Listen now 
Friday, December 14 Breakfast With the Jicks
What should our Friday morning bring, but a new song from the forthcoming Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks record, Real Emotional Trash (due March 4th on Matador). Egads! It's an "extended jam," a bit proggy in parts, new drummer Janet Weiss in tow, and mentions a "man with a chesire cat grin" somewhere in there.
MP3: SM & the Jicks- "Baltimore"
It's just one week until the band's show at the Doug Fir (with openers Blitzen Trapper), one of just two they'll be playing until a bit closer to the album's release date. From the website:
"jicks go so sf, portland next week we are pleased to see the jicks are bringing it down to SF with the AWESOME JOLT of blitzen trapper. IT all goes down at the Great AMerican Music Hall. Do the creepy crawl in Portland a day later!"
Mmm, breakfast.
As for the weekend, the big fish ticket is obviously Spoon at the Crystal Ballroom (along with Portland-based openers The Shaky Hands). The band's 2007 release Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga has been appearing on a lot of Best of 2007 lists lately, and for good reason (though I'm still partial to my first blush intro to the band, 2001's superb Girls Can Tell). This show is long ago sold out, but we'd love to get a first person account if you go.
Not to fear, though, as we made clear earlier in the week, there are plenty of options for the Spoon-less amongst you-- notably Damien Jurado at Mississippi Studios. The Seattle-based musician's latest, And Now That I'm In Your Shadow, was his seventh full-length in the past decade, and he's currently working on material for a new album. In other words, he'll have a lot of songs from which to choose when he takes the stage tonight.
Also tonight, locals The Blow are at the Doug Fir with Swan Island. Paper Television, the most recent release from Khaela Maricich's one-woman act, came out in 2006, so one might expect a new creation or two in the mix.
And you. How are you?
Comments:
On Friday, December 14 at 10:38pm, Kipp said:
Re: Bruce Springsteen single "Girls in Their Summer Clothes" sounding like The Magnetic Fields. I must have heard this song five times previous to tonight, and never once did it occur to me that it could be anyone but The Magnetic Fields. Are we sure Stephin isn't at least singing backup? Backing up the Boss? Wow.
Any additional picks for non-Spoon shows tomorrow night, Jeremy?
On Friday, December 14 at 10:51pm, jpetersen said:
Hilarious! So we have a solid vote in the "sounds so much like the Magnetic Fields it's just about ripping them off" camp. I can see the similarities myself, but I think if someone had come to me and said, "oh yeah, this is the Magnetic Fields song," before I heard it, I would have totally bought it. I suppose if the Arcade Fire can do that to the Boss, then turn about is fair play.
What's playing now: The Blow, tomorrow night at the Doug Fir. Should be lots of fun as always. And if you're not familiar with Damien Jurado, I would highly recommend checking that out, it's at such a great venue on top of it (Mississippi Studios).
Heard that new Jicks track yet?
On Friday, December 14 at 11:16pm, Kipp said:
Baltimore? Like two songs, one title. Was that live? I like the grungy guitar against the low-fi layered angelic choir. Finish up with a rockout. Strong. Like it. That's my two bits.
Did The Boss ever include the hurdy gurdy in his ensemble? Doesn't seem like it, but odds are... Damn, is there anything new under the sun?
Sounds like Mississippi Studios is the place to be tomorrow. Thanks!
On Saturday, December 15 at 0:24am, jpetersen said:
Two songs, one title-- nicely put. That's actually the final version that will be on Real Emotional Trash come March 4th. It's impressive that they were able to get it to sound that way-- according to Malkmus' website, the recording/production/mixing process was a rather drawn out and pieced together affair.
It'll be interesting to see what Jurado shows up. He's got a lot of subdued material, and a great voice for that kind of stuff, but occasionally he likes to plug in and get loud. Sort of an indie Neil Young. Love to know how it went, if you go. I'm working, of all things.
On Saturday, December 15 at 0:38am, Kipp said:
I will certainly post a comment back here if I make it to see Damien. I feel your pain -- I am working next Friday, finishing up too late to catch Blitzen Trapper... But at least I can catch a few live songs here! Thanks again.