Subject: Indie Rock and Indie Pop

• A band-by-band guide to the 2009 Westword Music Showcase

  June 11, 2009

• For Built to Spill's Doug Martsch, music is a different kind of hoop dream

  June 11, 2009

• The Mars Volta and Yeah Yeah Yeahs to headline Monolith

  Update: Just in case you haven't been keeping tabs, this year's Monolith line-up has been shaping up rather nicely. On May 18, the masterminds of Monolith began revealing the line-up for the third annual two-day indie-centric music festival every two hours on Twitter and Facebook. Some folks found this approach tedious, while others enjoyed the surprise. Either way, we're pretty impressed with the acts that have been announced -- including the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the Mars Volta, which was just a

  July 15, 2009

• Flaming Lips, Modest Mouse, Frank Black shows annouced

  The Flaming Lips know all about putting on a hell of a show, and the Monolith Festival gig at Red Rocks in 2007 was one most phenomenal things to happen to that venue in the last few years. Lets hope for a repeat performance when the Lips return to Red Rocks Sunday, August 23 with Explosions in the Sky and Star Death & the White Dwarfs, which features Wayne Coyne's nephew Dennis. Tickets, which run from $36.75 to $46.50, go on sale Saturday, June 20 at 10 a.m. And as an added bonus, all tick

  June 16, 2009

• Q&A with Adam Franklin of Swervedriver

  Johnny MotoAdam Franklin is well known for his role as the singer and guitarist in Swervedriver. His work in post-Swervedriver projects such as Toshack Highway, Magnetic Morning and his solo work, however, shows a remarkable breadth of musical imagination and a wealth of sonic ideas that reveal dimensions of talent outside the melodically incendiary songs of his most famous band. We caught up with Franklin as he was rehearsing for his national tour with the Church, which hits the Gothic Theatre

  June 18, 2009

• Okay, Denver, we need to talk.

  I just received a press release from the Salt Lake City Arts Council (cue the Pace picante sauce dudes asking incredulously, "Salt Lake City?!") informing me of their Twilight Concert Series. Evidently, the concerts, which are free and take place every Thursday night at the Gallivan Center in downtown Salt Lake, are among "the best loved concert series in Utah." Not hard to see why. Take a look at the line-up: On July 9, Bon Iver and Jenny Lewis stop by, followed by the Black Keys and Human High

  June 22, 2009

• Prints Charming

  June 25, 2009

• Julie Doiron

  June 18, 2009

• Sunset Rubdown grabs tops spot at Wax Trax

  Sunset Rubdown's Dragonslayer, released last week on Jagjaguwar, grabbed the top spot at Wax Trax for the week ending June 28. Grizzly Bear's Veckatimest moved down to third and Dirty Projectors' Bitte Orca moved up to the sixth slot. See the full breakdown after the jump.

  June 29, 2009

• Westword Music Showcase reviewed: Curious Theatre

  Aaron ThackeraySee more photos from Curious Theatre at westword.com/slideshow.Elin Palmer, 12 p.m.Overcoming technical difficulties and an initially cumbersome stage setup (the stage manager had to find room for a drum riser amid the creative and complicated set -- including a desk, a bed and a road -- for Curious Theatre's latest production, 26 Miles), Denver's most luminous Swedish singer-songwriter wowed an early crowd with her unique instrumentation, bilingual vocals and guileless stage

  June 15, 2009

• Other Girls

  July 2, 2009

• Yo La Tengo, Rob Thomas, Carbon Leaf shows announced

  Yo La TengoNew Jersey-based indie rockers Yo La Tengo hit the road this fall, which includes a stop at Ogden Theatre Saturday, October 10, in support of the band's forthcoming album, Popular Songs, due September 8 on Matador. Tickets, which are $20 advance and $25 day of show, go on sale Saturday, July 25 at 10 a.m. Matchbox Twenty frontman Rob Thomas, who is touring with OneRepublic and Carolina, will stop at Magness Arena Tuesday, October 27. Tickets are $36-$56 and also go on sale Saturday, J

  July 21, 2009

• Heavy Rotation, our top spins for the week of August 3, 2009

  As music critics, the most common question we get asked (and ask each other, for that matter) is, "What are you listening to?" The pervasiveness of this query is precisely what inspired Heavy Rotation, our latest feature. For the benefit of those who happen to be curious, we've compiled a list of all the things we're listening to this week. Feel free to chime in with picks of your own after the jump.

  August 4, 2009

• NPR's All Songs Considered weighs in on the best music of 2009

  ​Last time we checked, there's still a good four months left until the end of the year. Regardless, that hasn't stopped Bob Boilen and company from NPR's All Songs Considered from weighing in on the best music of 2009 (so far). Actually, check that -- the results, which were posted on the show's blog last week, were evidently voted on by the listeners, who apparently really, really dig Animal Collective. Take a look at their picks after the jump and see if you agree. Did they get it right, or

  August 6, 2009

• Refusing to be influenced by modern trends, Sonnenblume listens to its own muse

  August 13, 2009

• The Denver Boot: Achille Lauro at the Bluebird Theater

  Nearly two weeks ago, Achille Lauro opened up for Akron/Family at the Bluebird. Achille Lauro was dependably stellar as always. "In terms of the opening three bands, however, Achille Lauro's set stood out," wrote A.H. Goldstein in his review of the show. "The outfit's meditative and eloquent guitar lines, deepened by frontman Matt Close's sinuous synth lines and emotive vocals, made for a grounded and consistent set. Guitarist Luke Mossman offered plaintive and expertly plucked lines, a constant

  August 13, 2009

• Heavy Rotation, our top spins for the week of August 17, 2009

  ​As music critics, the most common question we get asked (and ask each other, for that matter) is, "What are you listening to?" The pervasiveness of this query is precisely what inspired Heavy Rotation, our latest feature. For the benefit of those who happen to be curious, we've compiled a list of all the things we're listening to this week. Feel free to chime in with picks of your own after the jump.

  August 20, 2009

• Over the Weekend: The Flaming Lips at Red Rocks

  Jon Solomon​The Flaming Lips, Explosions in the Sky, Stardeath & White DwarfsRed Rocks AmphitheatreSunday, August 23, 2009Better than: The last time the Flaming Lips played Red RocksI know it's not the most manly thing to admit, but I was almost cried a few times during the Flaming Lips set last night. I mean, hell, it's was kinda of hard not to cry once the the band kicked into the triumphant "Race for the Prize" with canons blasting confetti all over the place and huge balloons flying ov

  August 24, 2009

• Over the weekend: The Flaming Lips at Red Rocks (bonus review)

  It was a series of firsts last night for Adam Perry: In was his first show at Red Rocks and his first time seeing the Flaming Lips. Given the profound, momentous nature of that combination, we thought we'd share his experience, and as a result you get a bonus review of the show today.Adam Perry​The Flaming Lips, Explosions in the Sky, Stardeath & White DwarfsRed Rocks AmphitheatreSunday, August 23, 2009 Better Than: Anti-depressants "Last night I had a horrible dream/ wakin' up at Red Roc

  August 24, 2009

• Heavy Rotation, our top spins for the week of August 24, 2009

  ​As music critics, the most common question we get asked (and ask each other, for that matter) is, "What are you listening to?" The pervasiveness of this query is precisely what inspired Heavy Rotation, our latest feature. For the benefit of those who happen to be curious, we've compiled a list of all the things we're listening to this week. Feel free to chime in with picks of your own after the jump.

  August 27, 2009

• Pissed Jeans grabs top spot at Wax Trax again

  ​Pissed Jeans' King of Jeans grabbed the number one spot on Wax Trax's top seller list the second week in a row while Arctic Monkeys' Humbug, released last week on Domino, came in second for the week ending August 30. Dead Weather, Modest Mouse and Jay Reatard rounded out the top five while the Rocky Mountain Low and Local Anesthetic compilations continue to stay in the top ten. See the full breakdown after the jump.

  August 31, 2009

• Matisyahu top seller at Twist and Shout

  ​Matisyahu's Light, released last week on Sony, grabbed the top spot while Boulder Acoustic Society's in store performance last week might have helped Punchline, which has some insanely cool packaging, nab the second slot for the week ending August 30. Arctic Monkeys' Humbug, Imogen Heap's Ellipse and Ingrid Michaelson's Everybody, all released last week, rounded out the top five. See the full breakdown after the jump.

  September 1, 2009

• The Pains of Being Pure at Heart exude a spirit of innocence and exuberance

  September 10, 2009

• Monolith Q&A: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

  ​With early support from one of the country's most important independent radio stations, KEXP in Seattle, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart -- appearing at Monlith this weekend -- struck a chord with fans of earnest, dreamy, lush pop music. Though often compared to C86-era and Sarah Records bands, Pure at Heart make music that clearly draws on aesthetics evolved since that time and its songs are not awash in layers of delay as some of its critics have hinted when comparing the group unfavor

  September 9, 2009

• Monolith Q&A: The Glitch Mob

  ​The Glitch Mob started out as a Los Angeles-based DJ collective that pooled its collective talent to make a more collaborative music with expanded sonic possibilities. As individual artists, Ooah, edIT and Boreta have released solo albums of cutting edge electronic music but it is as a team that they have put out some of the most interesting remixes being done today. Those familiar with improvisational band Sound Tribe Sector 9 will hear an entirely new band through the ears of the Glitch

  September 10, 2009

• Monolith Q&A: Depreciation Guild

  Photo by Drew Reynolds​Brooklyn's the Depreciation Guild has spent the last few years fusing elements of synth pop, dream pop and experimental electronic music into an indistinguishable amalgamation of the band's wide-ranging sonic influences. In reviews and profiles of the band, much has been made of the group's use of an old piece of digital sound equipment (discussed below) but the Guild are not 8-bit composers nor are they neo-shoegazers trying to recreate a sound of times past. Instea

  September 11, 2009

• Phish top seller at Bart's CD Cellar

  ​Joy, Phish's eleventh studio album and first release in five years, nabbed the top spot at Bart's CD Cellar while six Beatles re-issues (including Abbey Road, Sgt. Pepper's and the Stereo Box Set) dominated the store's top ten for the week ending September 13. Yo La Tengo's latest, effor, Popular Songs, came in third while Artic Monkeys and Yonder Mountain String Band round out the top ten. See the full breakdown after the jump.

  September 14, 2009

• Heavy Rotation, our top spins for the week of September 14, 2009

  ​As music critics, the most common question we get asked (and ask each other, for that matter) is, "What are you listening to?" The pervasiveness of this query is precisely what inspired Heavy Rotation, our latest feature. For the benefit of those who happen to be curious, we've compiled a list of all the things we're listening to this week. Feel free to chime in with picks of your own after the jump.

  September 16, 2009

• Kissing Party

  September 17, 2009

• Autolux

  September 17, 2009

• The Dear Hunter

  October 1, 2009

• Box Elders

  October 8, 2009

• Songs to shout at Yo La Tengo this Saturday night

  Photo by Michael Lavine​Skinny boys in glasses, girls in knit jumpers, record collectors of all stripes, rejoice! This Saturday, October 10, college rock heroes Yo La Tengo are bringing the noise, the melody and the irony to Denver in the best indie-when-it-meant-something show this side of the Pavement reunion. Ira Kaplan, Georgia Hubley and James McNew have been consistently excellent for about twenty years, and the trio know more about music than eight of your average rock critics. Th

  October 7, 2009

• Heavy Rotation, our top spins for the week of October 5, 2009

  ​​As music critics, the most common question we get asked (and ask each other, for that matter) is, "What are you listening to?" The pervasiveness of this query is precisely what inspired Heavy Rotation, our latest feature. For the benefit of those who happen to be curious, we've compiled a list of all the things we're listening to this week. Feel free to chime in with picks of your own after the jump.

  October 8, 2009

• This just in: tonight's Brand New/Manchester Orchestra show at the Fillmore postponed

  ​Bad news for those expecting to see Manchester Orchestra, the subject of this week's feature profile, who were slated to warm up for Brand New this evening at the Fillmore with the Builders & the Butchers. We just received word from the folks at Live Nation that the show has been postponed due to illness. Although a make-up date hasn't been announced, the show will reportedly be rescheduled, so those holding tickets should continue holding them, because they will be honored at the future

  October 8, 2009

• Over the weekend: Jolie Holland at the Walnut Room

  Adam Perry​Jolie Holland, with Matt Bauer The Walnut Room Saturday, October 10, 2009 Better Than: Walking from Market St. Station to Walnut & 31st in the cold No one shines like Brooklyn-based indie-folk goddess Jolie Holland. Just as Neil Young was the depth and edge of CSNY, Holland was the stand-out talent in the Canadian, all-girl, alt-folk group the Be Good Tanyas, and for the last half-decade has excelled on her own. Last fall, Holland drew a large crowd to the Boulder Theater on th

  October 12, 2009

• Heavy Rotation, our top spins for the week of October 12, 2009

  ​As music critics, the most common question we get asked (and ask each other, for that matter) is, "What are you listening to?" The pervasiveness of this query is precisely what inspired Heavy Rotation, our latest feature. For the benefit of those who happen to be curious, we've compiled a list of all the things we're listening to this week. Feel free to chime in with picks of your own after the jump.

  October 13, 2009

• Top ten reunions we'd rather not see

  Better Than Ezra ​There have been a lot of bands in the history of the universe and most of them, at one point or another, have broken up. Surprisingly, we've found the majority of them have reformed despite themselves. Another surprise is the amount of bands still playing -- Better Than Ezra, Seven Mary Three, the Troggs, and the Zombies -- despite their lack of a mass audience. Last week, we waxed on our dream reunions. This week, we offer up ten bands we think should just stay dead, for one

  October 13, 2009

• Flaming Lips top seller at Twist and Shout

  ​The Flaming Lips' two-disc Embryonic, released last week on Warner Brothers, debuted at the top spot at Twist & Shout for the week ending October 18 while the Monsters of Folk's self-titled debut and Emmitt-Nershi Band's New Country Blues grabbed the second and third slots. Bob Dylan's Christmas in the Heart and Rosanne Cash's List rounded out the top five. See the full breakdown after the jump. 

  October 19, 2009

• Heavy Rotation, our top spins for the week of October 19, 2009

  ​As music critics, the most common question we get asked (and ask each other, for that matter) is, "What are you listening to?" The pervasiveness of this query is precisely what inspired Heavy Rotation, our latest feature. For the benefit of those who happen to be curious, we've compiled a list of all the things we're listening to this week. Feel free to chime in with picks of your own after the jump.

  October 21, 2009

• Flaming Lips grab top spot at Bart's CD Cellar

  ​The Flaming Lips latest effort, Embryonic, debuted at the number one spot at Bart's CD Cellar for the week ending October 18. Bob Dylan's Christmas in the Heart, released last week on Columbia, came in second and Built to Spill's There Is No Enemy came in third, while the Avett Brothers' I and Love and You and Pearl Jam's Backspacer rounded out the top five. See the full breakdown after the jump. 

  October 21, 2009

• The Dodos

  October 22, 2009

• George&Caplin remix EP forthcoming

  ​It's been a little while since we've heard from local lo-fi ambient popsters George&Caplin (in part, presumably, because Jeffrey Wentworth Stevens was busy recording a pair of killer EPs with Joe Sampson as Wentworth Kersey) but we've just received word that the duo have new material incoming. The first release we'll see, near the end of the year, is a remix album from Plastic Sound Supply of select tracks from the duo's last release, the excellent He Really Got Through to Advertising. A

  October 23, 2009

• Over the Weekend: Sunset Rubdown at the Bluebird Theater

  ​Sunset Rubdown, tUnE-yArDs Friday, October 23 Bluebird Theater Better Than: Wolf Parade and Swan Lake combined. Providing the latest evidence that the loop pedal is the best thing to happen to one-person bands since the harmonica holder, Merrill Garbus, who performs as tUnE-yArDs, opened up the show with a collection of tunes in which she accompanied her voice and ukulele with simple looped beats made with a floor tom and snare, throwing in the occasional collage of layered oohs and ahhs an

  October 26, 2009

• Over the Weekend: Hello Kavita CD release at the hi-dive

  ​Hello Kavita, Houses, It's True October 23, 2009 hi-dive Better Than: Prozac Omaha band It's True started things off with some sweet 'n simple melodies and starry-eyed vocals.  They cranked the feedback a bit because they're no pushovers, but theirs was certainly the odd performance out on a night of retro feel-goodery.

  October 26, 2009

• Flaming Lips grabs top spot at Twist and Shout

  ​The Flaming Lips' latest effort, Embryonic, grabbed the spot at Twist & Shout for the second week in row while Flight of the Conchord and Lyle Lovett came in second and third. Monsters of Folk's debut and Shrinebuilder's new self-titled album round out the top five for the week ending October 25. See the full breakdown after the jump.

  October 27, 2009

• Heavy Rotation, our top spins for the week of October 26, 2009

  ​As music critics, the most common question we get asked (and ask each other, for that matter) is, "What are you listening to?" The pervasiveness of this query is precisely what inspired Heavy Rotation, our latest feature. For the benefit of those who happen to be curious, we've compiled a list of all the things we're listening to this week. Feel free to chime in with picks of your own after the jump.

  October 28, 2009

• Flaming Lips top sellar at Bart's CD Cellar

  ​The Flaming Lips new album, Embryonic, was the top seller at Bart's CD Cellar for the week ending October 25, while Jay-Z's The Blueprint 3 and Roseanne Cash's The List grabbed the second and third spots. Bob Dylan's new Christmas album and Kevon Edwards' Who Knew rounded out the top five. See the full breakdown after the jump.

  October 29, 2009

• Wondering what to get that special little someone for Christmas? Wonder no more. The Indie Rock Coloring Book is here!

  ​Ever notice just how much more advanced kids are these days? They just seem so much cooler than we were growing up. We were at a barbecue not too long ago, for instance, and heard the wee son of a friend -- seriously, the kid hadn't even hit puberty yet -- raving about the new Bon Iver record. Yeah, Bon Iver. What's that all about? At that age, we were listening to the sort of craptastic, cringe-worthy things that can't even be explained away as guilty pleasures. So what gives? Cooler parents

  November 4, 2009

• Over the Weekend: Dirty Projectors at the Bluebird

  Dirty Projectors​ Dirty Projectors, Tune-Yards Sunday, November 8, 2009 Bluebird Theater What it was like: Watching a gospel choir through broken glass. There is a risk, when you see two bands as technically elaborate as Dirty Projectors and Tune-Yards, that you will get several hours of knob twirling and strings pulled with great concentration and zero seconds of eye contact or excitement. What we got instead was a pair of great performances and a night that ended too soon.

  November 9, 2009