The video isn't that great, but the song continues to blow me away. Also, scroll down a bit for a Wildcat post.

Beach House are really working overtime in Texas these days. After playing two Dallas shows in the past couple of months and making the trek down to Austin for SXSW last week, they’ll return to the Lone Star state lickety split with The Clientele, who will be touring in support of their upcoming release, “God Save the Clientele.” Hopefully Alasdair MacLean will forget to pack his attitude and it won’t be “God Save the Sound Guy” at Hailey’s—May 18th.

I was out of town for the first Dallas Beach House show and I regrettably missed their performance last week in favor of what turned out to be a stomach churning Mavericks loss to the much hated Suns. Last Friday presented two opportunities to finally see them perform at SXSW. I first caught Beach House at the afternoon event at Emo’s amongst a long list of what I felt were otherwise forgettable performers, and later that night they headlined the Carpark showcase at the Tap Room on 4th St. The Tap Room show was a dream—no trouble getting in, small stage, nice beers on tap, lemon oil scented restroom facilities, the works. I got there just in time to see Ecstatic Sunshine unleash their startling guitar theatrics. I’d never seen or heard them before, and my first reaction was that they sounded like what would happen if Polvo tried to play dueling banjos or something (you can download one of their songs here). They sounded at times beautiful, at other times sarcastic or childish, and at others unsettling. Not bad, but I didn’t complain when their set ended after45 minutes. Beach House took the stage and played more or less the same songs they had played a few hours earlier. They closed with “Master of None” before returning to play a cover of Daniel Johnston’s “Some Things Last a Long Time” as an encore—coincidentally a very nice tip of the cap to Austin.

SXSW FALLOUT: TWO BROS AND TWO BABES- So with the Beach House/Clientele tour news and on the strength of their SXSW gigs, I figured that I might as well cowboy up and buy “Beach House,” as well as the latest from Dean and Britta, entitled Back Numbers. I’m out there looking for my Luna fix just as much as the next guy, but I’d been in no rush to get Back Numbers since D&B conveniently left Texas off their current tour schedule (not to mention the album's mostly lukewarm reviews). Both albums feature a guy/girl duo, and since I bought them together I felt that making a comparison between the two was justified. Unfortunately for longtime Galaxy 500 and Luna devotees, Dean and Britta come off as just too cute—stylized at best, and tiresome at worst. “Words You Used to Say” is a strong track, and you can checkout the video on their Myspace page. “The Sun is Still Sunny” is lovely and easy to connect with, but I can’t help feeling jaded when learning that another of the album’s best, “Crystal Blue,” is an eulogy for a departed pet bunny rabbit. Add in lyrics about oatmeal cookies and a Donovan cover (“Teen Angel”), and it’s just not as easy to invest in this stuff as it was with Galaxy and Luna. It’s like, "Oh of course there’s a Donovan cover. Great." I almost feel cheated that D&B didn’t learn Japanese just to include a bonus Pizzicato 5 cover or something to that effect. And knowing that Victoria and Alex of Beach House are the ones that grew up together in France, wouldn’t you expect that they’d be the ones that evoke played out French Pop aesthetics? Rather, D&B recall Serge and Bridget Bardot (“Me & My Babies” or “Say Goodnight”?), while Victoria and Alex sound more like Mogwai set to a slow waltz, and in the end their rudimentary musicianship and conspicuous mistakes lend them a sincerity that D&B seem to have misplaced. Whereas Britta’s voice sounds preconceived, Victoria blends Karen Carpenter with Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane and doesn’t compromise soul for beauty while achieving both.

Britta Phillips is so good looking that it might just have been inevitable that I’d be skeptical of Back Numbers. How could you ever be sure that you were head over heels for a Dean and Britta album rather than just for Britta (or Dean for that matter)? Maybe I’m jealous of Britta because it feels like she took away my Dean—the old Dean. In 1988, Thurston Moore called Galaxy 500’s Today the guitar album of the year, and at that time, Dean was covering songs like George Harrison’s “Isn’t It a Pity,” Joy Division’s“Ceremony,” and VU’s “Here She Comes Now.” Those sentiments gradually shifted over the years as fans of the Dean Wareham canon were presented with such Luna tokens as “Sweet Child o’ Mine” and “Bonnie and Clyde.” GnR covers can be fun, but they’re not Joy Division covers (see also Bedhead, “Disorder”). I'm probably in the minority here, but I think Luna’s 2004 album, Rendezvous (also their last) largely stands up to anything else they released, but perhaps it’s telling that two of the strongest pieces on that album were Sean Eden contributions: “Broken Chair” and “Still at Home.” Maybe Old Dean is just gone, and I shouldn't hold a grudge against Britta, but I can't help myself. Back Numbers isn’t a bad album, but I really hope he comes back for the next one.

In addition to all the film festival stuff going down this weekend, there will be some music stuff too. You know, like the stuff we list below. And yes, we will have SXSW recaps for you some time soon, although its mostly just bitching about crap. What did you expect anyway? We will also have at least two local reviews next week and a local feature. You probably don't believe me, I know, but have a little faith. As the amazing Big Bad Voodoo Daddy says, lets go daddy-o:

FRIDAY

Abiku | Mose Giganticus | Yatagarasu | Christian! Teenage Runaways (House of Tinnitus)
If you're a keytar fetishist then this is your night, with two touring bands featuring the much maligned instrument. Abiku mixes hardcore punk ferociousness with speedy rhythms mostly associated with extreme varieties of Dutch-style electronic music. Mose Giganticus is somewhat along the same lines but with a more a focused aggravated vocal approach and Singularity Theory philosophy. Yatagarasu is from Huntsville and features distorted fuzz-grind basslines coupled with drum machine and hummingbird wing-flutter noise frequencies. Christian! Teenage Runaway continues their reign as one of the area's most surprising and genuine live groups with a show that I've seen convert even the most hardened and cynical coolie. Newer performances have seen the band writhing, screaming and rolling around with an enthusiasm and abandon not often witnessed in these vacant parts where most bands are more concerned with avoiding stains on their two hundred dollar jeans. Or maybe they want those stains? I can't ever tell for sure.

The Sword | Priestbird | Year Long Disaster (Doublewide)
Solid night of stoned Sabbathesque metal at Doublewide tonight... The Sword, although probably the poster boys for "hipster metal," are a pretty underrated band, and their live show is certainly worth what is sure to be a small cover at Doublewide. Kemado's Priestbird might be interesting too.

Slider Pines | Mexico | Current Leaves (Barley House)
You know, I was pretty indifferent to the old Barley House. Decent atmosphere, pretty good beer, crappy music, ok location. It was basically a decent place, no less or no more. But Christ, is there anything to like about the new SMU Frat Boy Barley House? I'm not so sure, but pretty much the first good thing that I've seen in reference to the place since it moved up north is the fact that Current Leaves are playing there tonight. If the altcountry people in Dallas had any taste, Current Leaves would be the toast of the town. That probably isn't the case, but I hope Current Leaves has at least built themselves a decent audience down here in Dallas. And I might not even mind going to Barley House tonight in order to find out.

Robert Gomez | Bosque Brown (The Cavern)
The CD release show for Robert Gomez' debut on Bella Union, which could end up getting as much or more attention from the national "indie" press than any other release this year. Its not anything that will wow the mostly knowledgeable readers of this blog, but its certainly a worthy and pleasant release.

Hogpig | Cartright | Tre Orsi (Rubber Gloves)
A CD release show for Hogpig. Although I have yet to hear their new record, I have serious doubts as to its status as a collection of "near symphonies," but you know, anything is possible I guess. Cartright stands as the clear highlight of this show, although the mostly straight forward material I've heard from Tre Orsi has sounded decent.

SATURDAY

Abiku | Mose Giganticus | The Great Tyrant | Akkolyte (1919 Hemphill)
Similar lineup To Tinnitus from Friday but with two of the area's most intimidatingly great live acts added to the bill. The Great Tyrant bring it slow and heavy with gloomy goth prog that makes attending a show feel like bathing in lava. Akkolyte are a veteran grindcore two piece with admirers worldwide and an intensity that you won't likely ever forget. These two groups are enough for one show all by themselves.

Antelope | Knee Pad | Far Star (Rubber Gloves)
Antelope has been releasing records on Dischord for sometime now and that actually gives you a good general idea of what they sound like. Of course you can't say that for all Dischord bands, but they are definitely of the melodic and serious variety of indie rock that the label made famous. The vocals are reminiscent of Clint Conley's in Burma (or more accurately, his recent work in Consonant) over some thoughtful yet energetic bursts of guitar. Kneepad are yet another slightly tongue-in-cheek group of raunch rockers from Denton, but they seem to have their moments more than some of their competition. The Far Star is local and lists Jellyfish, The Killers and Chipotle as their influences. I definitely hear all three influences, especially the last one. But when I say that, I mean like the early stuff, when they were still owned by McDonald's. Is that reverse selling out?

Robert Gomez | Bosque Brown (Haileys)

Check back for Sunday listings.

To those of you trying to send us CDs and stuff like that: we cleared up the situation at the post office today and our PO box is up and running again. Same address and everything. Sorry to all of those people that had stuff returned to them. If you could be a dear and go ahead and send that stuff to us again, that would be great mkay. The same old address:

We Shot J.R.
P.O. Box 721261
Dallas,TX 75372-1261

(SR Edit: Almost forgot about Lost Generation at Fallout tonight. I've had the pleasure of catching a few of Wanz' sets over the past couple of weeks, and it seems to me that he's been putting together some of the best dance sets in Dallas... a pretty well kept secret apparently, judging by the fact that the crowd on both nights I attended could best be described as a music dork sausage fest. Anyway, we heard lots of old school house, german experimental, new indie/electro whatever you want to call it, and basically just a lot of really good party shit. Could help make Dallas fun again on Thursday nights if the party people start paying attention. Heres what he has for tonight:

"Wattstax was a festival at the Los Angeles Coliseum on August 20, 1972 organized by Memphis's Stax Records to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the Watts riots. Wattstax was seen by some as "the Afro-American answer to Woodstock". In order to encourage as many members of the black community in LA to attend the event at Memorial Coliseum, tickets were sold for only $1.00 each. There have been several CDs with the recordings from this festival and also a documentary film. The Reverend Jesse Jackson gave the invocation, which included his "I Am - Somebody" poem, which was recited in a call and response with the assembled stadium crowd. There was a film directed by Mel Stuart which was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Documentary Film in 1974.
Starring:

The Staple Singers
Richard Pryor
Rufus Thomas
Kim Weston
Johnnie Taylor
The Bar-Kays
Isaac Hayes
Albert King

I am also droping trax from Battles, Kate Wax, Ellen Allien and Apparat, Mochipet, Joker, Dinosaur JR., Loilta Storm, yet another new Venetian Snares, The Field, new Alan Vega(this shit is reeeelallly good), The Whip, The Presets, Black Devil Disco Club, Datarock, Gui Boratto, Dan Deacon, The White Mice, Holy Fuck, El-P, new M.I.A., unreleased Slowdive, Chris Clark, new Adult, tracks from the Monks tribute album and much much much more.

Peelander-Z | Swedish Teens | Potential Johns (Rubber Gloves)
Peelander-Z are one of those groups where everyone goes on about their live show but they seem somewhat more interested in marketing as many pieces of silly merchandise as possible as opposed to spending very much time on their music. If that doesn't bother you I'm sure they put on a really good show with some fun trashy punk songs. After Monotonix and Punk Bunny earlier this week, I'm somewhat traumatized by crazy live shows. Peelander-Z is definitely more enjoyable than local openers Swedish Teens and Potential Johns. Swedish Teens in particular never even give you a chance to get past their schtick.

80's Night With DJ G (Hailey's)

Tex Winters | New Science Projects | Dust Congress (Secret Headquarters)
Various members of the highly esteemed WSJR crew have been less than floored by New Science Projects' live shows, but the recorded material we've heard is far above average folk influenced indie pop that incorporates many of the more fashionable influences of the past few years without being obvious or annoying about it. In fact, songs like "Bedtime" pack a sometimes explosive emotional punch that remains more than tolerable thanks to NSP's willingness to experiment. Anyway, their CD release show is tonight at SHQ, a place that shouldn't have any problem paying its rent this month. And by the way, for those on the local rock news beat: NSP and Tex Winters are gearing up for a small midwest/west coast tour that begins this week in El Paso.

Calla | The Angelus (Hailey's)
Geez, I'm not sure what the hell I really think of Calla. Every time I hear them, I think "hey, this isn't bad," and then, once I turn it off, I don't think about them again until I accidentally hear them somewhere else. You know what, fuck that. They aren't that good. I do like The Angelus though, and I'm sure Calla is at least a solid live band.

Cosmic Catnip | DJ DR. Cuddles (Rubber Gloves) : I think it might be just one member of Cosmic Catnip playing this free dance party tonight. Those guys have taste to burn so I'm sure it'll still be good.

Lebanon | Tame...Tame and Quiet | Jetscreamer | Handbrake
(Club Dada)
A strong lineup heavy on locals and including a touring band that I've heard many good things about in the past year. I've never heard a single negative review of Lebanon, spoken or otherwise. It's a rare chance to see two bands from Tel Aviv in the same week if you caught the Monotonix on Sunday at The Eighth Continent. If you didn't, then you completely missed out. All of the bands tonight communicate their ideas mostly through guitar effect trickery, whether by pedals, complex fret work or both. Lebanon has some serious sounding instrumental passages that are probably impressive live. Tame...Tame and Quiet have their new full length ready and the word on the street is that it's excellent. We'll let you know if that's the case as soon as we score a copy. Old Denton favorites Jetscreamer have shattered the silence of their long hiatus by playing out much more frequently as of late which is good since they have always been much more likable than a lot of their veteran peers. I don't know much about Handbrake except that the songs on their page sound promising with some stop/start rhythms, interesting guitar playing and agitated vocals.

Lost Film Fest (1919 Hemphill)
This is a collection of short films with far left/activist overtones, "culture jamming" themes, banned clips, and riot footage. This mini fest prides itself on being "the only film fest with an FBI file". I'm sure this will be anything but boring. Remember: shows at 1919 start early so get there at 6.


Matt Bauer | The Naptime Shake | Garret Pierce (SHQ Denton)
There will be two nights of predominantly singer/songwriter stuff at SHQ. I'm glad to see more weeknight activity here. The incredibly well attended shows I've seen at all of the DIY venues lately are just another indicator of the increasingly negative state of the traditional venue in the area. Unfortunately, many times you're the only one fluffing the pillow in your casket.