My Local Top 3 (9/12/10-9/8/10)

Fall is sadly upon us and the hipster kids are exponentially growing in population. As we look ahead to this week, those hipster kids should be smiling because all three picks are indie rock studs. Indie rock is a real crapshoot live. A lot of these bands are getting so experimental in the studio that it is too difficult to translate live. Many others, however, put on a great bare-bones rock n' roll show that can't be beat. The proof is in the pudding though, don't take my word for it.

Monday 9/13
Wilbur Theatre, Boston, MA
Dirty Projectors
Owen Pallett

The Dirty Projectors really came alive last year with Bitte Orca. It was truly one of the most interesting studio releases I had listened to in a while. I haven't caught them live yet, but from what footage I've seen on the internet, they are pretty tight live as well. Dave Logstreth, the band's front man, is a very talented songwriter and one of today's most innovative guitarists.

Friday 9/17
House of Blues, Boston, MA
Broken Social Scene
The Sea and Cake

Two awesome bands that are great both live and in the studio. Broken Social Scene's latest album is as good as any they have released. I have always thought that they drew great similarity to Radiohead. That is a pretty trite thing to say at this point, but I think their creativity is groundbreaking in same sense of Radiohead's. The House of Blues is going to seem like a small venue to see this band in the not so distant future.




Saturday 9/18
Agganis Arena, Boston, MA
Pavement
Jenny Lewis

Pavement is one of the pioneer bands of indie rock. They somehow never saw the glory that the Smashing Pumpkins, Jane's Addiction, and other bands of the same genre saw in the early 90's, but 20 years later, they are regarded with an even greater importance. Stephen Malkmus is one of the greatest songwriters of modern rock and the band has influenced just about everyone. We've waited long enough for a reunion, so here's our chance.

Go see some live music this week,

Perry

My Local Top 3: 8/8/10-8/15/10

Jerry Week has ended, but summer music keeps on keepin' on in Boston. This week we have some good big shows going on and some even better ones happening behind the scenes. Before you go into panic mode about seeing an outdoor show before the end of the summer, take a look around and realize there are more than plenty of opportunities.

Wednesday 8/11
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
Buckwheat Zydeco

First Drug Rug and now Buckwheat? The MFA is becoming one of Boston's best summer music venues and they're an art museum. If you wanna have a good ole' time on a Wednesday, check out this classic New Orleans feelgood collective. Zydeco is a genre foreign to many of us New Englanders, so you might even pick up a little culture too.

Thursday 8/12
Middle East Downstairs, Lizard Lounge
Club d'Elf

Club d'Elf is one of those bands that you have probably seen, but never really realized it. These guys don't seem to play regularly like they used to, so they stick to very modest venues. Their talent and grip on funky neo-jazz is bottomless, which is what makes all of their players in high demand for other gigs in the area. When they come together, however, nothing can match it.

Friday 8/13
Rock On Concert Cruises, Boston, MA
Rubblebucket
Tigercity

Rubblebucket is one of the most fun bands to see in New England. Not only do they have numerous highly skilled players led by trumpet player Alex Toth, but they make their performances interactive and spiritual. They are shooting quickly up the rankings and to be able to see them team up with Tigercity on a cruise in Boston Harbor is pretty much the coolest.

Go see some live music this week,

Perry