Magnetic Fields (Majestic Theater)
First things first-- if you're heading to the Majestic Theater tonight, you should know that the WSJR fact check department has confirmed that there is no opening band, and that the show is supposed to start at 8pm on the dot. So be aware. Stephin Merritt and Magnetic Fields are touring in support of Distortion, their latest record, and in some ways, their new material sounds sort of like a return to what I believe is their greatest record: Holiday. The total number of people who have ever agreed with me on this is zero, but hey, most geniuses go unrecognized during their time anyway, right? I could chalk it up to nothing more than being a big fan of lo-fi bedroom synth pop a la OMD, but really-- the next time you sit down and listen to Holiday, think about the fact that it came out in 1994, and then think about how many bands the record surely had an influence on after its release. You'll realize, I think, that it is a lot more important than most people claim. The official backstory behind the latest MF release is that Merritt was influenced by shoegaze and Jesus and Mary Chain specifically (check their My Bloody Valentine inspired promo photos for further evidence), and while that is certainly true in most surface level respects, the songwriting and the shimmering fuzz found on most of the album's tracks really reminds me of some of the electro noise found on that aforementioned favorite record of mine. Of course, all of this is analysis has very little to do with what you'll hear tonight-- based on an assortment of online reviews I've read concerning the latest tour, we'll get a stripped down Magnetic Fields this evening. This is probably how most people prefer it, and although I'm looking forward to it, a part of me is just a tad disappointed.

A Place to Bury Strangers | Sian Alice Group | Red Monroe (The Loft)
Shit. Thanks for scheduling this show for tonight. The one night that something even arguably better is going on. Brooklyn's A Place to Bury Strangers have been building a reputation for themselves as one of the loudest bands in existence these days, and their live shows have become fairly legendary in blogland over the past year or so. And speaking of Jesus and Mary Chain-- these guys are up to their ears in Psychocandy, but thankfully, that isn't all their up to. You'll hear quite a bit of late 80's Wax Trax in their sound, as well as some later period Primal Scream, which sort of sounds like krautrock gone metal if you haven't heard it. For those not attending Magnetic Fields, this is a highly recommended alternative. Oh, and I was able to catch Sian Alice Group twice during SXSW, and they were fantastic both times.

Cool Out (The Cavern)


Young Doc Gooden (Hailey's)