Andrew Bird Photo Gallery

Last Wednesday, indie rocker and world champion whistler Andrew Bird kicked off his 2008 US tour at the Grand Sierra Resort's Grand Theatre in Reno, Nevada. Bird premeired five songs from his upcoming album. A full review will be forthcoming as soon as I get a free second. Until then, enjoy the gallery.

The Fastest Review Alive: Kate Nash "Made of Bricks"

Welcome to 2008 B-Siders. As part of our continuing revamp, we present you with our newest feature: THE FASTEST REVIEW ALIVE. In the FRA, we will review an album, giving you as complete a snapshot as possible, in depth analysis and insight all in under 100 words. Let us know what you think. First up: the stateside debut from the UK songstress Kate Nash, "Made of Bricks".

FRA: Made of Bricks - Kate Nash

Eclectic, experimental pop music with a quirky and playful sensibility permeates this album which is grounded by Nash's distinctive vocals, a sort of hybrid of Regina Spektor and Lily Allen. Since the album's release in the UK, Nash has quickly risen from "critic's darling" to an authentic and genuine artist and rightfully so. Reggae infused riffs, brassy yet delicate phrasing, and no straight forward, nonsense lyrics make this a bonafide hit. Features the singles "Foundations" and "Dickhead". While Made of Bricks may just be hitting the states now, this album is universal.

Review: Interpol's "Our Love to Admire"

Interpol does what they do best on their newest effort, Our Love To Admire, due to drop July 10 via Capitol records. The band's first two Matador albums sold more than 1 million copies combined. The album's first single, "The Heinrich Maneuver" is an up tempo slam for an ex-love now living on the opposite coast and hits radio on May 7.

With tracks like the tense and driving "No I in Threesome" and the unrelenting "Mammoth," both are brimming with Daniel Kessler's straight ahead, driving guitar and Carlos D's formidable bass underpinning provides the album with a verifiable sonic avalanche.

There are also some delightful new experiments on the album which begin with the sprawling and funereal, "Pioneer to the Falls" nearly six minutes long, which features Morrison-esque voicing from Banks, and wraps with another uncharacteristically ambient, "The Lighthouse." Finally, the band offers up hints of soul that seep into the "Rest My Chemistry" ("I've slept for two days / I've bathed in nothing but sweat," Banks sings) and "Pace Is the Trick."

With an adherence to a winning formula and the bravery to take creative risks, Our Love to Admire is Interpol's finest offering to date.

mp3: Interpol - "The Heinrich Maneuver"

Decemberists play The Pageant Theatre

Oregon’s Indie darlings The Decemberists played the Pageant Theatre in Saint Louis, MO with guests My Brightest Diamond on Saturday April 14, 2007 as they continued their Dangerous Forest tour.

My Brightest Diamond kicked off the night with a full on rock set complete with an onstage wipeout by lead (and trained opera singer) Shara Worden. Decked out in matching white leisure suits, MBD channeled their inner Jeff Buckleys and destroyed a short but raucous set which left many in the house noticeably impressed. Worden matches the vocal theatrics of Kate Bush the soulful seductiveness of Nina Simone, and the gothic pop of Portishead, for an altogether unique sound. While her vocal lines may mimic Puccini, her guitar style parallels PJ Harvey.

The Decemberists delved into their back catalogue and worked their way forward throughout the evening playing tunes from both Picaresque as well as The Crane Wife. From Colin Meloy's quavery voice and hyper-literate lyrics to the band's musical and stylistic eclectisim, which includes among others baroque, celtic, pop, prog rock, and dozens of other instrumental variations and styles, there was something for everyone in the house.

The Oregonian octet presented an impressively eclectic effort that was seamless and cohesive. Meloy and company engaged in some traditional and albeit somewhat expected theatrics including a sing along during an expansive rendition of “Sixteen Military Wives” (which included some pointed political punditry), a blistering version of “O Valencia!”, and a delicate, haunting rendition of “Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home Then)” with Shara Worden from My Brightest Diamond. The show’s highlight however was the sprawling encore “The Mariner’s Revenge Song” with solos aplenty, audience participation (wails and moans on cue), and a low-to-no budget “stage whale” which ate the band. The evening’s only disappointment of was the lack of period dress which the stage whale more than made up for. Be sure to check out photos from the concert in our photo gallery.