Bear Hands - Boss

Oh child I'll take all you got
All your friends and all their moms
All the lessons that they've been taught
Comin' back for them tomorrow

If I told you where I bang, you wouldn't believe me
If you taught me how to fish, I would sweep the sea clean
If I had the privilege, how would you treat me
Like I'm a rare flower, cracks in the concrete
If I told you where I bang, you wouldn't believe me
If you taught me how to fish, I would never stop eating
If I had the privilege, how would you treat me
If only, if only

Sadly, Bear Hands didn't play during weekend one of ACL, and it just wasn't realistic for us to go again this weekend.  They played first thing Friday morning (same spot as VHS Collection last week).  Anyway, you probably already know all about this solid indie quartet, as they've been releasing catchy, heartfelt tunes since 2007, but did you know this latests album You'll Pay For This was released on their own label? Look for more good music coming soon from Spensive Sounds.

Upcoming Shows

The Front Bottoms - Flying Model Rockets

Flying model rockets own the sky in the backyard next to mine
I get these strange phone calls at night with no one on the other side
My brother's friend explains to me with breathless words and bloody knees
It's a black eyed trust, respect with pain.
A love I'll learn when I've been through the same.

We saw eclectic indie punkers The Front Bottoms last Saturday at ACL and it was a great time, as expected. They've been on my list to see for a little while, and I had a good idea they'd be as entertaining as they were.

Based on their feel good sound and clever, snarky lyrics I had a pretty good idea that Kerri would love them too, and she did. If you're into dark humor meshed with catchy, butt wiggle-inducing music in the vein of Violent Femmes, Saves The Day or The Dead Milkmen, you should check them out. Start anywhere, it's all good. I went with "Flying Model Rockets" as today's Most Important because it's actually different for them in that it's fairly straight-ahead. And also a great song.

Upcoming Shows

Okkervil River - Unless It's Kicks

What gives this mess some grace
Unless it's fictions
Unless it's licks, man
Unless it's lies or it's love

What breaks this heart the most
Is the ghost of some rock 'n' roll fan
Exploding up from the stands
With her heart opened up

And I wanna tell her, your love isn't lost
Say, my heart is still crossed
Scream, you're so wonderful
What a dream in the dark

About working so hard
About growing so stoned
Trying not to turn up
Trying not to believe in the light on your own
La, la, la, la, oh, oh, oh, oh

"Unless It's Kicks" is one of my favorite songs. I can still recall clearly seeing Okkervil River at The Gorge years ago, Will Sheff drunkenly belting lyrics into his microphone as if he were at a house party full of friends instead of a vast space full of festival goers. It's a great memory and I'm stoked to make some more tonight when we see them in their hometown and my current.

Good music will be flowing tonight at The Parish and I can't wait. For those who can't be there to bear witness, I give you today's Most Important Song. Turn it up and sing along!

Upcoming Shows

Karma Wears White Ties - Man on the Moon

Stole them all, stole them all
Where's he gone?
Stole them all, stole them all
There he goes
Took the moon and the earth and he sold them both
He's a man on the moon!

These guys are so up my alley, we should go bowling. Young Chicago trio Karma Wears White Ties have released four EPs, starting in 2012. Their latest, Wesley, is five solidly sweet tracks that I had trouble deciding between. So I didn't. Went with this mood-shifting song that makes some fun choices on the guitar, from their first EP. Hope I get to enjoy them live some day! 

Upcoming Shows

Kishi Bashi - Hey Big Star

Hey Big Star, you shine too bright
I'm in love with you, I'm your comet tonight
Swept me away in your blinding sun
We'll melt someday into each other

Sonderlust, the latest album from string- and pop-wizard Kishi Bashi came out last week and it's fantastic.  The first single, "Hey Big Star", highlights what makes them great. It's fun, a bit dancy and infused with a quirky, infectious sound that's very uniquely Kishi Bashi.

The video is quite endearing as well.

Upcoming Shows