Summertime and the Living's Easy

Before I say anything, I would like to apologize for the lack of posting, I assure you; however, that as time progresses we will get back on track.

I would like to address that Beirut will be on what seems to be their last tour for quite sometime. Zach Condon announced that after the U.S. dates they will be taking a brief hiatus. Here's the letter that was posted on Beirut's site:

It's with great regret that I have to tell all of you that Beirut is canceling their summer European shows. My reasons for doing this are many, a lot of them personal, but I still feel I need to provide something of an explanation.

The past two years have been a mindblowing experience. From the first indications that people were putting songs from Gulag up on their blogs to our incredible tour of Australia and New Zealand that we just completed, everything that has happened has been beyond anything I'd ever hoped could happen with the music I wrote and recorded in my bedroom. Once things started happening, I decided I wanted to do everything as big as possible. So, I set about putting together a large band, and giving that band a huge sound, and making the most spectacular records we possibly could.

I know this can sound like an artist shithead kind of comment, but going through all that really does have its low points along with the highs. The responsibilities of gathering people around your vision, working with great people like those who work directly for the band and those at the label, wanting to insure that every show is as good as humanly possible so that every single person in the audience sees that we put in a real effort, all of that leads to a lot of issues in terms of doing right by people who have done you right.

It's come time to change some things, reinvent some others, and come back at some point with a fresh perspective and batch of songs.

Please accept my apologies. I promise we'll be back, in some form.

-Zach

The remaining tour dates are:

May 28 2008 8:00P
Grand Ballroom San Francisco, California
May 30 2008 8:00P
The Wiltern Los Angeles
May 31 2008 8:00P
The Wiltern Los Angeles
Jun 2 2008 8:00P
Santa Fe Brewing Co. Pub and Grill Santa Fe, New Mexico

If these dates aren't sold out already, I strongly recommend that you attend.

-Clio

I've Been Thinking...

As we draw close to the end of the year, numerous blogs give their list of the "Top 10 Albums of The Year." Personally, I think this is a tad bit cliche. How could I ever chose just 10 albums that standout above the rest. It would be clearly biased, and there are probably albums that would be far greater than anything I would have chosen, but I've just never heard of them.

I started thinking about this because I was doing my usual reading of blogs, and I came across one that asked the readers if they were stuck on an island, and they could only bring four albums, what would they chose and why. This really got to me. How could I ever only chose four albums, and never be able to listen to anything else.

This got me thinking about how fortunate most of us are. I have the privilege of carrying my whole music library, which used to be a difficult task, in the palm of my hand. I've never had to chose just one or two albums. I have all the music I could ever want at my finger tips.

Then this made me think, do I just listen to anything because music has become so accessible. I still buy albums, but not how I used to. There was a time, not to long ago, when I would research an album before I purchased it. Now I'll buy an album just for the hell of it.

I feel like spoiled kid who can just listen to whatever she wants. The sad thing is that while I type this, I am listening to ipod.

After taking all of this into account I did chose four albums that I could not live without. I'm sure that I could change it many times, but for now the four albums I would chose are...

1.The Matches - Decomposer
-Probably one of my favorite albums. I love the musical diversity, and there is a quirkiness to the album that makes it addicting.
2.Beirut- The Flying Club Cup
-This is Beirut's best album to date. I've been listening to it non stop since I first bought it.
3.Against Me! - As The Eternal Cowboy
-It was hard for me to chose just one of their albums, but I ended up with this one. Its just very consistent, not to mentioning that Turn those Clapping Hands Into Angry Balled Fists is one of my favorite songs of all time.
4.Head Automatica - Decadence
-Everything Daryl touches turns to gold. This album is amazing. Whenever I listen to it I can't help but be in a good mood, and it's the ultimate album for when your trying to pull an all-nighter too.

Feel free to post yours too

-Clio

Beirut!

If you're like me, then you were disappointed to find out that you would be forced to miss both of Beirut's performances at the Avalon this week because of your unforgiving professors and your car breaking down. However, my luck turned on October 12th when my good friend Cindy told me in jest that they would be performing a free show at Amoeba Records that same day and I could always watch the live stream online. Little did my friend know, I was determined to see Beirut, and for this very reason me and one of my friends hopped into the "mom van" and drove to LA in rush hour. Not only did we make it in time, we were able to find free parking, and as any local knows, that is nearly impossible. The drive was worth it. This was my first Beirut show, so of course I was a little hesitant because there is always the fear that they will be terrible live. Of course, this was not the case. As the mini orchestra began to play, the entire audience was silent, hanging on to every note as if it would be the last piece of music they would ever here, and let me say that if they were the last band I ever saw live, it would be a good way to go out. They mainly played music from their new album, The Flying Club Cup, which I must say is excellent, but they did play some fan favorites from Gulag Orkestar. Much to my surprise, they did not play "Elephant Gun" or "Postcards to Italy" which was refreshing considering how overplayed both of these songs are. Their tone was impeccable, and they all performed as seasoned musicians despite their age.
Afterwards they held a signing where hundreds of hipster kids stood in line waiting to get a glimpse of the man that is Zach Condon. Of course, having driven all the way to LA, which is technically only thirty minutes from my house, I stayed to have one of my favorite bands sign my cd. Overall, it was an amazing experience and I was not disappointed at all. They were extremely professional but still had an air of approachability about them, which was refreshing.




More, and higher quality, pictures can be found at:
http://www.amoeba.com/live-shows/past-performances/index.html
-Clio