Last weekend, I got to check out the Dodos live.  I went with a good friend who was in town from San Francisco who had just seen them play earlier in the week and said they were somewhat awkward and it wasn't the best of shows.  Well she changed her tune after seeing them again...they were absolutely fantastic! 

They reminded me of the White Stripes -- when I saw them for the first time (ahem, at Empty Bottle back in 99 or 2000, and Bob Nastanovich from Pavement was in the audience jumping around like a Mexican bean) and couldn't belive that much sound could come out of just two people.  Well the Dodos are three, which does give them a huge advantage in that comparison, BUT the amount of orchestration and ingenuity that came out of those three (young!) musicians was really astounding.  Lead singer Meric really belts out the songs -- his voice is clear and lovely in the live setting.

Very impressed and happy to see their live show matched their album goodness.  Syd from Les Savy Fav said at Coachella that they signed the Dodos to French Kiss Records after they saw them live -- they were blown away.  I totally see why they wanted to sign them on the spot. 

This weekend -- Part Time Punk Festival...Pylon and A Certain Ratio!  The first time ACR has played in the States since 1985.  Boner!  Will give all y'all a full report...

xo

So this weekend is Detour fest...it's my first time at the festival on the streets of Downtown Los Angeles, and it should be pretty sweet.  Cut Copy Cut Copy Cut Copy -- never let me down as they always put on the best of shows. 

It's going to be hard to live up to my last couple weeks of rock I've been lucky enough to see.  The week before last was:

1) Cat Power (did great not hiding behind her piano -- a lead singer, owned that stage), Spiritualized (no orchestral set thank you very much, please bring on the dope rock!), and Nick Cave -- who I've never seen before and really blew me away.  He's like a the Man in Black gone lounge singer.  Baddas.  This was at the Hollywood Bowl -- first time there!

2) My Morning Jacket at the Greek.  Another outdoor show -- and for as many times as I've seen them live, they never cease to amaze me.  Really an outstanding performance -- both sweet and warm yet simultaianously haunting.  One of the best band, if not THE best, out there.  They just need that ommph, that push, to get them in with the big guns.  They SO deserve it.

3) Street Scene in San Diego -- highlights were Eagles of Death Metal, Ghostland Observatory, and Does It Offend You KILLED it.  Not to mention...Devo!  One of those bands you easily forget how many songs that you like are by them.  The looked older of course, but you don't need to be in Diamond Dave level shape to pull off those robotic moves.

Phew!  Viva la Rock.

Check this out -- the coolest little thing I've seen since Sleevefacing.

http://www.thetoyzone.com/20-album-covers-recreated-in-lego/

Love these!  I think my favorite is the cover of Nevermind.  Ahhh, legos.