Way back in October, Pitchfork handed Jacksonville 5-piece Black Kids debut EP Wizard of Ahhhs a rating of 8.4. With that sort of numerical approval and comparisons to Arcade Fire and classic Motown, the hype exploded all over the blogs. Wizard of Ahhhs was available for free download, so anyone with any shred of interest downloaded it. During 2007's CMJ Marathon, they were one of the most talked about bands, getting attention from NY Times.  In May, the young band sold out a headlining gig at Bowery Ballroom, despite having yet to release a full length album. NY Times was there again to sing more praise.

Then, on July 22, 2008, Pitchfork, who was the most influential piece in building the band up, began the process of tearing them down. Pitchfork's review of Black Kids new album Partie Tramatic was baffling. Rated with a 3.3, there was no long hyper-pretentious review, just an odd photo of 2 cute pugs with the word "sorry." This isn't Pitchfork's first silly non-review. The publication's review of Jet's "Shine On" will forever be remembered by Pitchfork loyals, and was oddly enough a good summary of the music despite the lack of words. Pitchfork's Black Kids review makes much less sense. We all understand that a 3.3 is a bad rating, but what do the cute dogs represent?

Continue reading "Black Kids Have Been Treated Unfairly"
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Despite morning rain, it was really beautiful outside by the time Brooklyn’s Akron/Family played Castle Clinton on Thursday night. The indie-folk hippies loaded up the stage with a brass section, and slowly worked their way into a really great show. It seemed to take a little while for the band to really hit their stride,
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A week after Armond White referenced UK band Ting Tings in the opening paragraph of his Hellboy II: The Golden Army review, one reader sent us a letter asking: “Who the fuck are the Ting Tings and what in god’s name do they really have to do with Hellboy II?” While I am just as
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Literally recorded in lead singer Chris Chu’s bedroom, San Francisco’s The Morning Benders have just released a free new album via their blog. Chu describes The Bedroom Covers, stating "if you want to hear some kids having a lot of fun playing some of their favorite songs ever, check these out." Simply played using acoustic
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Originally built for military purposes in 1812, Castle Clinton in Battery Park has an incredible history in which it has served as a fort, an opera house, an immigration center, and even as the New York City Aquarium. Currently, Castle Clinton acts as the gateway and ticketing office for ferries to the Statue of Liberty
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Sweat dripping down my back as I walked across Williamsburg towards McCarren Pool on Sunday afternoon, I couldn’t help but dream that it would be filled with water, rather than hipsters, dodgeballs, beer and rock bands. The heat was overwhelming, and the soles of my sneakers were melting to the concrete, but once again JellyNYC
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When I was younger, I would feel an electric charge of excitement in anticipation of a concert. Now that I see an average of 3 or 4 concerts a week, there's little time for that excitement to build up. Some concerts actually just feel like a fix to feed my crazy, crazy addiction.

By the time I got to Mercury Lounge last night, I was starting to feel that rare energetic surge of excitement. My friend and I had just witnessed a less than spectacular performance by Fiery Furnaces at the East River Amphitheater, and were looking to finish our Thursday night with something a bit more memorable.

After a short wait outside, with a group of overly-excited/obnoxious guys, we worked our way into the venue, through the narrow hallway alongside the bar, and into the performance space. Gentleman Reg was on stage, and our initial reaction was negative, but by the time we settled into a spot right up front, his performance became much more satisfying. But we were there for one reason, Broken Social Scene.

Continue reading "Broken Social Scene Finds The Magic At Mercury Lounge"

Photos by Jonny-Leather
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I was 11 years old when I first heard The Breeders. That was back when MTV played music videos, and "Cannonball" was in heavy rotation. I knew nothing about The Pixies at the time. I just really liked the song "Cannonball." Over time I'd become obsessed with the entire album, "Last Splash," which my cool older brother taped for me. Songs like "Divine Hammer," "Saints" and "Hag" became part of my mid '90s daily appetite.

Well over a decade later, my musical tastes have grown, I've become more than familiar with the greatness of The Pixies, and I've never stopped listening to "Last Splash." It's likely to remain one of those records that simply never grows old.

Having since essentially grown into alternative rock legends, The Breeders packed McCarren Pool on Sunday for 2008's 3rd installment of the free JellyNYC Pool Parties...

Continue reading "Sunday At The Pool with The Breeders"

Photos by Jonny-Leather
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In the final scene of the "Bill & Ted" sequel, "Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey," Wyld Stallyns have saved the world and finally have the ability to rock. So during our final minutes with Alex Winter as Bill S. Preston and Keanu Reeves as Ted Theodore Logan, Kiss' "God Gave Rock & Roll to You" plays, perfectly closing the movie.

On Friday night at the Fillmore, after being brought back out to the stage for one more song,'60s British rock icons The Zombies finished their set with that same exact song. Little did I know, all those years ago, that it was Argent (Rod Argent's band after The Zombies) that originally made that song a hit, not Kiss. Just as it seemed to make for the perfect finale for Bogus Journey, it also seemed totally fitting to close out their set.

Continue reading "The Zombies Gave Rock & Roll To You"

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Yesterday, I mentioned how Bettie B. Goode's championship air guitar performance resulted in a trip to the emergency room. You didn't believe me. You just couldn't imagine how strumming an air guitar for 60 seconds could end in injury. Now I'm forced to present evidence of just how insane air guitarists really are. For the horrifying picture, click here.
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