Staff Picks - Austin L. Ray (web editor)
Each year, I open a fresh Word document and initiate, once more, a war with myself. This year was no exception. Titled "An Assortment of 2008 Musical Things in a Semi-Particular Order," my list, which includes albums you may have seen previously featured here and here, is absolutely and totally subject to change until Dec. 31. That being said, take a gander at its current iteration:... read more
Found in: Blogs, Ctrl-VVoodoo Music Festival 2008 - Day 1
[Above: Wyclef Jean]Photos taken at Voodoo Music Festival by Rob Inderrieden... read more
Found in: Blogs, 1000 WordsAustin City Limits 2008, Day 2: Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, CSS, Man Man
Let me add this to Kate’s Fleet Foxes write-up: Though they seemed more than a little overwhelmed by the immensity of the AMD stage (“We’re not used to communicating on this scale,” lead singer Robin Pecknold apologized) when the awkward banter finally dissolved into music, it was fantastic. “Ragged Wood” always gives me goosebumps—and even today, in the heat of the day, they rolled right up my sweaty legs. ... read more
Found in: Blogs, FestivusDownload Festival 2008 - Philadelphia, PA - 8/2/08
Above: The Duke SpiritPhotos taken at Download Festival by Joseph Longo... read more
Found in: Blogs, 1000 WordsCatching Up With... Man Man
If Man Man confuses you, you’re not alone. On first glance, the band seems filled with dedicated jokesters, recording with junkyard instruments and performing in odd concert attire (consisting, oftentimes, of white cutoffs and war paint). But if you look a bit deeper you'll find... read more
Found in: Music, FeaturesMan Man: Rabbit Habits
Following its pair of bizarrely excellent albums for... read more
Found in: Music, ReviewsMan Man and Yeasayer join forces for (best) tour (ever)
Ferocious live bands pair up all the time to conquer a few lucky cities. In fact, one of the subjects of this very news item, Yeasayer, hasn't quite finished doing just that with MGMT, two bands Paste writer Jeremy Goldmeier predicted will be "a pretty big deal over the next few years, if they aren't already dominating your eardrums." But sometimes, just sometimes, two bands that are so wildly awesome live get together and pandemonium breaks out. You can imagine our delight, then, when we discovered earlier today that Yeasayer and the constantly gigging Philly boys of Man Man will... read more
Found in: Music, NewsMan Man tours, announces Rabbit Habits release date
Just in case your recent listening habits haven't involved enough facial hair, carnival references or all-out madness, the men men of Man Man are prepping a new album. Rabbit Habits, as it will be called, is set for an April 8 release on Anti-. This new label home finds the band cozying up to Tom Waits, DeVotchka and Grinderman, amongst many others. Not too shabby at all. About a month before the new album drops, Man Man will hit the road. See below for tour dates and Rabbit Habits tracklisting. Tracklist: 1. Mister Jung Stuffed 2. Hurly / Burly 3.... read more
Found in: Music, NewsMan Man tours with Modest Mouse and more
Man Man is back on the tour circuit, announcing 39 new dates around the country. Man, that's a lot of touring, man. The band's junkyard-carnival music has taken certain parts of our fragile music world by storm. What was once a distinct sound unique to eastern Europe now brings nods of familiarity within the scene, trademarked by groups like these Philadelphia fellows, Beirut and Gogol Bordello, tearing a seam in the traditional softly-sung singer-songwriter style. Having started the tour with its "Free-a-ladelphia!" - which was exactly as it sounds (zero cost, Pennsylvania-based) - the group really starts pounding the pavement... read more
Found in: Music, NewsMan Man tours, possibly avoids Oreos
No, we're not talking about Man-Man (comics), Man to Man (movie) or man-on-man (scandalous link removed). Rather, we're talking Man Man, the wonderfully creative circus of a rock band out of Philadelphia. When we last spoke with lead singer Ryan Kattner (AKA: Honus Honus), he and his bandmates were hitting the road. They're at it again, following the recent mastering of their third album, and it's no surprise considering this quote from our late-October conversation: "[Touring] is pretty much our life right now," Kattner says. "You do get kind of worn out after a while. Playing is great, but it's... read more
Found in: Music, News
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