I'm A Bear! Etc.

REVIEW/PHOTOS: Tame Impala at Georgia Theatre

tim — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:12:57 +0000

Tame Impala has rarely toured the states as extensively as they will on this tour so it’s with great enthusiasm that I got to see their first proper show in the state of Georgia. The Australian band featuring mastermind Kevin Parker and company took the stage to a sold out crowd at the Georgia Theatre to one of the best shows I’ve had the pleasure of seeing.

I’m not shy about my affection for all the great talent coming out of Perth currently with Tame Impala, POND and now The Growl. There must be something in the water there; but Kevin Parker is their king as it would seem. Based on the crowd, it also seems as though many of the fans in attendance for this show had also seen Kevin Parker and company the night before in Asheville and warned of Parker’s sickly vocals. Regardless, he put on a great show.

A barefoot Parker and the rest of his touring band emerged at 10:15 and kicked into an untitled jam before launching into ‘Lonerism’ single “Apocalypse Dreams”, vocals clear and all. Parker commands much of the stage, but only because he’s the clear focus of this show; everyone here considers him a music genius. He takes liberties to extend songs longer or experiment in the middle of tracks; the audience doesn’t mind. The stand-out of the night is when they dig deep in their catalog and pull out the track “Half Glass Full of Wine” which considering how good it is on record, it becomes their live staple. Parker kicks into “Half Glass” as the last track before the encore and the song burns for 7-8 minutes as guitar experimentation hits its peak.

It’s remarkable the band that Parker has assembled to play his eccentric songs, and it was an absolute blast to see these songs come alive and expanded in the live setting. Due to the success of singles like “Elephant” and “Feels Like We Only Go Backwards”, Tame Impala is reaching a wider audience, but their live show and career seems to just be getting started. I highly recommend you join the ride.

TO SEE FULL PHOTO GALLERY FOR TAME IMPALA GO HERE.

Setlist:

-Intro
-Apocalypse Dreams
-Solitude is Bliss / Jam
-Enders Toi / Jam
-Music to Walk Home By
-Elephant
-Why Won’t You Make Up Your Mind?
-Feels Like We Only Go Backwards
-Be Above It
-Mind Mischief
-Alter Ego
-Half Glass Full of Wine

Encore
-Nothing’s That Has Happened So Far Has Been Anything We Could Control

Generationals “Spinoza

tim — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 01:14:47 +0000

I’ve been a big fan of Generationals ever since their slightly Brit-pop ‘Con Law’. Since then they’ve consistently put out great new music each year. They’re still underrated and under appreciated for their knack of crafting perfect, breezy pop songs and the first track from their 3rd album ‘Heza’ titled “Spinoza” is no different.

Listen: Generationals – Spinoza (Via Soundcloud)

The Everywhere’s Frightened Face

tim — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 01:54:19 +0000

Here’s another killer track for those who like laid back landscapes of songs. In the same vein of recent chill-vibes like Mac DeMarco and Ducktails, you’ll likely enjoy this new track from The Everywheres. The hook is catchy and the song conjures up feelings that get you ready for warmer weather.

Go here to listen to ‘Frightened Face’ by The Everywhere’s (Via Bandcamp)

Marnie Stern “Nothing is Easy”

tim — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 02:20:21 +0000

Marnie Stern wants you to know she’s still making music and that she’s serious and not-so-serious about it. As you may have heard by now, the title of her upcoming LP is “The Chronicles of Marnia” which makes perfect sense to everyone except for people who hold the Narnia franchise dearly, perhaps. The second single she’s released ahead of time is the upbeat “Nothing is Easy” which is surpassingly less metal and more optimistic than you would expect. Regardless, it is essential listening and something to hold us over til the new record drops on March 19th.

Go here to listen to Marnie Stern’s “Nothing Is Easy” (Via Soundcloud)

Pond “Tortoise”

tim — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 04:54:06 +0000

The members of Tame Impala that aren’t Kevin Parker love creating music as a group and outside of Tame Impala you’ll find them jamming as part of POND. It’s a side-project of sorts but you’ll hear influences from other 60′s and 70′s bands whereas Kevin Parker’s Tame Impala project explores specific 70′s influences. They released Beards, Wives, Denim last year, a collection of songs that had recorded a while back. It looks like they have a follow up ready to go and they released the first track “Tortoise” earlier today. It’s a killer track that builds off what they’ve (presumably) learned from Tame Impala. I couldn’t be more excited for the full record to hit soon.

Grab a download of Pond’s “Tortoises” over at their website.

Welcome to 2013

tim — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 04:49:18 +0000

Welcome to 2013 at I’m A Bear! Etc. 2012 was a great year but I’m looking forward to putting more focus back on this blog this year. You can look forward to more local coverage as well as as our normal coverage. Expect to see more photo galleries, show reviews, track premieres and mixes.

To properly get 2013 started off, I thought I’d list the 5 albums I’m most looking forward to in 2013.

1. The National (TBA): There’s been rumors of The National recording over the past year, and they recently premiered some new songs live. PASTE and Pitchfork are reporting that 2013 will be a year of a new album from The National and I couldn’t be happier. With High Violet featuring the peak of their sound, will they keep going or slow down a bit? I can’t wait to find out.

2. Local Natives “Hummingbird (January): Local Natives had one of the strongest debuts I’ve ever heard back in 2010. It was amplified by how well they handled the material live and how much of a fanbase they built. Now with the help of Bryan Devandorf of The National, their sound is getting a bit softer and more deliberate. I can’t wait to see how this band has progressed over the past few years.

3. The Besnard Lakes “Until In Excess, Imperceptible UFO” (April 2): The Besnard Lakes aren’t a singles band, but if you’re wanting a progressive rock album that takes you many places, then look out for this. The Besnard Lakes Are The Roaring Night was one of my favorite releases of 2010 and as a full piece it is astounding. I can only imagine what they’ve been able to craft for their follow up.

4. Yeah Yeah YEahs (TBA): We know Karon O and company are getting ready a follow up to It’s Blitz but we have no idea what it will sound like. I’m guessing it’ll be a nod back to their earlier garage rock days, but I can’t say I didn’t enjoy their short trip to electronic rock. Look out for this one in spring.

5. The Knife (TBA): The Knife hasn’t released an album in a long time, so this one is a big deal. Knowing how they do music, I’m guessing this one will have a lot of weird names and long tracks. The only thing I can really hope is for a US Tour behind the record, but I’m not holding my breath.

Qurious’ Void Vanishing

tim — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 04:21:45 +0000

Qurious is a rising Atlanta-based band. Having seen them live a few times I can attest to their outerworldy feel of their live shows. They’ve recorded a new album and take that feel to record with Void Vanishing.

They had this to say about the record:

“Whether from headphones or on stage, one is inevitably caught spellbound. The siren-like vocals which lay atop the depths of keyboard/sample-based aural tapestries capture intellects and sway those fleshy physical forms into dance. With compositions as various and interesting as their subject matter, Qurious challenges audiences to follow them through the melodic looking-glass, venturing into a more cerebral listening experience.”

Listen for yourself over at their bandcamp.

Local Natives “Breakers”

tim — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 04:00:26 +0000

Local Natives have finally finished up their follow-up to Gorilla Manor and if the production of their first track is any indication, the hooks are gone for something deeper. The album was produced by The National’s Brian Devendorf and will be released January 29th, 2013 if we make it until then. I’m betting this isn’t the end of the world and we get to see a moodier Local Natives record in 2013.

Listen to the first single “Breakers” at Soundcloud.

Divine Fits at Terminal West

tim — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 03:28:13 +0000

Divine Fits took the stage in Atlanta last night and it was a spectacular show. The signs don’t show that is a weak supergroup by any means. Both Britt Daniels and Boekner were at full capacity last night as they played through “A Thing Called Divine Fits” with enthusiasm. Surprise guest Bradford Cox of Deerhunter fame came out to cover Rolling Stones with them in the encore.

Check out photos over at Flickr.

Tame Impala “Elephant”

tim — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 03:54:18 +0000

Tame Impala recently released their follow-up to Innerspeaker called Lonerism. The follow-up takes Tame Impala’s signature sound and adds a little ELO, ELP, Supertramp and lots of other 70′s references that are evident. What’s even more stunning is how they craft these influences into their own unique sound.

Listen to “Elephant” over at soundcloud.