On the Guest Apartment - Plants and Animals

Watch the full concert at baeblemusic.com

[mp3] Plants and Animals: "Tom Cruz"

Ok. So we stopped listening to the new Delorean album, Subiza long enough to do a post here.

Either you know or you don't, but the Montreal-based band Plants and Animals just released their sophomore album, La La Land on April 20 via Secret City Recordings. Their debut LP, Parc Avenue turned a few heads here at Stark, enough so that there was some mild-excitement and anticipation toward their second album. Not to seem lazy here, but we honestly don't know what to think about La La Land --  Pitchfork gave it a 6.1 so, maybe we'll just use that as our own bench mark. We'll give it a 6.2. Yeah. That's not lazy. That sounds like the best plan.

Above is a really intimate performance and interview via Bable Music's "Guest Apartment" features. Standout track of this session is definitely "Kon Tiki" -- right about in the middle of performance.




After the jump.

Two More Reasons to Be Excited

So it's all been building up to this after Andrew scored the exclusive scoop that Dr. Dog had signed to Anti Records months and months ago. Shame Shame comes out April 6th with a 10 week tour to follow (after the jump). The press release promises that:

The stylistic reference points of Dr. Dog remain on Shame, Shame but with a darker tone. It's an album whose themes of doubt, confusion and unanswered questions are soothed by bright harmonies, taut guitar riffs and soaring melodies.

[mp3] Plants and Animals: "Tom Cruz"

Plants and Animals have announced their new album La La Land, which Secret City will release on April 20th. Their first track "Tom Cruz" is available above. We saw Plants and Animals open for Blitzen Trapper, and honestly, it wasn't the best show. Yet, this is a band with much promise and talent, so we are excited to hear what their music sounds like now they are a bit older. The press release reports a larger rock sound that is more mature and focused, yet still original and eclectic. Sounds good to us.

DR. DOG TOUR DATES (more to be announced):

January 27 Revolution Hall Troy, NY *
January 28 Higher Ground Burlington, VT *
January 29 Lupo's Providence, RI *
January 30 Westcott Theatre Syracuse, NY *
February 1 Mohawk Place Buffalo, NY *
February 3 The Pike Room Pontiac, MI *
February 4 Turner Hall Milwaukee, WI *
February 5 High Noon Saloon Madison, WI *
February 6 The Mill Iowa City, IA *
February 8 Waiting Room Omaha, NE *
February 9 Rock Island Brewing Co. Rock Island, IL *
February 10 Case Western University Cleveland, OH *
February 11 Video Saloon Bloomington, IN *
February 12 Newport Music Hall Columbus, OH *
February 13 State Theatre State College, PA *
April 14 Lee's Place Toronto, ON
April 15 Blind Pig Ann Arbor, MI
April 16 Metro Chicago, IL
April 17 Fine Line Minneapolis, MN
April 19 Belly Up Aspen, CO
April 20 Gothic Theatre Denver, CO
April 22 Neuroluz Boise, ID
April 23 Wonder Ballroom Portland, OR
April 24 Great American Music Hall San Francisco, CA
April 25 Great American Music Hall San Francisco, CA **
April 27 Henry Fonda Los Angeles, CA **
April 29 Santa Fe Brewing Company Santa Fe, NM **
April 30 The Loft Dallas, TX **
May 1 Emo's Outside Austin, TX **
May 2 Warehouse Live Studio Houston, TX **
May 3 Majestic Fayetteville, AR **
May 5 Workplay Birmingham, AL **
May 6 Cannery Ballroom Nashville, TN **
May 7 Headliners Louisville, KY **
May 11 Paradise Boston, MA **
May 12 Paradise Boston, MA **
May 13 Electric Factory Philadelphia, PA **
May 14 9:30 Club Washington, DC **
May 15 Terminal 5 New York, NY **

* With The Growlers
** With Deertick

International Tour Dates:

May 23 Magnet Berlin, Germany
May 24 Blue Shell Koln, Germany
May 25 Paradiso Amsterdam, Netherlands
May 26 Tabernacle London, UK
May 27 Nouveau Casino Paris, FR
May 29 Primavera Sound Barcelona, Spain

Alela Diane DUMBO Session, MHOW Show

via P4K.tv

UPDATE: You can download the entire show (including Alela) from the previous night @ Bowery via NYC Taper!

Saturday night found a stacked line-up at the Music Hall of Williamsburg, featuring Blitzen Trapper, Plants and Animals, and Alela Diane. We were most excited to see how Alela's lovely West-coast folk translated to the big stage, and weren't surprised at the more than successful results. Backed by her Dad (see video) and a full band of bass, drums and back-up singer, the set was a mix of ancient-sounding folk tunes, and a little too much modern-hippie crunchiness. The latter makes no appearance on Diane's fantastic new LP To Be Still, and was not enough to sink the overall feel of the set driven most by Diane's impeccable voice and mature songwriting. The show left us convinced that Diane is indeed the real deal (which we kinda already knew) and also with a healthy crush on fantastic back-up singer Alina Hardin. Sorry, had to say it. For our thoughts on Plants and Animals and the headliner Blitzen Trapper see after the jump.


Plants and Animals started off on shaky ground, debuting some new material and drawing on songs from their largely excellent LP, Park Avenue. There was something off-putting about lead singer Warren Spicer's stage presence (huge mustache?) but the musicianship of the mostly bass-less power trio was strong and precise. The second half of the set picked up considerably finding a soaring high during their best song "Mercy". The set ended on a low-note as P&A tended to lean on unnecessary jams and Spinal Tap-esqe prog stylings. To our dismay, they failed to close the evening with "Big Bottom."

Capping off a night of dichotomy, Blitzen Trapper varied between their country-rock image and their country-folk image. Lead singer Eric Earley made it clear Blitzen Trapper was the vehicle for his songs. Whether it was his larger than life on-stage ego, or his solo set mid-show, Earley was clearly the center piece of the evening. Yet, it just so happens that his songs and voice were damn good. The mid-show acoustic section proved the highlight, featuring the crowd pleaser "Furr" and the excellent murder ballad "Black River Killer" plus pseudo-traditional "Cocaine." The electric full-band tunes felt a few clicks shy of tempo - but were well executed and certainly fulfilling. Overall, we'd give Saturday night a "B." We would certainly see Alela Diane again, once was enough for Plants and Animals, and depending on circumstances, would make it out to another Blitzen Trapper show.

Tour Alert: Plants and Animals + Video + MP3

[mp3]

Plants and Animals - "Bye Bye Bye"

2008's release, Parc Avenue, found Canada's Plants and Animals adrift in quality accolades. Among those most notable, an 8.0 from the coveted Pitchfork camp. In the realm of experimental rock (see: "Mercy,") Parc Avenue at times, also teeters on the edge of folk-rock-pop (see: "Bye Bye Bye," "New Kind of Love," and "Sea Shanty.") As 2009 begins to pick up speed, Plants and Animals are booked on a solid set of North American tour dates, hoping to parley the successes of their 2008 release into even more choice press. Good luck. Tour dates, including some w/ Blitzen Trapper (we'll be at the NY shows,) after the jump.


TOUR DATES
FRI February 27 - NEW YORK, NY - Bowery Ballroom (w/ Blitzen Trapper)
SAT February 28 - BROOKLYN, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg (w/ Blitzen Trapper)
SUN March 1 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - DC9
MON March 2 - PHILADELHIA, PA - Johnny Brenda’s
TUE March 3 - CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - Is Venue
WED March 4 - ATLANTA, GA - The Earl
FRI March 6 - AUSTIN, TX - The Mohawk
SAT March 7 - DENTON, TX - Hailey's
MON March 9 - PHOENIX, AZ - Modified
TUE March 10 - SAN DIEGO, CA – Casbah
WED March 11 – POMONA, CA – The Glass House
THUR March 12 - LOS ANGELES - The Echo
SAT March 14 - SAN FRANSISCO, CA - Bottom of the Hill
MON March 16 - PORTLAND, OR - Doug Fir Lounge
TUE March 17 - SEATTLE, WA - Nectar
WED March 18 - VANCOUVER, BC - Biltmore Cabaret
THUR March 19 - KELOWNA, BC - Habitat
FRI March 20 - EDMONTON, AB - Starlite Room
SAT March 21 - CALGARY, AB - Marquee Room
MON March 23 - SASKATOON, SK - Louis
TUE March 24 - WINNIPEG, MB - Park Theatre
THUR March 26 - MADISON, WI - High Noon Salon (w/ Clemsnide)
FRI March 27 - CHICAGO, IL - Schubas
SAT March 28 - PONTIAC, MI - Pike Room at the Crofoot

Blitzen Trapper Drop Winter Tour Dates

photo by Jade Harris

From Wild Mountain Nation, to the highly acclaimed, 2008 release Furr, Blitzen Trapper are centering their Chi and flirting with the likes of outright success. Oregon in the winter ain't no place for a band not in the midst of going "Bon Iver" and reclusing-it-up for song writing purposes. They are taking it to the road, setting out on a winter tour. Starting with a free show at Portland's Crystal Ballroom, this tour finds Blitzen playing with the likes of emerging artist Alela Diane, Canadian experimental-pop'ers Plants and Animals and fellow Oregon natives, Blue Giant.

Check for local tour listings near you after the jump...



01-25 Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom !
02-18 Minneapolis, MN - Cedar Cultural Centre *
02-19 Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle *
02-20 Detroit, MI - Magic Stick *
02-21 Toronto, Ontario - Horseshoe Tavern *
02-22 Montreal, Quebec - La Sala Rosa *
02-24 Rochester, NY - Bug Jar *
02-25 Northampton, MA - Pearl Street *
02-26 Boston, MA - Paradise *
02-27 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom *#
02-28 Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg *#
03-01 Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church *
03-02 Washington, DC - Black Cat *
03-04 Athens, GA - 40 Watt Club *
03-05 Asheville, NC - Orange Peel *
03-06 Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge *
03-07 Birmingham, AL - Bottletree *
03-08 Memphis, TN - High-Tone *
03-09 Norman, OK - The Opolis *
03-10 Lawrence, KA - Jackpot Saloon *
03-12 Denver, CO - Hi-Dive *
03-13 Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Court *

! with Blue Giant
* with Alela Diane
# with Plants & Animals

Tour Alert: Plants and Animals & Born Ruffians

Plants and Animals Myspace
It's a Canadian fall tour! Actually, it's a good mix of both Canadian and US venues. Hundred bucks says Win Butler makes an appearance on one of these tour dates. Come on. The co-headlining tour with Born Ruffians will hopefully draw a bit more attention to Plants and Animal's excellent debut 2008 release, Parc Avenue. Below is an expert from a Romo press release:

"Plants and Animals is an epic-rock-pop-soul train that rivals anything crawling out of Canada today. "Parc Avenue" is an eleven-song opus weaving in and out of anthems and ballads, at times making grand gestures, but mostly nodding at real-life moments encountered during the album's conception. Recorded entirely to analog tape at the Treatment Room and Studio Carillon Tropical(singer, Warren Spicer's apartment), "Parc Avenue" is filled with everything from classic seventies guitar tones, intricately orchestrated pop, and dirty, epic post-rock. The instrumentation includes piano, guitar, pedal steel, and a host of percussion, topped with flourishes of auto harp. "

Tons of tour dates after the jump.

Thu 09/18/2008 The Horseshoe Toronto, ON
Sat 09/20/2008 LOLA Fest Victoria Park London, ON
Thu 09/25/2008 The Black Sheep Inn Wakefield, QC
Fri 09/26/2008 The Montreal House Peterborough, ON
Sat 09/27/2008 The Casbah Hamilton, ON
Mon 09/29/2008 Phoenix Concert Theater Toronto, ON (Polaris Music Prize Show)
Wed 10/01/2008 The Crofoot Ballroom Pontiac, MI*
Thu 10/02/2008 Club 770 Madison, WI*
Sat 10/04/2008 Pyramid Cabaret Winnipeg, MB*
Mon 10/06/2008 Amigo's Café Saskatoon, SK*
Tue 10/07/2008 Starlite Room, Edmonton, AB*
Wed 10/08/2008 The Warehouse Calgary, AB*
Fri 10/10/2008 Richard's on Richards Vancouver, BC*
Sat 10/11/2008 Sugar Nightclub Victoria, BC*
Sun 10/12/2008 Chop Suey Seattle, WA *
Mon 10/13/2008 Holocene Portland OR*
Wed 10/15/2008 Bottom of The Hill San Francisco CA*
Thu 10/16/2008 Spaceland Los Angeles CA *
Fri 10/17/2008 Casbah San Diego CA *
Sat 10/18/2008 Modified Phoenix AZ *
Mon 10/20/2008 Emo's Austin TX*
Tue 10/21/2008 Spanish Moon Baton Rouge LA *
Wed 10/22/2008 The Earl Atlanta GA *
Thu 10/23/2008 Local 506 Chapel Hill NC *
Fri 10/24/2008 Rock and Roll Hotel Washington D.C.*
Sat 10/25/2008 Talking Head Baltimore, MD*
Sun 10/26/2008 Johnny Brenda's Philadelphia, PA*
Mon 10/27/2008 Mercury Lounge New York, NY *
Tue 10/28/2008 Union Hall Brooklyn, NY *
Wed 10/29/2008 Paradise Boston MA *
Wed 11/05/2008 Théâtre Petit Champlain Quebec, QC