Cloud Cult, Monolith Pre-Party

A double dip of Cloud Cult for my team, although I was an old lady who only made it to one of two back-to-back shows in the Rocky Mountain Empire.

Every time I see this band, I stand in amazement at the quality of their stage show and wonder why they don't have more fans. To college students I say "these guys blow Jack Johnson away! Try some Cloud Cult!"

Opener "Transistor Radio" set the stage for their quiet side, followed by a blistering "Intro" and "Tornado Lessons" and a hint of the rock to come. They played the song I most wanted to hear last night, "Pretty Voice" and it delivered, although I was left wanting "Please Remain Calm".

Ghost themes ruled the night, with some great tracks from their latest album Feel Good Ghosts including my favorites "No One Said it Would Be Easy" and "Journey of the Featherless" as well as crowd fave "Everybody Here is a Cloud". They also dug back to the Aurora Borealis album with "Alone at a Party in a Ghost Town".

The set closed with "Take Your Medicine" and a three song encore of "Mr. Tambourine Man" (shades of the live at kexp cd), "Happy Hippo" (in a sweetly described rebellion against Baca's protestations from the May performances), and "Love You All".






"Pork Pie" and "More Cowbell" delivering the art and the rock.


"Mr. Tambourine Man"

The Dutchess and the Duke, Monolith Pre-Party

On the last stop of their month-long tour, Seattle's The Dutchess and the Duke suffered from a few technical snafus. They made the most of the quiet sound and the noisy pre-party crowd by creating their own little take-away show in the pit in front of the stage.

Beautiful harmonies! Lovely songs! One day I will see them when conditions are perfect (i.e. I don't drink a Jamesons and get distracted by Fleet Foxes merch during their set as I did earlier this summer and they remember their pickups).

Young Coyotes, Monolith Pre-Party 9-12-09

These coyotes are young, just 4 months together as a band according to the singer. Their multi-percussionist sound reminded me a bit of the Annuals, and their footwear reminded me of Vampire Weekend (which in turn reminded me of high school).

Shoes aside, a nice introduction to Young Coyotes at the Monolith pre-party.

Cloud Cult - last night, tonight!

My friends who saw the show at the Aggie Theater in Ft. Collins last night report that Craig Minowa and company put on another excellent performance. Tonight, they bring it to the Bluebird - see you there!

Monolith treats for the Laramigos

Wyoming and Northern Colorado residents benefit from the Monolith influx of musicians this week.

First, Cloud Cult makes a Fort Collins appearance at the Aggie Theatre on Thursday September 11th. I'm so tempted to attend, because they put one of the best live shows around, but it seems a bit excessive as we'll be seeing them the next night at the Bluebird. If you've not seen Cloud Cult before this show is $8 (!) and so close to the Equality State that you can't go wrong.

On Saturday the 13th The Giraffes make their way through Laramie en route to their Sunday Red Rocks date. I'm new to this band but getting a national act at a bar like JJ's is totally worth checking out in my mind.

Obama mania

I don't really want to talk about politics on a music blog, but these were irresistible.
[via bb-blog]

TV on the Radio (monolith preview)

I've missed TVOTR their last couple trips through the mountain west, and I'm so pleased to correct that mistake this weekend! I predict the sound of "Staring at the Sun" oozing out over the rocks will be mind-blowing.

What I've heard from the new album is amazing, and the New York Times agrees. Be sure and check out the interviews with Dave Sitek. That man is a genius.