November 6th, 2009

Good Cause Alert: Imagine There’s No Hunger

Tonight, the Hard Rock Cafe Philadelphia (1113-31 Market St.) teams up with World Hunger Year (WHY) to kick off their month-long Imagine There’s No Hunger campaign to fight global hunger and poverty with performances from Man on Earth and Dive. Those planning to attend are asked to bring a donation of non-perishable food, or to give a monetary donation to Philabundance, the Delaware Valley’s largest hunger relief organization. Tonight’s show begins at 10 p.m. Here’s the two other Imagine There’s No Hunger events coming up at the Hard Rock :

Friday, November 13th: Recent Hours and Evolv [10pm]

Friday, November 20th: Kasim Sulton with Paul Green School of Rock alumni band Parachuting Apostles [10pm]

November 6th, 2009

Cold Cave: “Love Comes Close”

Despite their having canceled next week’s scheduled Kung Fu Necktie show for whatever reason, we can’t be too mad at Cold Cave. In fact, congratulations are in order for a big week in which their album Love Comes Close got released by Matador Records. Have you seen this video yet? It’s pretty cool:

If you haven’t bought the album yet, you can stream the whole thing for free over at Matador to help you decide.

November 6th, 2009

This Weekend In Shows

Tonight:

Swimmers
7pm, $10. Kung Fu Necktie.
Philadelphia quartet the Swimmers celebrate the release of their tremendous new album People Are Soft—the band’s second on Drexel’s MAD Dragon Records—which you’ll get for free if you picked up advance tickets for this gig. Pretty sweet deal, because People Are Soft is an irresistible indie-pop/nü-wave platter, with synthesizers both buzzy and billowy joining up with sturdy beats, the occasional bite of guitar, and charismatic guy-girl vocals in a manner that occasionally feels like Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark for a new generation of romantic misfits that like to dance once in a while. (Michael Alan Goldberg)

Armen Donelian
5pm, $12-$16. Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Born in Queens in 1950, pianist Armen Donelian is one of today’s unassuming jazz masters, boasting early sideman credits with the likes of Mongo Santamaria, Sonny Rollins and Billy Harper. His latest output includes Grand Ideas, a three-volume solo-piano series; All or Nothing at All, a tightly focused duo album with Dutch saxophonist Marc Mommaas; Quartet Language, unearthed from 1992, with the late altoist Thomas Chapin; and Oasis, featuring bassist David Clark and drummer George Schuller, the longtime trio cohorts who join him this week at the Museum. Donelian’s got a pensive, lyrical streak a mile wide, but don’t underestimate his ability to swing hard and throw punches. (David R. Adler)

Also, Twin Cities rapper Brother Ali headlines First Unitarian Church along with Evidence, Toki Wright, and BK One [8pm/$13-$15]; Toy Soldiers come to the North Star along with TJ Kong & the Atomic Bomb, Backwords, the Great Unknown, and Padre Pio [8pm/$8]; Wolfmother headlines Electric Factory [8:30pm/$25-$28]; and the Walkmen and the Pains of Being Pure at Heart team up for the SPEC Fall Show at the University of Pennsylvania’s Irvine Auditorium [8pm/$10-$15].

November 5th, 2009

Spectrum Seats Going On Sale Monday

As you might expect, a handful of people at last Saturday’s Spectrum-closing Pearl Jam show tried to smuggle some seats out of the building on their way home. Ultimately, they were denied that impressive souvenir by intrepid venue security, who clearly knew the value in the beat-up maroon seats that have absorbed countless cheers and guitar chords  — and a scary amount of pot smoke — over the past 40+ years. I’m pretty sure you can get a nice buzz just by sniffing the vinyl for a couple minutes.

You can try that little experiment yourself if you feel like opening up your wallet next week. Starting Monday, November 9th at 10 a.m., Comcast-Spectacor will start taking orders from people who want to own either a pair of Spectrum seats ($395, pictured above), a single seat ($295, pictured below), or a folding chair ($195, pictured below). You can place your order either at RememberTheSpectrum.com or via phone at (215) 952-5691. Part of the proceeds from the sale of the seats will go to the Comcast-Spectacor Foundation, which benefits numerous charities throughout the Philly region.

November 5th, 2009

CYHSY Looks Finished, For Real.

Although Alec Ounsworth hasn’t really come right out and said it — though he hinted at it to Rolling Stone, and I got a similar feeling when I spoke with the singer/multi-instrumentalist a couple weeks ago — I think it’s fairly safe to say at this point that Clap Your Hands Say Yeah is done for good. That may be due in part to Ounsworth being emboldened by the fine critical reception to his new solo debut, Mo Beauty: “The sharpest arrangements and best songwriting of his short career Almost every tune on Mo Beauty equals or betters those on CYHSY’s lauded 2005 debut,” enthused Spin; “A balanced, evocative work,” noted Pitchfork, which gave the album a 7.7. Another factor in CYHSY’s likely demise — Ounsworth’s current devotion to Flashy Python, his long-running side project-turned-main focus, which played a stellar set two weeks ago at the TLA opening for Dr. Dog.

It’s just been announced that the quintet — which has been playing Flashy Python, Mo Beauty, and, interestingly, revamped Clap Your Hands Say Yeah songs live — is set to open four shows for Cold War Kids in January (in L.A., San Francisco, New York, and Chicago) and then plans to spend all of 2010 on the road. So it appears that after a couple of years of hinting at CYHSY’s demise, Ounsworth’s actions suggest the group is finally done for good. Of course, everyone reunites, so maybe we should just stay tuned for the 2011 comeback. Meanwhile, when we hear about the next Flashy Python date in Philly, we’ll let you know.

November 5th, 2009

Cold Cave Out, Cave In…In.

In case you hadn’t heard (or if you’re holding tickets) Philly synth-postpunks Cold Cave — who recently followed in the footsteps of Kurt Vile and signed to Matador Records — have canceled their gig scheduled for next Wednesday, November 11, at Kung Fu Necktie. We haven’t been able to ascertain a reason; perhaps with all the buzz they’ve already outgrown the venue, but who knows? You can get a refund for your tix at the point of purchase.

Meanwhile, in other “Cave bands” news, Boston prog-hardcore vets Cave In — who went on “indefinite hiatus” back in 2006 — have reunited and they’re coming to First Unitarian Church on November 18th behind their recently released Hydra Head EP Planets of Old.

If we hear any news about Nick Cave, Caves, or the Cavedogs, we’ll be sure to pass that along…

November 5th, 2009

Tonight In Shows

Dar Williams
8pm, $33-$35. Sellersville Theater.
The folkie scene sometimes seems like a gated community where artists find stultifying acceptance dulling their creative edge until they’re unsuitable for anyone else. Clever stories and turns of phrase won’t rescue bland accompaniment—this isn’t a poetry slam. Dar Williams has avoided this pitfall during her 17-year career, plying a sweet cooing croon and smart writing in arrangements mixing rock and pop with strong folk undercurrents. The last three albums have been particularly engaging, showcasing the breadth of Williams talent from chamber warmth to jangly rave-ups. Brad Wood keenly produced the excellent stripped-down rock/pop of last year’s Promised Land, highlighted by the shrewd take on Milgram’s obedience experiment, “Buzzer.” (Chris Parker)

Thao Nguyen and the Get Down Stay Down
8pm, $12. First Unitarian Church.
“Sad people dance, too,” says Thao Nguyen, on the closing track of her latest Know Better Learn Faster. That’s “Easy,” the bass-driven break-out from Know Better, which may just be the year’s most raucous break-up albums. It’s brutally honest, laceratingly self-revealing, earthily sexual and, surprisingly, kind of a good time. Nguyen, on a roll since her 2006 We Brave Bee Stings and All, has honed a vibrant, eccentric sound through constant touring—equal parts pop, country blues and confessional songwriting. Portland Cello Project, whose own repertoire ranges from classical to Justin Timberlake, usually joins her on stage for a couple of songs, too. (Jennifer Kelly)

Also, the Get Up Kids play the Troc along with Kevin Devine and the Life & Times [7:30pm/$20.50-$23]; the Hidden Cameras headline Johnny Brenda’s [9pm/$10]; and Pete Yorn comes to Electric Factory [8:30pm/$20-$23].