What The Hell Am I Listening To?!?

The two best records to come out of North Carolina so far in 2009:

Birds Of Avalon (Raleigh, NC)


Photo by Justin Lyon

I remember catching Birds Of Avalon open for Beach House a couple of years ago and thinking that they would be something special one day. Well, that day seems to have come with the release of their newest record, Uncanny Valley. The album was recorded completely with analog equipment and their sound is heavily rooted in ’60s and ’70s psych. While I’m not typically one to champion music so retro, they manage to squeeze out so much that is unique and fresh with this approach. Something about this band’s vibe makes me want to describe them as a weirder and more lo-fi MGMT, but they are really a beast all their own. They will be heading through Atlanta October 3rd, hitting up both Criminal Records and the Star Bar, so be sure to catch them and get your hands on a copy of Uncanny Valley:

Birds Of Avalon : All Your Downtime Is Up

Birds Of Avalon : Eyesore

Buy Uncanny Valley

Birds Of Avalon myspace




The Bronzed Chorus (Greensboro, NC)

My greatest discovery while on the road this summer had to be The Bronzed Chorus. Most of the time I find 2-piece bands lacking in a live setting, but this duo put on more than an impressive show. The drummer was a machine, and the guitarist had some neat gear tricks up his sleeve. Their studio work is stunning as well. I am a post-rock junkie, and I have to say that their newest effort, I’m The Spring, is one of the best of that sort I’ve heard in long time. It is difficult for an instrumental album to hold the listener’s attention throughout, but every inch of this one is completely engaging. Make sure to stop down at the Drunken Unicorn Friday night to catch them along with Georgia instrumental rock institutions A Armada and Sorry No Ferrari.

The Bronzed Chorus : Underpass Sunrise

The Bronzed Chorus : Hiding In The Woods

Buy I’m The Spring

The Bronzed Chorus myspace

What Up In The ATL?

For those of you not going to Bonnaroo this weekend, there are plenty of great shows to check out ITP:

Tonight I’m hoping to catch the show at Lenny’s that was supposed to happen yesterday at the 5 Spot. The mammoth Monday night line-up includes Apocalyptic Visions, Club of Rome, Burden of Vision, Nerdkween, Empty Jester, Rev Rebel, Cherri Swan, SoSoDeath.

Tomorrow night the Dysrhythmia, Chopper, Battlecat, We Be The Echo show at The Earl is very enticing.

Wednesday night if don’t have ticket to the sold out Vampire Weekend show at The Variety Playhouse, you can check out Mudhoney, Birds Of Avalon, Anna Kramer at The Earl or you can see Aceyalone and Dilated Peoples at The Loft.

Thursday night you should check out the Gringo Star, Colour Revolt show at The Loft.

Friday night I like Shearwater, Silver Lakes, and Jeffrey Butzer at The Earl, but Ladytron at The Variety Playhouse is cool too.

Saturday night you should check out the I Can Fly House hosting Lay Down Mains, New Brutalism, Hawks, Chrissakes.

Sunday night I recommend checking out W-S Burn at 11:11 Teahouse

Preview some bands:

Shearwater : Leviathan Bound

Colour Revolt : Naked And Red

Birds Of Avalon : Measure Of The Same

Dysrhythmia : Sleep Decayer

W-S Burn : Counting Plastic Toys

Club Of Rome : The Ballad of Phil Spector

This Weeks Shows In The A

Tommorrow night I’m really excited to check out Porturgal. The Man at the Drunken Unicorn. I’ve discovered this Alaskan band just this year and have absolutely loved their material. Go check out their myspace, go to this show, and then pickup their new album Church Mouth.

Wednesday there’s two really great shows to check out. First, if you go to the suburbs and catch Ted Leo and The Pharmacists and Birds of Avalon, a band we caught earlier this year opening for Beach House who is really great. If you want to stay ITP, three great local bands are playing at the Drunken Unicorn: Moresight, Untied States, and Elevado.

Thursday night Stickfigure Distribution has a great show at The Earl with One hand Loves The Other, Ninetynine (featuring Sleater Kinney‘s original drummer), and Strezo.

Friday night Rob’s House Records has a great show at the Earl with Deerhunter, The Spooks, and Chopper.

Here’s a few tunes to listen to:

Portugal. The Man : Church Mouth

Birds Of Avalon : Bicentential Baby

Untied States : It’s Not Goodbye

One Hand Loves The Other : Don’t Know

Deerhunter : Ponds

Photos: 3-11-07 Beach House, Birds of Avalon @ The Earl, Atlanta, GA

(Click for larger photos)

Birds of Avalon








Beach House