Samtastic! Review: The Blow

Ok, so I know I have been listening to this band for like a year now, but I am still kind of obsessed with them. Or her actually, because now it is only Khaela. I put the song "Hey Boy" on my myspace profile, again. And they are playing in Portland (where I believe Khaela Maricich is from, or resides) at the Doug Fir, which is in a cool hotel I just stayed at a few weeks ago!

This music is awesome and unique, very girly, and yet totally powerful pop music. It has a true voice, and doesn't just sound fun. I strongly suggest checking her out, and bugging her to make more music. These are the kinds of acts that need the encouragement to keep going! This is the kind of act that is inspiring!

So get this music and JAM out in your car, you won't be able to help yourself.



www.myspace.com/theblowus

Samtastic! Review: Of Montreal LIVE

Ok, so last night after seeing this show I was soooo hyper that I wanted to write my blog right then and there...but I had been up for 24 hours due to unusual circumstances, so I am writing it now 24 hours after that burst of creativity.

This show is what I imagine seeing Prince and Queen perform together might have been like...with animation in the background and crazy lighting on the stage...so basically this show R-O-C-K - in the USA.

I can't talk about the show without an honorable mention of the band Night Moves who was the 2nd opener, and they were pretty amazing. I think they have created, or at least totally become the epitome of White Geek Hip-Hop. The only thing I didn't like about them, is that they expected people to take them seriously, and they have a pretty serious message, but they are so laughable. I suggest checking them out, they were really good rappers, if you can believe it?

Anyway, Of Montreal is apparently from Athens...Athens, GA that is...so this show was PACKED! I mean I haven't seen the Variety that packed. Lots of young hipsteresque folk running around, but the less annoying variety. If you have heard this band and thought, "they are ok, I don't know, not super exciting..." GO SEE THEM LIVE.

Here are my sparse pics...I was too busy trying to figure out how these people are what they are:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thisgirlnamedsam/sets/72157603260125730/



I would def recommend seeing this band once, if your ready to dance.

Samtastic! Review: The Killers "Sawdust"

The Killers new release came out today and I got a lovely reminder that I had pre-ordered it...so I went to get it.

Most people I talked to weren't as excited about "Sam's Town", their sophmore album, after listening to it. I on the other hand listened to it non-stop for probably 2 months and was kind of obsessed with it. It is different from their first album, but still amazing in a whole new way.

Anyway, "Sawdust" is some B Sides and other rarities accoring to the website, and for a fan it's worth getting. People give Brandon Flowers shit, but he and his band are great songwriters. I haven't gotten to see them perform myself yet, but from what I have seen on television, their performances are hit or miss. They are pretty young, so I am sure they will get better...in my opinion that just means they are more genuine. This new release also has some remixes so to speak, like one of "Mr. Brightside" which is really good.

So yeah, if you are a fan, get this, it's worth it in my opinion... if your a hater, don't.

Samtastic! Review: Things I wish would happen...

I wish I had energy and a friend to go see Busdriver tonight...OH! and I wish I didn't have to go to the airport, because that is a real excuse for missing him for the second time this year...

I wish to go see Of Montreal with Tracy. And since it's at Variety, we will get amazing pictures, to come.

I wish Jamie Lidell would recreate the amazing show at the Earl he played almost exactly 1 year ago.

I wish my friend Steve would come visit me in Georgia, and that one of his rotating band members who is currently wearing my Jacket, would return it in perfect condition.

I wish that his other friends Jail, would come to Georgia too.

Will anyone go see Chris Brown with me if he plays here?

I wish that Radiohead would play at the Variety Playhouse.

I wish that Dave Chapelle would throw another Block Party and film it, only here in my backyard...Have you guys seen that movie? it was actually really good.

I wish they would make stamps with Kanye West on them, so I could see him every day on my mail.

I wish that Gwen Stefani and No Doubt would get back together and do a cover of Talkingheads "Psycho Killer", but in that ska thing they do.

I wish that I could be in NYC, or San Fran, or Philly...or somewhere that isn't Georgia.



***Ok, that's enough wishes for now, please feel free to make any of them come true.

Samtastic! Review: Kanye West's Graduation

The EGO on this guy...is amazing. I was waiting until the ridiculous hype between he and Fiddy calmed down when their albums dropped on the same day. I knew this album would win out from what I had heard/seen before it was released. But I had no idea it would actually really in truth be a wonderfully put together album.

Kanye West has that kind of celebrity that is always tettering on the edge of going away forever. He is insane, definitely...but in the genius "Prince" kind of way. He takes things that happened to him and turns them into hits...but I wonder if he can talk about something other than himself...ahhh who cares, it's that good. He talks about violence, his mentor, women, society, shit talk, money, hope and faith, all in relation to himself...He says that it all makes him who he is, he's right, so I will let him run with it. At least he seems to be fearless in he retaliation, and that is always part of the makings of a hero.

I read 1 recent article where Kanye said he doesn't consider himself a Hip Hop artist, he considers himself a Rockstar. I think this is pretty accurate. One of my favorite songs on the album is called Champion, I think it's inspiring. It's the kind of song everyone in a STADIUM could get into and smile about. And aside from the HITS you've probably already heard, I think the rest of the album is more mellow and almost sad in some ways, but in a good "rock" kind of way.

I honestly wasn't really expecting this to be good, or these words of praise to come out of my mouth. This guy, Kanye West, is annoying, an amazing self marketer, and flashy...but he's got the talent to back it up.

I might even go as far as to say he is the future...nah, he is the now.