:

"We've been working on changes to the website for the last few months. We'll be adding new sections as they're ready. The first one to be added is called Record Club, an informal meeting of various people to record an album in a day. An album will be chosen to be reinterpreted and used as a framework. Nothing rehearsed or arranged ahead of time. A track will be uploaded once a week on beck.com as well as through the web sites of those involved with the project."

The album they chose was The Velvet Underground and Nico and though I don't listen to The Velvet Underground, the Record Club's version sounds pretty good. I've posted my favorite thus far, but check out all the rest here.

Record Club: Velvet Underground & Nico "Femme Fatale" from Beck Hansen on Vimeo.

An unrelated tidbit, Kings of Convenience is coming out with a new album soon (thanks for the tip, Brittany). According to Wikipedia it will be out Friday, October 9, though I've never heard of albums released on Fridays.

New Album: Wilco - Wilco (The Album)

I can't say I'm the know-all fan of Wilco, but I appreciate their music enough. My first album was a seventeenth birthday present from my friend, Rose. She gave me Summerteeth and though I liked it, I was put off by the fact they were labeled "alternative country." Sorry, I was naive and young but embraced alt-country soon enough. Wilco's new album is more like their last, Sky Blue Sky, than their earlier ones. It plays a lot like one of my playlists, with a solid song to start, mellow middle section, and endearing ending (wow, I just realized I alliterated that entire sentence). That's how I like it, I suppose, because it doesn't take too much effort to listen to it. Some albums, I'm distracted by every song because they arranged every song to be catchy. I don't mind catchy, but don't expect me to listen to it while I'm crunching numbers.

WILCO - Wilco (The Album)

1. Wilco
Catchy and with a punch and a really good start to the album. One of my favorite songs of the album already.

2. Deeper Down
This song is really spacy, broken apart in story. I feel like if Beck were to tweek one of their songs, this would be what he'd come up with (loosely speaking) because of the random sound effects and psychedelic melodies.

3. One Wing

4. Bull Black Nova
I was listening to this album first at work and this song is what made me turn it down. The constant chord in the back is like an alarm to listen up, because the next song is really good. But roughly 5.5 minutes of an alarm is much too long.

5. You and I
Let's admit it--Feist makes any song better. This song was good to begin with, but the fact the female singer is Feist just makes me more excited.

6. You Never Know
A reprise of the bouncy sound again to catch the listener's attention. I like this one quite a bit.

7. Country Disappeared
This song proves why I love alt-country. Though I'm not a big fan of country music, their sounds are always the most important part of the song. Jeff Tweedy's voice is not really the main focus of the song, rather it infuses perfectly with the harmonies of the instruments.

8. Solitaire

9. I'll Fight
A splash of belligerence and sweetness mixed with the always good music of Wilco makes this song my favorite of the album. I'm using the word "music" in high regard here. Both the instrumentation and the singing should be thought through completely. So, even though I appreciate Britney Spears (surprisingly) quite a bit, she and Wilco are idealistically disparate.

10. Sonny Feeling

11. Everlasting Everything
A good ending to the album because it satisfies the listener. Bravo, Wilco. This album gets better and better every time I listen to it.

Heartbeat Radio

Sondre is coming back! I'm so freaking excited. Read and listen to a single from the album here. In my opinion, it sounds really good. He's going back to his sound from Faces Down and Two Way Monologue, using less punchy electric guitar and more strings. Heartbeat Radio drops on September 8th, in celebration of my upcoming birthday. How thoughtful.

In Other News

Though I never played any MJ on the show, I am secretly an admirer of his music. When my family was moving from Connecticut to Minnesota, my parents played a compilation of Michael Jackson, starting with "Black or White," so his music will always be a little glimmer of my childhood. As I said, I've never played anything of his, I don't have his albums, and I am not by any means a fanatic. But, his music is so inspirational that it is everywhere, even when you don't know it. For example, Kanye's "Good Life" features the ending snipet of "P.Y.T" as background. Also, Justice's "D.A.N.C.E" is a prominent display of how much they idolize MJ (lyrics include, "Do the D.A.N.C.E, 1 2 3 4 5/ You were just a P.Y.T. catching all the light." Also, I will never forget circuit running in high school where the gym teachers always played "Billie Jean," but not with the fondest of memories. RIP Michael Jackson.

Officially, Asian BBQ with Wenli and Juhee will be on hiatus for atleast one semester, or atleast it will be called Asian BBQ with Juhee Only. I will not be here for the fall, but will hopefully still post as much as I can(want). Kinda sad because I already have some songs I really wanted to play for the show.

Upcoming good news: Wilco's album drops next tuesday, Rooney will be releasing a new album very soon as will Sondre Lerche, according to their respective websites. Check out this acoustic-y performance of Phoenix's "1901" from MTV and check out how much the crowd is NOT into it (how little they know).

Phoenix - New Music - More Music Videos

While the adapter's away....

My laptop power adapter is out of service which means that instead of clipping on my shuffle in the morning, I have to lug around my iPod classic. This didn't turn out to be a totally unnecessary hassle though. I've been listening to the Best of Asian BBQ--all 27 playlists--and revisited many good songs I've forgotten about. After roughly 27 hours of re-listening, I've come to this conclusion: my best playlist was my first.

There are many reasons. First, the show back then was sans-Juhee thus sans-talking. The flow of this show was absolutely killer. Second, since it was the very first, I had my entire library to choose from and didn't have to care about replaying music. These were, and some of then still are, my favorite songs ever. Here it is--"The Blender", unofficially "Chill on Friday Nights with Wenli," the precursor to Asian BBQ Hour with Wenli and Juhee, the very first show, and the best.

P L A Y L I S T 11/2/07 : The first show, the first flow.

1. Sondre Lerche - Dead Passengers
By far my favorite Sondre song. Ever. At his concert in New York, Sondre said that he was going to name the album Faces Down after this song, but heard a myth that albums named after a song on the album will bomb. I don't know where he got that from, but he quickly got over it when with his next album, Phantom Punch. Sondre wrote Faces Down while he was still in high school. You know what I was doing in high school? Discovering Sondre. Anyway, my point is I'm astounded anyone could write such beautiful music when he was that young, but Sondre, you never disappoint. Swoon. I can't wait for the next album coming soon!

2. Jens Lekman - A Postcard to Nina
Favorite Norweigian followed by favorite Swede. I had gotten his album, Night Falls Over Kortedala, half-a-day before playing it. Admittingly, I never gave his other music much of a chance, just wrote it off as some odd-sounding foreign music Brittany gave me (sorry Brittany, I was so wrong!). The entire album was so catchy, but this one stuck out the most at that time. Believe it or not, this is a true story, retold at his concert in D.C. He really rode on a party bus to Berlin, which took about 23 hours. He really met with Nina's father. Then, he really did move to New York, not Sweden. Some people's lives are just so interesting.

3. Feist - One Evening
I dedicated this song to Serena because she loves Feist. I love Feist too, but I needed to grab listeners somehow. Feist always intersts me. Her voice is not particularly astounding, no vocal acrobatics or anything, but that is what makes it pleasing to listen to. It is pure and gentle. I hope I get to see Feist in concert one day.

4. Kings of Convenience - Love Is No Big Truth
Kings of Convenience is usually ultra mellow with not much of a beat. But this song doesn't even use any percussion and its beat is sick! I wish they will get back together some day but in the meantime, I'll listen to Erlend Øye and keep dreaming.

5. Wilco - When You Wake Up Feeling Old

6. Beck - Strange Apparition
Beck said in an interview that "Strange Apparition" almost didn't make it off the editing room floor. Boy, I'm so happy he didn't make that mistake. This song makes the entire album listenable. The only four good things about The Information were this song, "Think I'm In Love," the flow of the songs, and the DIY album cover with stickers. The flow would not be the same without this song because it gives it some breathing room between the other recorded byproducts of acid trips. Maybe I'm being too harsh, but this album was somewhat of a disappointment. Not to mention the next one was a disappointment as well. Nevertheless, Beck is still my favorite artist.

7. Sufjan Stevens - Chicago

8. The Decemberists - Summersong

9. The Shins - Girl Sailor

10. Peter Bjorn and John - Let's Call It Off

11. Interpol - The Heinrich Maneuver
May I just mention I'm not a huge Interpol fan? Their songs are too gritty for me. But, I saw they played this song on The Hills once (DO NOT judge me--you know you'd watch it when it's on too) and it just stuck. Also, my friend Camille always plays Interpol in her car so it kind of reminds me of short summers at home.

12. Franz Ferdinand - Tell Her Tonight
Franz Ferdinand, where have you gone? Why can't you recreate the magic of your first album? This song is solid--enough groove, enough cool, enough attitude. Perfect.

13. The Killers - Change Your Mind
I really like this song because it sounds happy. Honestly, it makes me feel happy so I played it. Also, the segue from "Tell Her Tonight" to "Change Your Mind" was killer, wink wink.

14. Amy Winehouse - Valerie
Amy Winehouse: so much talent matched by drugs and hair. I really liked this song and the entire album. I think Mark Ronson did a great job producing. I wish Amy would be on the mend, get her shit together, and sing for realz.

15. Lily Allen - LDN
For my first show, I wanted to end it on a positive note. This song is light, summery, and happy, though it's not the happiest in content. Talya first played it for me back in freshman year and I hated it. But, I got home and Camille, who just got home from LDN, played it and it was a different story. Yes, I'm capricious and I know it (by the way, "capricious" is a GRE vocabulary word).

P.S. Thanks to Chris for letting me borrow his adapter so I could write this post.

C.E. Cheese covering Rooney

This is the funniest thing I've ever seen. I've gotta hit up a Chuck E. Cheese if they're playing this set.

Revisiting Coldplay

Ever have a moment where the song you were listening to matched perfectly with the setting you were in? Like a perfect song for that moment of life? I was sitting on the Baltimore light rail and it was overcast and raining mist. I was listening to Coldplay's Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends. Everything matched perfectly, even the Asian instrument (the shamisen?) synchronizing with the clicks of the rail.

I realized I never gave Coldplay's newest album that much of a chance, still too disappointed from X&Y. I actually liked their music quite a bit before then. Anyway, they've got it right this time around--Viva flows incredibly well and has some very solid songs. My favorites are "Life in Technicolor," "Lost!," "Yes," and of course "Viva La Vida," most of which I've played on Asian BBQ.

Bottom line: take off your Coldplay blockers and give Viva a chance. Their title song has been in the midst of plagarism charges from many other artists, including the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens. I guess it's that good of a song. Right now, Coldplay is giving out a free downloadable album. Free music is always good music, right?

New Album: Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

NEW PHOENIX ALBUM. WOOOOO! It was suppose to drop on May 26th, but Wikipedia (always the reliable source) told me that it has been available on iTunes since May 12th. The verdict: pretty spiffy. Maybe not as apocalyptic-amazing as I was making it out to be. It's damn good though and I thorougly regret the seven days I spent Phoenix-less. The only thing bad about this album is that it is so short! A little more than half-an-hour with a two-part, seven minute musical interlude? And it still costs the usual $9.90 on iTunes? Yes, and that is the beauty of Phoenix. It is that good. Even if you can't understand what they're saying (they're French from Versailles), their cool beats alone will make every song certified good. And you know how I'm a sucker for a good beat. The run down:

PHOENIX - WOLFGANG AMADEUS PHOENIX

1. Lisztomania
This was sooooo good when they performed it on SNL and nothing has changed since then. The way the lead singer sings is almost mechanical, in a good way, because he jumps from note to note like he's using auto-tune. But he's not (take that T(une that shit)-Pain). Yeah, sooooo good.

2. 1901
Equally as good as Lisztomania. I played this on the 3/26/09 show of Asian BBQ and it was definitely one of my songs of the week.

3. Fences
This one is hot. There is always a song that makes you feel cool when you hear it and this is it for me. It's so smooth and it reminds me of their songs from Alphabetical. My favorite of the album.

4. Love Like a Sunset, Pt. I
Ambient groove noise, part I.

5. Love Like a Sunset, Pt. II
Ambient groove noise, part II.

6. Lasso
I like this one a lot. It's got a punch for being so short. A definite upper after listening to instrumentals for seven minutes.

7. Rome

8. Countdown

9. Girlfriend
As I was saying...good beats. This has got it. It's classic Phoenix and also the most popular download from their album on iTunes.

10. Armistice

EDIT: Want more Phoenix? Yes you do. Go here to listen to a short cover of Air's "Playground Love." Thanks to our friend and loyal follower, The Useless Critic. *Hint, hint: you should be our friend and loyal follower too! Click to follow on the right -------->

Playlist 4/30/09

1. Kanye West - Heard 'Em Say

2. Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheels

3. (JPOTW) Cage the Elephant - Ain't No Rest for the Wicked

4. Coconut Records - Easy Girl
This was Juhee's favorite of the week. Home run for Wenli!

5. Death Cab for Cutie - Your New Twin Sized Bed
At first, I was wondering why they were singing about a bed, then I actually listened to the lyrics and it turns out to be one of the most beautiful songs ever. The entire album (Narrow Stairs) is great. Grapevine Fires is another standout.

6. Britney Spears - If U Seek Amy
...spell it out to understand why I think this song is play-worthy.

7. Justice - DVNO

8. The Ting Tings - That's Not My Name
As I was saying on the show, this song is pure, in your ear pop. Ting Ting is actually a girl that the female lead worked with. It's a Chinese name that means peaceful but it also means to listen. What are the odds.

9. Norwegian Recycling - 8 Become 1
Thanks to Evan for this song. It was also used on the Pre-College yearbook soundtrack...I wonder why.

10. Chester French - People
Juhee's favorite #2! Home run #2! Look below for a thorough explanation of why I love this song.

11. Jens Lekman - Kanske Ar Jag Kar I Dig
So, there's this kid that had a pig for a pet, which has nothing to do with anything. Sounds like one of my stories. Jens Lekman is a great songwriter/producer/singer and this album is classic.

Blame It

Mainstream R&B is not particularly my favorite genre, nor do I like the sound of the auto-tune, but have you seen the video for Blame it from Jamie Foxx (ft. T-Pain)? Where do Jake Gyllenhaal, Forest Whitaker, Ron Howard, Jamie Foxx, and Samuel L. Jackson NOT belong together? In a club shooting a video about getting girls tipsy...atleast I was pretty sure until I saw the video again and again. I was surprised the Jamie used the auto-tune because I'm pretty sure he can sing, though I kind of wonder what state T-Pain's voice is in to make a living off an mechanical voice. But, may I just say, I really quite like the song and video, especially the grooving dancing panda. Whatever, blame it on the a(-a-a-a-a-a)lcohol.

Jamie Foxx - New Music - More Music Videos

New Artist: Chester French

Chester French just released their new album, Love the Future, on Tuesday and I do not remember the last time I was so giddy about legally downloading music. Pharrell Williams better be thanking his lucky Ice Creams that he snagged this band away from Kanye. I really like Pharrell's arrangements and his influence is apparent in most songs of the album, for example "She Loves Everybody." But mostly, I can't pinpoint a certain style of Chester French. Sometimes folksy ("Beneath the Veil," "Jimmy Choos"), sometimes poppy ("People," "C'mon," "Bebe Buell"), sometimes sentimental ("Not Over You"), but always groovy and addictive. Definitely fresh, new tunes from the Harvard-based duo of singer and plays-every-instrumentalist. By the way, if you want to hear a little example of the ecclectic style I'm talking about, get the free download of "Ciroc Star," featuring Chester French, Diddy, Jadakiss & Clinton Sparks, which is not folksy, poppy, or sentimental, but definitely booty-poppin' material (a special shout-out to Diddy--no bitchassness on Asian BBQ).

CHESTER FRENCH - LOVE THE FUTURE

1. Introduction
Okay, fine. Introductions are fine.

2. C'mon (On My Own)
This song is a great way to start off the album. It's definitely the most encompassing of their style.

3. Bebe Buell
I like the dog barks after D.A. Wallace (the lead singer) sings "Oh!" in the chorus ... and for other reasons also.

4. String Interlude
My only personal objection to this album is that it has too many random interludes which I think cuts off the flow.

5. The Jimmy Choos

6. Time to Unwind
Very simple, light, beachy. Short and sweet and a great way to transition between the more poppy first quarter and the folksy next quarter. Thank god they didn't use another stupid interlude.

7. Fingers

8. Country Interlude

9. Beneath the Veil

10. Neal

11. Not Over You
Absolutely one of my top two of the album. I love the chorus--"I tried to say what I gotta say, but I'm not through. I tried to do what I gotta do, but I'm not over you." When I first listened to it, I thought that the reprise at the end was a new song and I was really excited because the beat was sick. They should really use that material somewhere.

12. She Loves Everybody
This is the first song I encountered when I found the Chester French and I think it's the one that the least like the others. I guess the song kind of grew on me but there are a bunch of pretty kick-ass remixes of it, i.e. the Steve Aoki version.

13. Sleep

14. People (iTunes Album only)
My favorite and the reason I wanted to buy the album in the first place. I love the way that D.A. Wallace croons and the modulations in the middle. The chorus part ("No, no, no, no, no one's ever gonna find us") has the most addictive beats and makes the song jam so well. The synth riffs in the chorus are pretty sick as well.

Playlist 4/23/09

Today was our special broadcast with guest DJ's, Chris Pastrana and Isai Badaraco. I can't remember hosting a show that was so much fun. Thanks for all the effort and energy, guys. Isai creates his own music, and in my opinion is a really gifted mash-up artist (if that's the right term). Anyway, he is very talented and even won over Juhee--a possible JPOTW? Chris played his own playlist of songs ranging from Beck to Cat Power to Black Keys. Thanks for making the show the most enjoyable in many, many moons.

And thank YOU for listening! Back next week with our finale show. Tune in!

Playlist 4/9/09

1. Belle and Sebastian - Chickfaster

2. Death Cab for Cutie - You Can Do Better Than Me
Beautiful and simple song that gets the point across. It's cute.

3. Sufjan Stevens - Decatur

4. Modest Mouse - World at Large
One of my favorite Modest Mouse songs. I think I've probably played it on air before, but it's definitely worth repeating. I'm glad they're not screeching their way through the song. It's much appreciated.

5. Phoenix - Love For Granted

6. The Bridges - Echo
The reason I like The Bridges is because they can actually sing! Imagine that. The lead singer has a soothing country-folksy voice. The band is four siblings and a cousin so when they sing together it creates a unique blend that is mixed just right because they all have the same country-folksy twang. And, don't get me started on their instrumental arrangements. They're a solid band that is just waiting to take off.

7. Britney Spears - Circus
I happen to like Britney Spears not just because she suffered through a bald head and psychosis. She's been around for so long that you just have to give her credit. Thanks to Steph for the request!

8. Pink Floyd - Have A Cigar
This song made me feel cool, so I played it.

9. Bjork - It's Not Up to You
I've wanted to play more Bjork for a very long time, but I knew that Juhee would NOT approve. So, I chose to add it on a day she was not here. Sorry Juhee.

10. The Isles - Our Kitchen Test

11. Beck - Youthless
I'm still pretty upset that I missed Beck and MGMT in NYC, especially because it was the last time Beck will ever tour.

12. Andrew Bird - Imitosis

13. Rooney - Losing All Control

Playlist 3/26/09

1. Amy Winehouse - Some Unholy War

2. Sondre Lerche - On the Tower
The first Sondre song I loved. Forever and always.

3. Belle and Sebastian - Sleep the Clock Around

4. Keane - A Bad Dream

5. Wilco - Jesus, Etc.

6. Emiliana Torrini - Unemployed in the Summertime
This song basically describes my May, June, and July--(getting paid like I'm) unemployed in summertime, only just turned 21(-1), it'll be okay (if I ace my GRE's).

7. Phoenix - 1901
Did YOU catch Phoenix on SNL? Amazing. I wish they would tour the US sometime soon. New Album (Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix) drops in late May.

8. MGMT - Time to Pretend
I've wanted to play this song for a while, but it's always been deleted during the refining process. I was very surprised to see that MGMT had another good song other than Electric Feel. That, this, and Kids are the only three songs I listen to from them.

9. Death Cab for Cutie - We Looked Like Giants

10. Franz Ferdinand - Outsiders

11. Andrew Bird - How Indiscreet

12. OK Go - Return
OK Go is supposed to be a nonsense-singing band right? Yes, except this song actually has substance, and you can't just let that be missed.

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