2008-07-24T22:08:39Z tag:blog.washingtonpost.com,2008:/postrock/362 Copyright (c) 2008, WashingtonPost.Newsweek Interactive 2008-07-24T22:08:39Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-07-24:/postrock2008/07/rock_the_bells_vital_albums_pa.html

The Rock the Bells tour hits Merriweather Post Pavilion on Sunday and the lineup is stacked. There's plenty of up-and-coming talent -- the Cool Kids, Spank Rock, Wale, Santogold, etc. -- but the presence of so many of hip-hop's heavy hitters is what makes it one of the best tours of the summer. J. Freedom and I decided we'd pick the five best albums by Rock the Bells participants and then throw it out to...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

David Malitz 2008-07-24T14:31:31Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-07-24:/postrock2008/07/hey_virgin_festival_decision_m.html

Hollywood Undead, coming to a stage near you. Unfortunately. It's got to go. In theory, maybe it's not a terrible idea. You embrace the Internet, have a direct connection with the fans and give a chance to an up-and-coming act. But in practice you end up with a band like this year's winner, Hollywood Undead. Never heard of them? But with "their blend of hip-hop, pop, metal, and screamo, these masked L.A. natives attracted...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

David Malitz 2008-07-23T22:00:11Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-07-23:/postrock2008/07/whartscape_wrapup_i_think_i_mi.html

That's the conclusion I reached after a weekend spent in Baltimore for Whartscape. (Read my review of Saturday's show here.) It's very much an "It's not you, it's me" situation. I just don't have the energy or enthusiasm to match what those Charm City kids bring to the table. But not many people do, and that's what makes their little scene so interesting. A quick rundown of some of Sunday's acts... The Girl Talk phenomenon...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

David Malitz 2008-07-22T18:44:37Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-07-22:/postrock2008/07/summer_mixtape_track_12_that_s.html

We've sort of slacked off on the whole Summer Mixtape thing but what do you expect? It's summer, the perfect time for slacking. We'll start it back up today with a slight mood shift. Most of the songs featured so far have played to the hot and steamy summer vibe. But there's another side to summer -- the tranquility of the sun setting at 8:45, the carefree attitude but also the realization that it's temporary...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

David Malitz 2008-07-21T13:00:03Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-07-21:/postrock2008/07/six_more_questions_with_thurst.html

President for life in the daydream nation. Thurston Moore is in full-fledged flogging mode, making the rounds to talk about his new book, "No Wave: Post-Punk. Underground. New York. 1976-1980." He called recently for this story - but after 40 minutes of chatter about no wave's cacophonous, confrontational music and players, we moved on to some other topics. Here, then, is the no-no wave interview with Moore, indie-alternative icon, record collector, label dude, Starbucks...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

J. Freedom du Lac 2008-07-20T00:35:44Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-07-18:/postrock2008/07/please_explain_to_me_kenny_che.html

No shoes, no shirt, plenty popular. It's been a few months since we rolled out this feature by asking you, the Post Rock readers/ interlopers/ commenters/ hecklers, to explain the worthiness and appeal of My Bloody Valentine's "Loveless." Decent idea, apparently, as one of my favorite music blogs recently "borrowed" the bit. Today, Please Explain to Me returns to its proper home as I ask for your help in solving one of the great...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

J. Freedom du Lac 2008-07-18T19:38:28Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-07-18:/postrock2008/07/live_last_night_on_tv.html

Time for a new Friday feature to replace the dearly departed Two-Minute Man. This concept is similarly simple, just using TV instead of radio. We've made it to the 1950s! There's certainly more variety than the 200 or so songs that populate 94.7's playlist as we get everything from the Hold Steady to Randy Travis to Shwayze this week. 1. The Hold Steady, "Sequestered in Memphis" (Letterman, Wednesday) Craig Finn, just listen to me for...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

David Malitz 2008-07-17T12:45:04Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-07-17:/postrock2008/07/six_questions_and_really_reall.html

Some people call him Maurice. Ben Franklin said, "In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes." If Big Ben was still alive today he'd surely add "hearing Steve Miller on classic rock radio" to his shortlist. Songs like "The Joker," "Take the Money and Run," "Rock 'N Me," "Jet Airliner" and "Fly Like an Eagle" will probably still be in heavy rotation during the third zombie uprising. (Admittedly, not that far off.)...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

David Malitz 2008-07-16T16:54:50Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-07-16:/postrock2008/07/six_questions_for_love_as_laug.html

Love as Laughter gets "Holy." Love as Laughter is one of those bands that are easy to root for. Over the course of nearly 15 years and six albums the loosely organized crew led by Sam Jayne has played loosely organized indie rock. They know the power of a one-note guitar solo and that you can never go wrong ripping off Neil Young. "Laughter's Fifth" in 2005 signaled a new peak for the band,...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

David Malitz 2008-07-15T15:40:55Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-07-15:/postrock2008/07/more_on_the_hold_steady.html

The Hold Steady, not quite like the first time. I started my review of the Hold Steady's "Stay Positive" with a bit of a backhanded compliment. The gist of it was: This is probably the worst Hold Steady album - but that when dealing with the Hold Steady, "worst" is loosely translated to "least awesome." Because for the fourth consecutive time, Craig Finn and gang have delivered a winner. But for the second consecutive...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

David Malitz 2008-07-14T23:41:40Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-07-14:/postrock2008/07/they_played_what_where_vol_1_n_3.html

Hearing good music in retail stores has become such a regular occurrence these days that it's pretty much put an end to this feature. Some recent examples include: - Spoon's "The Underdog" in CVS (much better than that damn "Give Me the Beat Boys" Doobies song that makes me want to go on a killing spree) - Depeche Mode's "Enjoy the Silence" in Harris Teeter (complete with Ian MacKaye diaper-shopping sighting!) - Kathleen Edwards's "I...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

David Malitz 2008-07-14T14:21:18Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-07-14:/postrock2008/07/summer_mixtape_track_10_doo_wo.html

You remember L-Boogie, right? The Fugees centerpiece who became a solo star with the 1998 release of "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" album ... and then basically stopped making music, save for that raggedy MTV Unplugged session, a few appearances with the Fugees and a random track here (the "Surf's Up" soundtrack) and there (that "Passion of the Christ" compilation)? Back before she rebelled against the music business and went subterranean, Hill was pretty incredible...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

J. Freedom du Lac 2008-07-11T14:04:12Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-07-11:/postrock2008/07/a_couple_more_than_six_questio.html

Jad Fair of Half Japanese. One of the many great scenes in the Half Japanese documentary "The Band That Would Be King" finds brothers David and Jad Fair talking about playing guitar, and it perfectly captures the essence of the definitive do-it-yourself band. "Some people worry about chords and stuff, and that's all right, too," David says. "There's all kinds of music in the world. You might want to learn some other stuff if...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

David Malitz 2008-07-10T16:46:20Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-07-10:/postrock2008/07/six_questions_with_the_alarm.html

Rhyl calling! It rained in Washington yesterday. In the summertime. Perfect! Because Mike Peters of the Alarm was calling, and as anybody who knows anything about '80s Welsh rock recalls, the Alarm had a hit 21 years ago - on both sides of the pond - with the anthemic, U2ish "Rain in the Summertime." (Weren't all Alarm songs anthemic and U2ish?) The Alarm lives on, via VH1 Classic, modern-rock radio flashback segments and beer...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

J. Freedom du Lac 2008-07-10T11:54:18Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-07-10:/postrock2008/07/summer_mixtape_track_9_on_a.html

Based on the old Young Rascals tune, "Groovin'," this is a delicious nothingburger of a pop-rap song about hanging in the park, drinking beer, grilling carne asada and bumping lowrider-worthy oldies with your homeys on a carefree Sunday afternoon - which may or may not make LSOB the Latin-rap equivalent of Loverboy. It's pretty much the perfect summer jam, particularly if you've ever cruised Whittier Boulevard (which I have, though I wasn't technically cruising -...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

J. Freedom du Lac