The National hail from Cincinnati,Ohio and craft a unique brand of indie rock Americana. Lead singer's Matt Berninger's textured baritone and self-aware lyrics anchor the band's sound, earning the group a multitude of Leonard Cohen comparisons. The remainder of the band is comprised of two sets of brothers, who give the band a distinctly American quality. The National are one of the top-selling bands of the Beggar's Banquet Records' star-studded subsidiary 4AD, and the band received increased exposure and critical attention after opening for REM on their Accelerate Tour, and following their heavy support of Barack Obama during the 2008 election. Obama even used their track "Fake Empire" upon official acceptance of the Democratic Party's nomination in August 2008.
The group's 2005 album, "Alligator," remains my favorite recording of theirs, with its unafraid introspection and honest musings on urban malaise. The band's 2008 album, "Boxer," is just as successful, and finds Berninger writing more winsome tracks of despair enhanced by plaintive guitar chords.
The group is headlining Saturday night, performing on Stage A at 8:40.
In the past, the opening night of Pitchfork Music Festival has involved a collaboration with the creative voices behind All Tomorrow's Party. In this collaborative effort, a iconic group has played a classic album of theirs in its entirety, providing fans a thoroughly satisfying live music experience. Acts have included Sonic Youth performing all of 1988's "Daydream Nation," and Mission of Burma performing their 1982 recording, "Vs."
This year, however, the festival is exploring a new route by allowing fans to directly participate in curating the band's set list. Upon purchasing a pass to the festival, fans are invited to vote for their favorite tracks by the bands performing on Friday night. The performers for this evening are Yo La Tengo, Built To Spill, Jesus Lizard, and Tortoise. All four bands have a rich, diverse discography and I am eagerly anticipating this democratization of the concert experience.
I have had the pleasure of attending multiple Yo La Tengo concerts, including their intimate, highly coveted Hanukkah shows at Maxwell's a venue in their home base of Hoboken, New Jersey. Yo La Tengo have been recording as an inimitable triad since the early eighties and their musical outpouring ranges from gorgeous, subdued love songs to ten minute noise freakouts. The group is extremely loyal to their fanbase and have always humbly honored audience requests when I have seen them live. I can't wait to see the band artfully maneuver between guitar- shredding unrelenting noise rock and plaintive dream pop, and I have attached some mp3 files which encompass the group's discursive sound. "Nowhere Near" from their album, "Painful," is to me the ultimate Yo La Tengo song, because it traces the band's singular aesthetic in its six minutes of beauty. Beginning with a simple piano backbeat, jangly guitar chords, and candid, romantic lyrics the song organically builds into a heartfelt chorus of disappointment, "Everybody's here/But you're nowhere near." Finally, the song culminates with a killer, guitar solo that gives the song a haunting, indelible quality.
Hopefully, my selections will make Friday night's set list. The group is slated to perform at 6:10 on Stage A.
KRLX is pleased to announce that in a mere 22 days, representatives from our glorious 100 watts of student-controlled noise, will take on Chicago and attend the finest independent music festival in the country. In the next few weeks we will provide frequent coverage of bands we are excited to hear at the festival, and general fanfare surrounding this three-day weekend of sonic perfection. This year's line-up features perennial KRLX favorites like Grizzly Bear, M83, The Thermals, The Walkmen, and Vivian Girls. We will supply up to the minute tweets live from the event, to give all KRLX supporters a glimpse of the sights, sounds, and smells taking place within Union Park.
See the festival's official website for more information on the event: http://www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com/index.php
By Eric Handler, Emily Thomas on June 3, 2009 in cbn
Light vs. Dark side in an epic battle of nerdiness. Sci-fi vs. the brain. Computers, fruit and more. Levar Burton as host of Reading Rainbow, Geordi LeForge and Kunta Kinte.
This is the final round of the season. Vote now; the winner will be declared Carleton's Biggest Nerd!
Illinois senator Roland Burris isn't hiding after the release of a transcript in which he offers to help the then-Governor Rod Blagojevich's campaign fund.
Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotamayor launches her outreach campaign to several key senators.
Plus- A bomb attack kills 23 in Pakistan. Find out why Pakistan blames the Taliban.
And- Protecting an ancient city from the threat of an earthquake or destroying its culture? Learn more about the fight to save the Chinese city of Kashgar.
By Alistair Johnston on June 3, 2009 in philosophy
The final philosophy radio show with its current group of hosts will see some teary eyed farewells, reflections, and probably a bunch of music. Go Knights!
Please don't keep checked out CDs over the summer! The record library closes on Wednesday. If you find anything you forgot to return later in the week, send me an e-mail and we can work it out. Thanks.
By Jared Evans, Eric Handler, Nathan Riemer on May 28, 2009 in heroes
A revisit with Skrall Jared. Triathlon/ 3D man vs. Crusher Crock/Sports Master. In the Best of the Bin, Nathan, picks Wonder Woman #32 and Green Lantern # 41. Ghost Rider #35 and New Avengers #53 are Jared's picks. Reviews, InFamous for PS3 and the Green Lantern Fan Trailer. Movie news, Half done, filming Iron Man 2, Thor and Loki have been cast, Chris Hemsworth, George Kirk from Star Trek. Arkham Asylum, Poison Ivy Trailer.
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