Lost! Coldplay.

Here are a couple of photos of Coldplay playing a free show at Rockafeller Center. I woke up at the crack of dawn for this. And promptly left right after their sound check.





It hit me as I was smothered between the diehard fans and tourists with their humongous signs, that Coldplay is… well, overrated. My mood might have been determined by the Coldplay zealot I was smushed against, who regularly reaffirmed her love for Chris Martin at seven minute intervals, ( “Did you know that he’s like, the cutest guy ever?”) or maybe the fact that she never set down her sign, even when the stage was empty, and made sure everyone felt the wrath of her enthusiasm. (You’re a fan. Great. I get it.) However, it was probably a combination of the company, and the realization that their music bored me to tears.

As I wiped the sleep from my eyes, and watched them tune up, I asked myself, “Why the hell am I here?” I mean, I loved the Violet Hill vid, but I suppose I was expecting the live act to live up to the hype. To be fair, it is a lot of hype, and it was a free show after all. As I see it, they don’t have very good luck with free shows. I wonder how many people who showed up at MSG were disappointed that their beloved rock god can’t remember the lyrics to his own songs. Their fans are loyal. Believe me, I was hit in the head with a sign by one. Hopefully the rest of their tour will go more smoothly.

As for me, Lovers in Japan is a great song. So is Violet Hill. I will always have Parachutes. But I won’t be shelling out money to see them any time soon.

Twice Is the Only Way to Live

Far-fetched storylines, and a smartly dressed man-whore make up franchise known as Bond—James Bond. And just as Daniel Craig put his mark on the character, The Postmarks have decided to put their own spin on this classic Bond theme.

Sometime between 3am and 4am, I listened to their cover of “You Only Live Twice*,” on repeat, endlessly lulled by Tim Yehezkely’s soothing voice. She’s a girl with a boy name. Don’t you just love that? Not that Nancy Sinatra didn’t rock the original, but I love the mellowness of this version. It’s so easy to get swept away.

The Postmarks- You Only Live Twice

The song is featured on a compilation of cover songs called “By The Numbers,” which you can download for free at eMusic. To get the songs and find out more about The Postmarks, visit their myspace page.

*Are we feeling nostalgic? Rent the movie.

Amy Has Emphysema

Amy Winehouse's father reports that his daughter has an early stage of emphysema, most definitely caused by her cigarette and crack cocaine smoking. Read the full story here.

It's All About Air Control

Just goes to show you that you don't need fancy instruments to make music.



Nothin' but respect for kazoos.

Chance of Rain

Vicious conditions
Many moons full, I wonder?
One contradiction

Built To Spill- The Weather

(buy Ancient Melodies of the Future)

Shake Your Tambourine

These days I’m getting into a band called The Duke Spirit, with a fresh faced gal named Liela Moss as the lead singer. She’s got Sharin Foo’s haircut, Grace Slick’s spirit, and an attitude to boot. Although they’re billed as more of a soul/altrock/grunge group, The Duke Spirit’s aural persona sounds like a modern day Jefferson Airplane, which is fitting since they are a fixture on the festival circuit. Times have changed since the Monterey Pop Fest, but musical roots are alive in the bands today.

The Duke Spirit will be appearing at the All Points West in New Jersey, and the American Eagle Music Festival in Philly. Don’t forget to pack your tambourines!

The Duke Spirit- The Step & The Walk
(Buy the new album, Neptune)
(myspace)

Watch the video for their single:

One Year Later

Maria Taylor- A Good Start
(Buy Lynn Teeter Flower)

If this lovely lady sounds familiar to you, you might recognize her better from her other act with Orenda Fink, known as Azure Ray. I’m a big fan of Azure Ray, and was sad when they disbanded in 2004, but they’ve both gone on to lucrative solo acts. “A Good Start” is fuel for my inner optimist, the girl who agrees with solitude and intuition. Only you know what’s best for you. I can’t even stress that enough.

Nearly one year ago, I started this blog as a place to share my musical tastes, and as motivation to get out and cover some wicked shows. Have I succeeded? Meh, maybe. I have enjoyed getting to know some of my readers better, and getting acquainted with smaller, independent artists whose talent and persistence in this harsh business continually leave me in awe. How do you do it? However, I do apologize for not updating as often as I should. I’m going through some career turbulence right now which prevents me from focusing attention here more often. But I promise, when all this blogging stuff stops being fun, or when giant speakers finally do in my ear drums, (whichever comes first), is the day I retire my bloggy keyboard for good. Until then, do as Rihanna says, and "Please don't stop the music!"

Here’s to fragments of progress.