Tame Impala: Doug Fir Lounge, 12/11/10

For those who haven't heard Tame Impala, they are a fuzzed out, psychedelic rock band from Australia with atmospheric effects and dream-like vocal melodies. Their debut album, InnerSpeaker, was released earlier this year and it immediately drew me in. Seeing them live became the next test, and, after a bit of a slow start, they passed it successfully on Saturday night at Doug Fir. Some of the best shows I've seen this year - Delta Spirit, Jamie Lidell - have been at Doug Fir, and Tame Impala is now among them. Playing a majority of InnerSpeaker plus a totally rad cover of Massive Attack's "Angel" (see a decent YouTube clip here), the band sounded terrific and were musically completely satisfying.

I say "after a bit of a slow start" because the Aussie four-piece literally started the set a little slow. The first track from the album was the first song they played, but the tempo was about 2 clicks too slow; however, my worry that they would maintain the weed/beer-induced pace was quickly erased when they launched into Solitude Is Bliss. Immediately, the band was right in the pocket and kept the energy up through the rest of the hour and twenty minute set. Clearly impressed by the massive turnout - it was nearly sold out - the group constantly thanked the crowd and, once they were comfortable, looked like they were having a great time.

Lead singer Kevin Parker was even-keeled throughout the show except for a few drops to his knees to fiddle with pedals and a couple of guitar chops to accent some drum hits during Lucidity. Lead guitarist Dominic Simper had the mop-headed look of Jonny Greenwood and added lovely bits of flavor with his lead lines and effects. The drummer is aptly nicknamed "Gumby" due to the ease with which he finds his way around the drum kit. And the bass player looked a bit like Michael Cera, who just happened to be at the show.

The band didn't do much on stage, which would normally be frustrating for me, but the energy they put out fit perfectly with the attitude of the album. And sometimes it's just nice to hear the songs played perfectly, only with more energy and extending some bridges. All of the carefully crafted nuances from InnerSpeaker came through at Doug Fir, and, despite this being a relatively new band, these guys played like pros.

InnerSpeaker came in at #4 on my Favorites of 2010 list this year, and their show at Doug Fir only solidified that choice. Do yourself a favor and give Tame Impala a listen.

It should also be noted that Portland's Brainstorm opened the night, and easily won over the audience with their eclectic mix of raw indie rock and tuba. Yes, tuba. Brainstorm consists of two multi-instrumentalists: the drummer sings with a headset and plays synth on some tunes while the guitar player handles bass with the help of effects pedals, sings and also plays a tuba on a few tunes. They have a few shows coming up, and they are definitely worth checking out.

The Dears' New Album

For those who aren't familiar, The Dears are a rock band out of Montreal. Back in 2003 I was not familiar until my friend Gabi told me: "You will like this band. Go buy No Cities Left." I trust her taste, so I obeyed and, lo and behold, I LOVED No Cities Left. I was hooked.

The music is soaring, rocking, cinematic and atmospheric. The melodies are easily singable without being overly familiar. And the songs all combine to create incredible albums.

Well, The Dears have a new album coming in February 2011: Degeneration Street. To promote the album, they are doing a few things you should check out:

1) Free download of the song Blood. Click here, sign up and grab it.

2) The Dears are hosting weekly webcasts called Radio Degeneration. They are happening every Monday at 4pm PST on this website, and it is basically an hour or so of complete chaos with the band...in a good way. They play their favorite Dears tunes and preview new Dears tunes. Pretty cool.

Oh, and here's that single, Blood, performed live. NOW are you convinced?

www.thedears.org

Best Of 2010 (A Work In Progress)

Well, it's that time of year: Best Of time. 2010 has been a pretty incredible musical year for me, and choosing a top 10 is going to be tough. This post will be a work in progress, so I will update it with changes over the next month or two.

For now, as of November 18, 2010, from all the albums I purchase and/or listened to, these are the ones in the running for the Top 10:

[UPDATE 12/02/10: Started adding numbers for potential Top 10. Added Mumford & Suns per Robin and Ra Ra Riot, Menomena & New Pornographers per Dave. Started Live Show list.]

[UPDATE 12/03/10: Added some Best Singles.]

Top 10 Albums
1. The National - High Violet
2. The Tallest Man On Earth - The Wild Hunt
3. Local Natives - Gorilla Manor

4. Tame Impala - Innerspeaker

5. Delta Spirit - History From Below
6. Gospel Claws - C.L.A.W.S
7. Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
8. Boy Eats Drum Machine - 20 Beats
9. Garotas Suecas - Escaldante Banda

10. Sun Airway - Nocturne of Exploded Crystal Chandelier

Junip - Fields
Blitzen Trapper - Destroyer of the Void
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
Guster - Easy Wonderful

Sufjan Stevens - The Age of ADZ
Spoon - Transference
Orgone - Cali Fever
Dr. Dog - Shame, Shame
The Morning Benders - Big Echo
Jonsi - Go
Hot Chip - One Life Stand
Freelance Whales - Weathervanes
Laura Veirs - July Flame
She & Him - Volume 2
Javelin - No Mas
Flying Lotus - Cosmogramma
Phantogram - Eyelid Movies
Caribou - Swim
The Black Angels - Phosphene Dream
Climber - The Mystic
Broken Bells - s/t
Gorillaz - Plastic Beach
Pantha Du Prince - Black Noise
Portugal, The Man - American Ghetto
Charlotte Gainsbourg - IRM
Corinne Bailey Rae - The Sea
RJD2 - The Colossus
Ra Ra Riot - The Orchard
Menomena - Mines
The New Pornographers - Together
Four Tet - There Is Love In You
Yeasayer - Odd Blood
Surfer Blood - Astro Coast
Beach House - Teen Dream
Jamie Cullum - The Pursuit
Vampire Weekend - Contra
Efterklang - Magic Chairs
LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening
Interpol - s/t

The Black Keys - Brothers

Best Live Shows
Delta Spirit - Doug Fir Lounge (June 10)
Garotas Suecas - Ash St Saloon (September 9)
Local Natives - Mississippi Studios (May 27)
Orgone - Someday Lounge (Jan 2)

Jamie Lidell - Doug Fir Lounge (June 16)

Best Singles

The Radio Dept. - The New Improved Hypocrisy

Best Coast - Boyfriend

The Pains of Being Pure At Heart - Say No To Love
Broken Bells - The High Road

Arcade Fire - City With No Children

Post your comments and help me remember what I'm missing.