X were one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll bands from either hemisphere—a healthy counterpart to the L.A. band and legends on par with Birdman or the Saints in their native Australia. In fact, their closest L.A. counterpart would be Black Flag. X were loud, fast, fearless outsiders whose debut, Aspirations, mated Motorhead ferocity with Link Wray-style broken guitar minimalism to make something fast, loud and to-this-day unduplicated.
Live reviews
THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS @ HOLLYWOOD BOWL
With latter day electronica (such as that demonstrated by Chromeo) seeing a melding of organic convention (they move and have a few backing musicians), The Chem’s hark from an era when doodling in an onstage bunker was tolerable.
THE SOFT PACK + COLD WAR KIDS @ U.S. SURF OPEN
A free matinee show broke loose as the waves and beachgoers crashed in on the US Surf Open at Huntington Beach. In other words, Southern California natives, The Soft Pack and Cold War Kids, were shredding the local tides apart with their show tunes on Tuesday, Aug. 3.
HIPSTERS WHO HEART HIP HOP @ SILVER ECHO GALLERY
The fourth installation of Hipsters Who Heart Hip Hop hosted by Adam Weiss and Jayk Gallagher was like a traveling circus that opened its doors to the Los Angeles neighborhood of Silverlake and Echo Park at last. As the full moon beamed over the Silver Echo Gallery, the night got more intense while everyone was [...]
JOANNA NEWSOM @ ORPHEUM THEATRE
Gazing down through the harp strings to glimpse Newsom singing her intricate melodies, I couldn’t shake the notion that this was the most beautiful performance I’ve ever heard. A case of hyperbole in my head? Perhaps, but that was how it felt in the fanciness of the moment.
KID INFINITY @ THE SMELL
Did two stoned scenesters really co-opt the 3-D technology that was designed for Michael Jackson’s ill-fated London comeback shows in order to sell out the Smell and turn it into a full-on rave? Did we actually just go to our favorite neighborhood all-ages spot to witness the future of high-tech arena shows?
Album reviews
Big Whup: Bug Whup 7″
This is a great single—not only because each of the songs are catchy and memorable, but also because it showcases two different voices and the diversity of sounds they can create.
So Many Wizards: Love Songs For When You Leave Me EP
While the title suggests future heartache, band mastermind Nima Kazerouni makes it clear that he’s already well-versed in the spiritual vernacular of loss.
The Timebombs: I Belong in Hell
Thank God these kids put out this record. Putting this record on the turntable makes me feel the same way I felt being a 13-year-old shithead.
Madlib Medicine Show No. 3: Beat Konducta in Africa
The strength of Medicine Show No. 3 is the reckless abandon with which it dives deeply into style after style, sometimes in ways that don’t exactly work but nonetheless manage to attach themselves together. For some, this will be an eye-opening redefinition of African music. But it’s not for first-time Madlib listeners.
White Fence: White Fence
Did I miss the memo that said Darker My Love would show THE WAY? I don’t remember their music being as fucking fantastic as White Fence, Tim Presley’s solo project that slides like a multi-colored slug through your brain, then raids the cabinet for scones and a bit of tea. The White Fence Album is the best vinyl I’ve ever received in the L.A. RECORD crate!
