Brendan Benson: My Old Familiar Friend

[mp3] Brendan Benson: "Feel Like Taking You Home"

We haven't gotten to hear Brendan Benson's new record My Old Familiar Friend (August 18, ATO) in its entirety yet, even though it IS streaming at NPR, but what we have heard is more high-grade, 60s inspired rock and roll songwriting from one of the genre's most underrated stars. Best known as the co-front man and resident heartthrob for The Raconteurs, Benson's presence in the band is oft overshadowed by the massive stature of Jack White. Yet, without Benson's full-bodied vocals and well crafted tunes, the two Raconteurs records would not even exist. On the other hand, the notoriety gained from the band has shed light on Benson's solid solo catalog, and has set up his newest record quite nicely in the press. The true gem of the catalog is Lapalco, pick it up, like, today. Looking forward to the new record for sure. Benson has announced a string of US dates including the Bowery Ballroom on 8/17. See the rest of the dates and the cover art after the jump.


Confirmed Dates:

8/17/09 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom

8/20/09 Chicago, IL @ Schuba’s

8/22/09 Ann Arbor, MI @ Blind Pig

9/10/09 San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall

9/11/09 San Diego, CA @ Belly Up

9/12/09 Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour

Raconteurs: "Old Enough" Music Video

The Raconteurs "Old Enough"


"Old Enough," easily one of the catchier tunes off of Consolers of the Lonely, takes Jack White and Co. into the forest. But this is not your normal forest...oh no. J.R.R. Tolkien couldn't think this shit up -- there are natural mirrors built into the trees. Trippy. Dig the tune. $7 says it gets stuck in your head all day.

The Raconteurs - Terminal 5 - NY - 5/30/08

CONCERT REVIEW by Tara McCarthy

Meh to you, Jack White.

So here it is. I didn’t think the Friday Raconteurs show at Terminal 5 was that good. Don’t get me wrong—it was good. It just wasn’t that good. I left feeling disappointed. Perhaps it’s because the past two times I’ve seen them, I’ve been blown away. Or maybe I’ve just never seen a show at Terminal 5 before. Really though, the bottom line, at least for me, is that Jack White makes or breaks a Raconteurs concert...

The first time I saw them, Jack White was practically shitfaced off the crowd, giddy, grinning, ripping into every solo with nearly-carnal appetite, looking expectantly at the other four as if encouraging them to dig in. On Friday, it felt like he was going through the motions. The solos were lackluster. The vocal distortion on “Steady As She Goes” was depressingly superfluous. They didn’t even play their sick live arrangement of “Store Bought Bones”. They essentially stuck to the studio recordings, presumably relying on their characteristic energy to carry the day, and for me, it didn’t.

The second-worst part was the bizarre mirror set up on stage presumably just for Jack White; the worst part was how he kept gazing into it. I’m praying there was some sort of intended irony there? Or maybe he was more in the mood to noodle around in his bedroom in front of the mirror, playing with his new toys and practicing his rock face, than to actually play a rock show. (Wouldn’t blame him.) Either way, I found it utterly baffling. If you think I’m being harsh, I am. The concert had moments of greatness. The keyboardist’s fiddling on “Old Enough” gave me rockshow goosebumps. Brendan Benson nailed “Shades of Black” with that voice of his. I even managed to find my 5’2” self a step by the bar to stand on, so I could actually see. It just could have been better. I love the Raconteurs, and they’re a kickass band. Is there really anything so wrong with expecting the world?

Tara McCarthy Contributing Writer to Stark

Photo Credit: Ryan Dombal, Play Vicious.

Select Summer Shows '08

So I just finished the fresh hell that is law school exams, and after roughly three days of sleeping and a full day of the Deadliest Catch Mother’s Day Marathon, I am proud to say that I’ve re-entered the world of the living, refreshed and ready to go to shows. Here are a couple that I’m pretty pumped for this summer…or, six, because it’s my lucky number.

The Raconteurs, 5/30-1 at Terminal 5
I’ve seen them twice, once when they opened for Bob Dylan. Now, I won’t say that the Racs put on a better show than Dylan, because holy hell, that would be sacrilege, and also false. The two aren’t easily compared. I will say that while Mr. Zimmerman had on some very fetching sparkly pants, he didn’t touch a guitar the entire show. Jack White’s guitar solos, however, were positively incendiary. (Dylan: “Hey, I’m incendiary too man…”). Bottom line, if you’re looking for a great rock show, go to this concert. Plus, the bassist kind of looks like Marcy from Peanuts, and strangely, that’s not a bad thing. Tickets on sale now.

GZA, 6/4 at Nokia Theatre Times Square
I’ve been on a Liquid Swords kick recently, thanks to a friend who suggested I dig it out of retirement. I’ll be honest—I haven’t listened to any new new stuff, but I’m sorry, how good is Liquid Swords!? Not sure about the venue here, as I’ve never been, and it might be a little big. Tickets on sale now.

M.I.A., 6/6 at McCarren Park Pool, Brooklyn
Okay, yes, tickets are sold out, and you probably don’t want to pay three billion dollars per ticket on StubHub. However, my friend recently received two tickets as a gift, and while she understandably feels pressure to take the person who gave them to her, she DID say she might take me. That WAS after three margaritas and a heart-to-heart at that weird secret phone booth bar inside Crif Dog, so I’m not holding her to it, but here’s hoping…

RZA as Bobby Digital, 7/5 at Webster Hall.
Serious delirium Bill Murray. Enough said. Tickets on sale now.

The Butthole Surfers, 7/29 at Webster Hall
Their album covers were always so gross, but Independent Worm Saloon was always my favorite, and Gibby Haynes is a badass. Tickets on sale now.

Wolf Parade, 7/31 at Terminal 5
Yeah, they’re a little yelpy, often sparking inept comparisons to Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, but if you can deal with super-indie vocals, this band is great. And come on, if 14-year-olds can get past Conor Oberst’s emo-bleat, you can digest Apologies to the Queen Mary with ease. Put on a plaid shirt, order a Maker's Mark on the rocks, and enjoy yourself. Tickets on sale now.

Tara McCarthy - Stark Contributing Writer