Mixed Emotions: New Arcade FIre

In recent weeks, Arcade Fire have kept fans and music bloggers on the edge of their seats, anticipating news of an album release and tour dates.

With news that a 12'' single, including "Month of May" and "The Suburbs" has finally been released, it takes a moment for the initial excitement to subside
After listening to the online stream, it is hard to decide where this album will fall in line in the Arcade Fire discography. Although it is difficult to peg an entire album off of two songs, it is still enough to get the curiosity and critiques flying.

With "Month of May", it's easy to see that the band hasn't lost their touch. The fast, monotonous drumming is accompanied by the signature fast-spoken male/female vocals. At first, the lyrics seem a bit superficial and forced; why on earth would this band, who always seem to have something brilliant to say, write about writing an album in the month of May? It takes a few spins to realize that, upon further listening, there is a lot more to the lyrics than simply talking about writing an album - it almost seems to be a confession that it took more effort to write this album than the previous two. If this is true, things could get interesting once the entire album is finished.
Next up, the straight-forward single "The Suburbs" tells even more tales of a tortured soul, worrying about the effects that the world and people have on one another. With a quick tempo, the song begins an upbeat one before lyrics lead into a darker place. The tortured vocals seem to encompass your attention by enveloping you with a sense of being lost and disappointed, much like a teenager in... well, suburbia.

All in all, it is hard to imagine topping either of their previous albums. Still, the more I hear "Month of May" and "The Suburbs", the more I am impressed by the direction the band has taken. Could Arcade Fire be writing an album full of anthems for all those chasing their youth? Will they prove that even the most talented artists cannot stop time?
Whether we will be solving riddles to relate with the lyrics, I can't say. However, I can say that The Suburbs is already at the top of my "Most Anticipated" list; as if it were ever questionable. Sure, I still have a few reservations as to what this album will provide, but I am certain that I won't be let down. I can't yet tell if this one will take some time to grow on me, but quite frankly, each time these songs start over, my fears subside a little more.

For those of you living under a rock, the band has graciously provided a place to stream the singles online. (In true Arcade Fire style, the vinyl and lyrics are even interactive.)
The Suburbs will be released August 2 in the U.K. and August 3 in the U.S. & Canada. Pre-orders can be made from the band's website.

June
28 - Helsinki, Finland @ The Senate Square
30 - Rättvik, Sweden @ Dalhalla

July
2 - Arendal, Norway @ Hove Festival
4 - Werchter, Belgium @ Rock Werchter
9 - Dublin, Ireland @ Oxegen
13 - Ottawa, Canada @ Ottawa Bluesfest
31 - Montréal, Canada @ Osheaga Festival

August
8 - Chicago, USA @ Lollapalooza
14 - Toronto, Canada @ Olympic Island
27 - Leeds, UK @ Leeds Festival
28 - Reading, UK @ Reading Festival
29 - Domaine National de Saint-Cloud, France @ Rock en Seine
31 - Berlin, Germany @ Tempodrom

September
2 - Bologna, Italy @ Arena Parco Nord

Touring + Album Review : Portugal. The Man

If you haven't yet heard,  Portugal. The Man officially released their impressive fifth full-length, titled The Satanic Satanist, two weeks ago. Officially being the key-word.

Portugal. The Man have always been a "larger than life" band. From the name of the band itself to the music they make, P.TM are sure to stick out in a crowd due to their genuinely talented ideas and humble attitude. However, nothing seems to stop their creative minds from cranking out more songs, even if it means releasing two albums within ten months of one another.

Portugal wowed many with a seemingly more established sound on their last album, Censored Colors, which was released in September 2008. However, the band was back in the studio by January 2009 recording their newest album that was said to have been written and entirely laid-out before the band even entered a studio. Sure, nobody minds hearing new material from an amazing group, but what was most impressive was the fact that the short timeline between the release of one album to the recording of the next seemed to be completely natural for the band. Even more surprising was that the band had little-to-no down time between the preparation of the album's release and their next tour. 

After a brief stint in Tennessee for Bonnaroo in early June, the band travelled overseas for an extensive European tour that would eventually end in Portugal. Yet it was only a couple of weeks into their European tour that many fans were feeling a mixture of shock and excitement when John Gourley, the band's founding member, announced via his Twitter account and the band's blog that the album had been leaked only a month before its intended release of July 21st.

However, the boys had to move on. As time went on, Gourley emphasized that despite being frustrated, the band understood and were encouraging many to go ahead and download the album. Surprising to say the least.

Still, the insanely timed arrival and journey of The Satanic Satanist was well worth it, as it has proven to be the kind of album worth holding on to. With opening track "People Say" blatantly mocking the ideals of pro-war Americans, the humor is not only found in the lyrics, but how deliberately catchy and up-beat the song is. Leave it up to boys of Portugal. The Man to find and expose the irony in it all.

As the album moves on, it never slows down from the bluesy opening track. The shorter tracks of Satanist blend easily into one another despite an album that pulls inspiration from various points on the music spectrum, making a cohesive experience out of variety that could promise disastrous if not carefully constructed. In fact, the albums most appealing quality is not the beautifully blended vocals or even the subtle-yet-brilliant additions from keyboardist Ryan Neighbors, but the fact that such an experimental band properly found a way to present even more experimentation to the table for old fans to appreciate and new fans to fall in love with. As "Lovers In Love" brings fast-paced bongos and strong synths to the table, tracks like "The Woods" and "Everyone Is Golden" showcase a more organic sound. With their fifth full-length, Portugal prove yet again that they are able to vary their inspiration to a degree that works easier than it should. As the album nears a close with the slow, echoing track, "Let You Down", you get the feeling that this magical album might just represent what its like to live a day in the majestic land of Alaska, and the feeling itself will have your head spinning.

If you ever had a doubt that Gourley, Neighbors, bassist Zachary Carothers and drummer Jason Sechrist knew what they were doing with their music, you can finally rest your worries. The Satanic Satanist clearly reveals just how talented each musician is on their newest record that will grab ahold of your soul and keep you reaching back for more.

Although you can pick this album up on iTunes, Amazon, or other websites that offer The Satanic Satanist digitally, I'd recommend dropping by your local record shop and buying the album (vinyl or CD) there. Sure, you can get it faster by downloading it, but you won't get the beautiful artwork John drew and designed himself.

The album, which was in fact inspired by the band's upbringing in Alaska, is a testament (artistically and musically) to the way nature is seen through the eyes of an Alaskan - or something like that.

Portugal. The Man will be touring this fall, making numerous stops throughout North America that will keep them on the road for three months. If you're in the area of any of these shows, please go out and support them. I promise you that it will be one of the most entertaining shows you will see in a while.

August

4 - Brooklyn, NY @ Union Pool

5 - New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge

7 - Cleveland Heights, OH @ Grog Shop

9 - Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza/Playstation Stage (1:30P)

11 - Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews

12 - Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room

14 - Denver, CO @ Hi-Dive

27 - Santa Cruz, CA @ Crepe Place

29 - San Francisco, CA @ Outside Lands

September

16 - Vancouver, British Columbia, CA @ The Union Ltd.

17 - Seattle, WA @ Chop Suey

18 - Eugene, OR @ WOW Hall

19 - Portland, OR @ Roseland Theatre

22 - Sacramento, CA @ Harlow's Night Club

23 - San Francisco, CA @ The Independent

25 - West Hollywood, CA @ The Troubadour

26 - Pomona, CA @ The Glass House

28 - San Diego, CA @ Belly Up Tavern

29 - Tempe, AZ @ The Clubhouse

October

1 - Santa Fe, NM @ Santa Fe Brewing Company

2 - Boulder, CO @ B-Side Lounge 

3 - Boulder, CO @ B-Side Lounge

8 - Madison, WI @ Majestic Theatre

9 - Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall

10 - Chicago, IL @ Schuba's Tavern

11 - Chicago, IL @ Schuba's Tavern

13 - Ferndale, MI @ The Magic Bag

14 - Toronto, Ontario, CA @ Horseshoe Tavern

16 - Hoboken, NJ @ Maxwell's

18 - Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club

20 - Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground

21  - Northhampton, MA @ Pearl Street Downstairs

22 - Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda's

23 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom

If you like The Satanic Satanist, make sure you also check out Portugal. The Man's four previous albums; Waiter: "You Vultures!", It's Complicated Being A Wizard, Church Mouth, and Censored Colors. 

Official Portugal. The Man Website

Official Portugal. The Man Myspace

Touring: Sunny Day Real Estate + Jealous Sound

Sunny Day Real Estate and Jealous Sound have announced that they will be touring together this fall!

After disbanding more than 10 years ago, Sunny Day Real Estate have announced that all four original members will re-unite for their upcoming fall tour.

In 1994, SDRE released their debut full-length, Diary, on Sub Pop Records. However, things took a turn for the worst while recording their second release when bassist Nate Mendel decided to leave the band before their second album, LP2, was officially finished. Remaining members, Jeremy Enigk (vocals, guitar), Dan Hoerner (guitar, vocals), and William Goldsmith (drums) went on to release two more studio albums for Sub Pop.

"I wasn't around for the second version of the band that recorded the third and fourth albums," Medel explained in the band's June 23rd Press Release. "I've always had a feeling of unfinished business there."

Opening act, The Jealous Sound, are no stranger to long hiatus' either.

After receiving rave reviews for their full-length, Kill Them With Kindness, the band went on a successful tour with Piebald. It wasn't until October 2008, five years after their debut release, that the band released new material; they chose to release their infectious single, "Got Friends", exclusively on iTunes.

Although new material was released, the band remained virtually invisible until a blog was posted on their myspace on June 24. Bassist Pedro Benito confirmed that they will not only be touring with Sunny Day Real Estate, but have completed five songs for a new album, with another "five or six only wearing their skeletons".

The tour, which will cover 20 major cities across North America, seems fitting for both bands.

September

17 - Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom

18 - Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom (Musicfest NW)

20 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Murray Theater

21 - Denver, CO @ Ogden Theater

23 - Minneapolis, MI @ First Avenue

24 - Chicago, IL @ Metro

25 - Detroit, IL @ St Andrews Hall

27 - New York, NY @ Terminal 5

28 - Boston, MA @ House of Blues

30 - Washington DC @ 930 Club

October

1 - Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero

3 - Atlanta, GA @ CW Center Stage

5 - Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater

6 - Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live

7 - Austin, TX @ La Zona Rosa

9 - Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre

10 - Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues

11 - Los Angeles, CA @ Henry Fonda Theater

13 - San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore

15 - Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory

16 - Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre

Sub Pop has announced that SDRE's first two albums, Diary and LP2 (aka The Pink Album), are being re-mastered in accordance with this tour and will be on sale starting September 15th.

The tour has reportedly been selling quite well in most cities, with Pre-Sale tickets selling out in almost each city provided.

"We left behind all these weird and beautiful songs, though, and they've stuck with me all this time," Mendel stated. "I'm really happy that we get a chance to play them together again."

Official Sunny Day Real Estate Website

Official Sunny Day Real Estate Myspace

Official Jealous Sound Website

Official Jealous Sound Myspace

Official Sub Pop Website