100 Shows of 2010 - #33: The Brian Jonestown Massacre/The Young Sinclairs @ 9:30 Club, 6/9/10

Now this, this is what I’m talkin’ about right here. Take one of my favorite bands of all-time, in this case The Brian Jonestown Massacre, throw in those darling upstarts/reigning Best Band In The Commonwealth of Virginia, in this case The Young Sinclairs, and have them play together at the best club in, well, anywhere, in this case the 9:30 Club, and amazingness will undoubtedly ensue. And sure enough, ensue it did.

MINI RECAP: The Brian Jonestown Massacre = Too Good! The Young Sinclairs = Too Good! Overall score: A.

By now, I’ve lost count of just how many times I’ve seen The Young Sinclairs (otherwise known as the pride of Roanoke) over the past couple of years. I’m sure I’ve said it before, but this band just gets better and better with each and every live outing. Having seen them handle themselves so well here with such legendary heavyweights, I think it’s safe to say these boys are destined for success. It made me more than a little proud to see them pass their 9:30 Club test with such flying colors. Their psych revivalism is the perfect fit for an opening slot with The BJM, and their pitch-perfect harmonies and overall lush sound filled the club beautifully. They jingled and jangled and popped all over the place, and frankly that Sam has gotten pretty precociously sassy up there in his frontman duties. Cor, blimey! They left it all on the stage, from their idyllic dreamscapes to their more British Invasion tunes. They’re all grown up, and they were sensational. Watch this space, that’s for damn sure.

And then it was time, for the second glorious time in two glorious days, for more of my beloved Brian Jonestown Massacre. Their set was very much like the Philadelphian set of the night before, which surprised me just a little, as I was expecting a whole different set. But I suppose when what you’re doing is so good, well, there’s no reason to change it. It could just be because I love the 9:30 and do not love the TLA, but I got the sense the band was a little more into the show on this night. Anton was just as withdrawn to start, and by the time second song “Vacuum Boots” had finished I’m pretty sure he still had yet to even glance at the crowd. But genius can be peculiar.

During a rather fabulous version of “Wasted” off the fabulous Methodrone record, Joel totally made me love him even more by rocking not two, not even three, but four maracas (two in each hand, of course). “Servo” was amazing, and got the kids shakin’ and shimmyin’ in the audience. “Anemone” was utterly transcendent, giving me chills and goosebumps and a tingly spine all at the same time. That has to be one of the most perfectly seductive songs, musically-speaking, of all-time. “Jennifer” was great once again, Anton still an island over on the left of the stage, but the band totally in top form all around him. “Wisdom” just about brought me to tears with that powerful psychgaze swirl. The Matt Hollywood classic “Not If You Were The Last Dandy On Earth” was perfect as usual, “Who?” was perfect as usual, and “That Girl Suicide”, well, that too was perfect as usual. The band finished strong with “Oh Lord” and “Satellite”, and then they were gone, having so successfully given the people what we so lustily clamored for.

Dear friends, I must say, it was one of my top shows of the year thus far. Seeing this show at this club is a special thing indeed. If you’re not already on The Young Sinclairs’ bandwagon, get right to it, and if you haven’t yet seen the BJM yet (or even if you have), make sure to get out there and experience them for yourselves. These bands are musical salvation. Let the good times roll, indeed.

mp3: Oh Lord (The Brian Jonestown Massacre from Take It From The Man!)

Megan's Top 25 of 2009: 25-21

What a group that kicks things off in this first set of five. We’ve got beloved old friends, wonderful new friends, and a rather humorous not-Australian folk-parody duo. Here’s the skinny on the first fifth of albums in my top 25 of 2009.

Beloved Welsh spacestonerpopsters Super Furry Animals get things going at #25 with yet another great record. While it didn’t quite make me fall in love as much as others (And I’ll say right not that if you don’t own the classic Furries record Fuzzy Logic, hang your head in shame), Dark Days/Light Years is still a mighty fine listen. How can you not dig an album with a song called “Crazy Naked Girls?” The bonus being that it, like so many songs here, is quirky, wacky, and unmistakably Super Furry. SFA is definitely, definitely still ok.

mp3: Crazy Naked Girls (Super Furry Animals from Dark Days/Light Years)

I’m going to go out on a limb here and declare The Young Sinclairs not only #24 on my Top 25, but also one of the top 5 bands in all of this here great Commonwealth of Virginia. Who knows, they might even be the best within state lines. Pay attention to the name, friends, because trust me this band could (and should) get big. Songs of The Young Sinclairs isn’t technically a “new” record, it’s a collection of songs pulled from various Sinclair records and EPs. Released on Kindercore, it shows off their brand of neo-psych that takes heavy cues from the California sound of the 60s.

mp3: Cancelled Flight (The Young Sinclairs from Songs of The Young Sinclairs)

The Raveonettes return with yet another record of shoegaze-cum-surfy retro pop, sitting pretty at #23. While not quite as mind-blowing as 2008’s Lust Lust Lust, In and Out of Control is a darned fine record. And I’ve gotta get behind a record with the whole “Boys Who Rape (Should Be Destroyed)” thing. It’s a little bit dark, but these Danes sure know how to make misery sound beautiful.

mp3: Breaking Into Cars (The Raveonettes from In and Out of Control)

The darling Kiwis of Flight of The Conchords might have broken hearts (including mine) by announcing their hit HBO show wouldn’t return for a third season, but they also induced some serious giggles with their second collection of ridiculously amusing songs. I Told You I Was Freaky is full of comedic highs, some of my favorites being the saucy ode to the other male anatomy, “Sugalumps,” the absolutely hilarious “Too Many Dicks (On The Dancefloor)” to which we owe the terms “brodeo” and “bro-ho ratio,” and the somewhat bizarre Russian folk epic about cannibalism on the high seas, “Petrov, Yelyena and Me.”

mp3: Sugalumps (Flight of The Conchords from I Told You I Was Freaky)

Elvis: quite a big name to fill, but #21 Elvis Perkins does admirably. “Come with me/I’ll take you anywhere,” he croons deliciously in “Hey,” and I believe him hook, line, and sinker. Elvis Perkins in Dearland is filled with glorious swirling tracks and Perkins’ buttery voice. First song “Shampoo” was my introduction to the record, and it’s just one of the lovely tunes that await the listener.

mp3: Doomsday (Elvis Perkins in Dearland from Elvis Perkins in Dearland)

And there you have it, friends, part one of...several. Stay tuned for further revelations, coming soon.