The Cooper Review

Spoon, The Bravery, Metric-The Midland-Kansas City (12.3.2009)

2009-12-09T11:14:00.004-06:00

Concert Review: Spoon and The Bravery 12.3.2009

8 out of 10

This was only my third or fourth time going to a 96.5 "The Buzz" concert extravaganza. I am usually disappointed in other such events (like the one at City Market with Modest Mouse!). This particular event was dubbed "The Night The Buzz Stole Christmas".

We did not make it to the opening act (Metric). Sirius likes to play one of their songs non-stop, so my efforts in getting there on time were minimal (not to say the group is bad...).

I have seen The Bravery on two other occasions and I knew better than to expect a surprise here. Their latest release "Stir the Blood" received a less than enthusiastic "yay" from me. The band played through key songs from their three albums and I sat their mildly entertained. That type of electro-glam music usually does not do much for me. Especially when the lead singer (Sam Endicott) seems like he is trying to sound British even though he is from New York. I frankly cannot understand the majority of what was being sung.

Finally the super annoying Afentra and other key-Buzz DJ's made an appearance. I am always amazed at how out of shape and dorky looking DJ's are. Anyways...Spoon started their set and I was pumped. I had only seen Spoon on one other occasion (ACL 2007) and was greatly impressed then.

I wish I could say that Spoon killed it,,,but they really did what they do,,,rock out their songs in an efficient manner. It really makes the listener/fan ask the question "Did I come here to go crazy, scream along to songs, dance around, or did I come here to listen to a tightly knit group put on a show?" Aren't the answers to these questions really supposed to go hand in hand?
Overall, I really enjoyed the sound of the show. The group is obviously well rehearsed and skilled. Britt Daniels vocals are always dead on. The sound was infinitely better than The Bravery. After listening to their summer release non-stop, "Spoon X3", a three night live album from their Austin home town favorite "Stubbs BBQ", I was happily impressed at the show. It was a calm atmosphere as the crowd seemed to be as focused on the quality as I was. I will absolutely see them the next chance I get.

Austin City Limits Music Festival-Austin-10.2-10.4.2009

2009-10-25T18:53:00.006-05:00

The Mud! Day 3

Grizzly Bear

The Avett Brothers

The Rain! Day 2

The Dead Weather

Steven, Citizen Cope (Clarence Greenwood), Rebecca

Rebecca on the lawn for Phoenix

Steven on the Lawn for the Arctic Monkeys

The Republic Tigers-The Beaumont Club-Kansas City (9.25.2009)

2009-10-25T18:00:00.005-05:00

Concert Review: The Republic Tigers 9.25.2009

6.5 out of 10

Although this was not my first time to see the Republic Tigers, it was one that I was most excited for. A friend that does not typically attend alternative type shows came along. I was not real pumped to ease him into the scene with a sometimes questionable live band, but the Tigers put on a great show! Generally the sound seems somewhat unmanaged, but there was a greater crispness to the quality on this evening. The light show at the Beaumont was the Tigers most effective one to date. The only downside was that we did not get there fast enough to see Cowboy Indian Bear. (Pic from There Stands the Glass).

The Decemberists-The Uptown-Kansas City (5.27.2009)

2009-07-24T20:56:00.004-05:00

Concert Review: The Decemberists 5.27.2009

7 out of 10

The other night Becca and I were extremely excited to see the Decemberists perform their new album/rock-opera "Hazards of Love". If you do not know the whole story line and are interested, check out this link and read about it. The thing that impressed me the most was that Colin Meloy wrote it over several years and his band was cool enough to help him put it together and perform it.

Will Hermes of the Rolling Stone described the live experience well "The Hazards of Love brings the glorious excess: There's strummy British folk rock and heavy–metal thunder, orchestral strings and a children's choir." The two women vocalist parts (Becky Stark (Lavender Diamond), Shara Worden (My Brightest Diamond) are awesome. They definitely won over the entire audience.

Overall, we both enjoyed the show and plan to see them again when they come through. They closed the rock-opera set and followed with a collection of songs from their previously released albums. We stayed for 4 or 5 tracks, but realized our 5 am work alarms were only 5 hours away :(.

-Steven

White Rabbits-It's Frightening [2009]

2009-07-24T20:24:00.003-05:00

White Rabbits-It's Frightening [2009]

7.5 out of 10
So everyone talks about how Spoon's own Britt Daniels has created and is apparently the father figure in the band that is White Rabbits. I however do not give a shit. The album is good. Although Sirius radio is seriously overplaying "Percussion Gun" (the lead track), it still makes me excited when I hear it.

Listeners will be easily attracted to the relentless two man drumming attack on the majority of the tracks. A gritty guitar and well placed vocals make this a rock album worth owning. I do not have the first album, but listening to this sophomore effort does make me wonder "what till they do next?" Their sound on this record seems so set in it's ways that it appears that it would be difficult to expand into unexplored territory without losing half of their fans and confusing the other half. I guess that is the challenge of finding staying power in today's music world.

-Steven

Franz Ferdinand-Beaumont Club-Kansas City (4.27.2009)

2009-04-30T19:02:00.017-05:00

Review: "Franz Ferdinand: Tonight"

4/27/09 Monday night, a good sized crowd packed in the Beaumont Club and listened and watched a"Rockin' awesome" band.

My highlights of the show:

The energy and musical talent of each musician on stage was amazing. Franz Ferdinand was one of those bands that I never thought I would have a chance to see. Wow. It was so cool to see a band that I have admired for a few years.

The video that was projected on a screen larger than the stage was a great touch.

Paul Thomson's drum feature with the entire band and the sweet guitar and keyboard riffs were great.

Franz Ferdinand performed all their music really well and incorporated the new and old songs with unique solos throughout. I loved Alex Kapranos's (guitar/lead singer) intensity, enthusiasm and especially his vocal range. I thought his talent stood out from beginning to end.

Franz Ferdinand's music would be classified by some as new wave indie rock music. The guitar and keyboard riffs added a unique touch to their sound.

The improvements to the Beaumont club's sound/lighting, video projector, bar and bathroom upgrades were appreciated. The Beaumont is a place I will finally go to again in order to get an up close and personal concert.

-Becca

Operation Aloha

2009-04-17T09:59:00.003-05:00

Operation Aloha supergroup to feature members of Phantom Planet, Maroon 5, Gomez and more.

For 30 days, members of Gomez, Phantom Planet and Maroon 5, amongst others, took to Hawaii and formed a supergroup called Operation Aloha. Their self-released and self-titled album, recorded in the island of Maui, will be released on May 12.

With time in between tours and recording, Gomez' Dajon Everett, Olly Peacock and Ian Ball, Maroon 5's James Valentine and Jesse Carmichael, Sam Farrar from Phantom Planet, and eight other musicians congregated in Hawaii to record some random tunes and relax.

Aside from recording an album, the month-long bohemian living experiment was photographed by Christopher Wray-McCaan. The album captures the freedom and spirit of Hawaii without the usual constraints of songwriting and recording.

By Muriel Vega on January 30, 2009

Brett Dennen-The Bottleneck-Lawrence (3.4.2009)

2009-03-08T16:36:00.011-05:00

Concert Review: Brett Dennen, March 4, 2009, The Bottleneck, Lawrence

8.5 out of 10

Our attendance of Brett Dennen's most recent show in Lawrence, Kansas marked the second time that my husband and I have been entertained by Dennen & Company. Dennen took the stage wearing an oversized flannel (reminiscent of Al Borland from Tool Time) and as usual, without shoes.

Initially, Dennen started off slowly, or perhaps, the crowd was just not ready. After 3 or 4 songs however, he began to find his groove and his voice really found it's strength. Soon the songs were flowing. His voice comes across in a very soulful manner with a nice range not expected from a 6'5", 29 year old red head. Dennen was soon dancing to his own songs and his excitement could be felt by almost everyone in the place.

Dennen's own song "Make You Crazy" employs listeners to "Speak your mind, speak your hearts" even if they will "call you crazy" and Dennen did just that after an hour or so of playing. His only interaction with the crowd consisted of a 5-minute emotional outpouring concerning one's own personal trials and struggles and rising out of those a stronger person. Some of those in the audience were irritated by the reflection, while others were very in-tune to everything he was saying. I personally connected to the things he said and enjoyed how he mended into the show.

If you would like to learn more about Dennen, his music and organizations he supports please check out his site;

http://brettdennen.net/

-Steven
-Photos by Steven

Republic Tigers Show

2009-01-30T09:35:00.003-06:00

If you have been to the Beaumont Club for almost any show, you now know that the sounds quality generally sucks. Although at times worth being able to get as close as you want to the band of your choice, the acoustics often ruin the overall experience. Much like the City Market, I try to avoid going to the venue unless the deal is too good to pass up.

I paid $10 last time I saw the Republic Tigers at the Beaumont. Their performance was as expected, but I only understood about 10% of what they were saying/singing.

Well, now is the time to try again. Tonight, the Republic Tigers are playing a show at Kansas City's new Crosstown Station. This venue is 100% better than the two previously mentioned.
If you ahve the time, check out the show at 9 om for a mere $5!

Why? Why do they do this?

2009-01-24T19:09:00.004-06:00

I'll first share the tracks and then explain.

01 Death Cab for Cutie: "Love Song" (Cure cover)
02 Katy Perry: "Black and Gold" (Sam Sparro cover)
03 DeVotchKa: "Hot Burrito #1 (I'm Your Toy)" (Flying Burrito Brothers cover)
04 Department of Eagles: "Love Me" (Elvis Presley cover)
05 Jessica Lea Mayfield: "Words of Love" (Buddy Holly cover)
06 Ben Bridwell: "Your Love Is Forever" (George Harrison cover)
07 Kate Tucker: "I'm on Fire" (Bruce Springsteen cover)
08 Rogue Wave: "Maps" (Yeah Yeah Yeahs cover)
09 A.C. Newman: "Take on Me" (a-ha cover)
10 Jem: "Yellow" (Coldplay cover)
11 Richard Hawley: "Early Morning Rain" (Gordon Lightfoot cover)
12 Daniel Martin Moore: "I Hear Music" (Billie Holiday cover)
13 She & Him: "I Put a Spell on You" (Screamin' Jay Hawkins cover)
14 Lila Downs: "My One and Only Love" (Frank Sinatra cover)

So, apparently, on January 30th, Starbucks (which i think sucks in it's own rite), will be releasing Sweetheart: Our Favorite Artists Sing Their Favorite Love Songs. This album will include the aforementioned tracks. Now normally, I would not care if skinny little hipsters with painted on nut huggin' jeans wanted to jam to out, but why do the individuals above have to help with the process? It hurts even more that Ben Bridwell is taking part. If I were in Band of Horses and Ben was trying to cover George Harrison, I would have to sit him down for an intervention. I thought bands that signed on Brushfire Records were supposed to be involved in more down to earth endeavors and as Jack Johnson says "our artists are not driven by dollar signs". It's just a "cryin', cryin', cryin' shame" that Rogue Wave is participating :(. Read from more frustrated fans at http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/148645-death-cab-for-cutie-she-him-band-of-horses-ben-bridwell-cover-love-songs-for-starbucks.

ALO [Animal Liberation Orchestra] (12.31.2009)

2009-01-07T20:54:00.006-06:00

Concert Review: ALO (Animal Liberation Orchestra), New Year's Eve 2008, The Independent, San Francisco

9 out of 10

Ridonculous. Like the Hiphop-potamus. First of all, if you have not been to an open bar in your lifetime, now is the time to go. Not one of those open bars that you have at a wedding. You know, top shelf is Jim Beam and Smirnoff. Rather, an open bar where you have to decide between Woodford or Van Winkle, Anchor Steam or Deliriums. New Year's Eve festivities will naturally ensue.

The concert was great. The Independent was of comfortable proportions and easily compared to The Granada. The show was sold out, but not to the point of over crowdedness. We were able to watch the entire show just an arm-length away from the Zach Gill's feet.

The band performed a three set show (including an encore) starting at 9 and winding down around 1:30a.m. Songs ranged from 5-12 minutes in length, but unlike aimless Phish jams, I did not lose interest. A handful of guests graced the stage adding to the cheerful vibe of the evening. It was apparent that ALO was confident and relaxed playing in their hometown of San Francisco. I can't wait until they roll through KC.

-Steven
-Photos by Steven

Best Albums of 2008

2008-12-27T20:22:00.029-06:00

Delta Spirit-Ode To Sunshine

One Day As A Lion-Self-Titled

Blitzen Trapper-Furr

Colin Meloy-Sings Live
Coldplay-Viva La Vida

Brett Dennen-Hope for the Hopeless

The Killers-Day & Age

Kings of Leon-Only By The Night Vampire Weekend-Self-Titled

The Foals-Antidotes

MGMT-Oracular Spectacular

The Kooks-Konk

Cold War Kids-Loyalty to Loyalty

Fleet Foxes-Self-Titled

The Mars Volta-The Bedlam in Goliath

TV on the Radio-Dear Science

Bon Iver-For Emma, Forever Ago

Conor Oberst-Self-Titled

-Steven and Becca

Cold War Kids-Loyalty to Loyalty

2008-10-20T12:35:00.002-05:00

7.5 out of 10

Released on September 23rd, Cold War Kids second major release is worth picking up. The band formed in Fullerton, CA and has picked up speed since. Lead singer/guitarist Johnnie Russell's voice is unique in it's own rite. It may wear on some ears eventually, but his passion for the music is evident to me.

Favorite tracks; Hospital Beds, Saint John, Against Privacy

Similar artists; Kings of Leon, Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah!, Spoon

Stupid Fact; Matt Aveiro's (drummer) cousin is Manchaster United's Ronaldo.

-Steven