Phantogram - You Don't Get Me High Anymore

Running through emergency rooms
Spinning wheels and ceiling fans
My hand shake, cellophane landscape
Mannequin, faking it the best that I can
Cadillac, Cadillac red
No hands on the steering wheel
I’m crashing this UFO save-a-ho puppet show
Obliterate the way I feel

Really liking this brand new release from Phantogram. A few years ago I met their (then) manager while we were both watching a Seahawks game in the sports bar tent at ACL and that cemented the band on my radar. I'm not a huge fan of the collab with Outkast's Big Boi (his 2012 album and 2015's Big Grams) so I'm relieved that this feels like a return to, or touching base with, what I love about them (I mean, in addition to having a manager who is a huge fan of my 'Hawks).  Looks like I'll get the chance to see them again in November at the new Sound on Sound Fest!

Upcoming Shows

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Robot Stop

My body's overworked
It's just the same I know
When can my body work
Cold static overload?
My body works, I know
It's just the same, I know
My only difference
Is robot influence

This week has been all about the awesomely named King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard. I know right? With a name like that they kind of have to be amazing. Well, this band from Melbourne, Australia doesn't disappoint. They're as weird and fun as their name implies. Some serious head-banging, trance-inducing, air-guitaring awesomeness. So, yeah, let Nonagon Infinity open the door and fill your ears with some quirky, hard-driving rock.

Upcoming Shows

Tame Impala - The Less I Know The Better

I was doing fine without ya
'Til I saw your face, now I can't erase
Giving in to all his bullshit
Is this what you want, is this who you are?
I was doing fine without ya
'Til I saw your eyes turn away from mine
Oh, sweet darling, where he wants you
Said, "Come on Superman, say your stupid line"

A few months ago, I was frankly obsessed with the final track "New Person, Same Old Mistakes" from the most recent Tame Impala album which includes "The Less I Know The Better." It is a more hopeful story than this one (bonus: it's featured in the trailers for the upcoming FX show Atlanta, AND Rihanna covered it perfectly on her new album Anti). Anyhoo, Kevin Parker (the singer/songwriter/producer) says this one (LIKTB) belongs on their album the least because it is too "dorky white disco funk" but that's probably what's made it the most popular on Spotify. That or how strongly people identify with a story of unrequited love.

Upcoming Shows

Parquet Courts - Berlin Got Blurry

Loud mouth living got you some attention
And second chances given without doubt
'Guess you've got a history but it's not worth a mention tonight

Parquet Courts are awesomely unique. Their style is kind of a mix between punk and roadhouse rock, like if Johnny Cash were to have got his start fronting The Jam. They've been putting out some really solid releases, at a fairly rapid pace, and their latest Human Performance is terrific.

Upcoming Shows

Ted Leo & The Pharmacists - Mia and Mia

Sick to death of my dependence,
Fighting food to find transcendence.
Fighting to survive.
More dead, but more alive.
Cigarettes and speed to live,
And sleeping pills to feel forgiven.
All that you contrive, 
And all that you're deprived.

I mentioned Ted Leo yesterday, and it got me thinking about him, so let's do something of his shall we? Having no idea where to start, as I'm a fan of just about everything he does, we'll go with "Me and Mia", a song that illustrates the best of what he brings to music; thoughtful and clever songwriting paired with a hard hitting yet upbeat pop rock sensibility that is unmatched in my opinion. There's a lot I more could say, but I'll let the music speak for itself. Give it a listen.

If you like this, you can pretty much pick up anything he's done and go from there, but I'd also highly suggest catching him live if you can. His shows are always entertaining and he's one of the best live acts around.

Upcoming Shows