The Breeders at the Fine Line

Went to see the Breeders again yesterday, and they really never fail to amaze me. This show was arguably even better than last year's... and that's saying something. Maybe it's because I was directly under Kim for this one...
They opened with "Hoverin'," while Kim manned the snare (well, mostly-- I know your drumroll secret, Kim) and sang. Kim and Kelley are as cool as ever. They're a perfectly polite and amiable pair. I love them both. Cheryl seems well acclamated now, as well. She handled herself surprisingly well when Kelley ripped out one of her red dreadlocks. Plan on seeing a Kelley Deal bag with an ratty old red dread for the handle in the future. Mando and Jose didn't talk much, as usual, but they played their instruments phenomenally (like always). There was no lack of variety with songs from every album, plus Amps. Their sets are always great... they don't neglect their older albums like some bands will. The Breeders, they've got it down. They know how to put on a great show, and they do everytime.

P.S.--I love you Kim, and I'm happy I got to experience you spitting on me!

Conglomeration

First: Let us wish our dear Nelson Mandela happy birthday. Happy 91st, Madiba! You're a hero!

Next: Going to see the Breeders again on August the 11th. I'm getting pretty ecstatic about that. Plus, I learned how to properly open a banana--hint, try pinching the other side. I've been playing my saw on the roof and I got a pair of sunglasses at the antique store for 400 cents that make me look like Dr. Strangelove and I've begun the construction of my tiny cardboard house. Lots of things I've done.

And, I have gotten through most of one of the grandparents' photo albums, which I dubbed the Brown Album. Sounds like a Beatles or Weezer type of name, doesn't it. This one was filled with zillions of old ones of my grand-relatives and their relatives and it is all just brilliant. Here I have

a couple of my favorites. On the left is my late Uncle Butch (recall?) holding a rat he caught. The little mobster on the right is my Grandpa Tony, whom I idolize, standing ring with a huge pile of wood making for a picturesque backdrop. These are circa 1935 or 36, making Butch and Grandpa around 13 and 9 years old, respectively.

Honestly, I never get tired of looking at these. Maybe it's just a personal obsession, but when I look at them it's like visiting an alternate space, and I try to piece that these are the people I know. Time, man, it's a bloody spaceship. I'll put up more of these soon, hopefully.

The Breeders: Fate to Fatal (Reprise)

Oh yes.

This was setting on my stoop today and I'm pretty excited about having it. I set the needle on it right away, and I must say, it's really good. Yes.

The Breeders: Fate to Fatal

The Breeders have a new EP coming out on Tuesday entitled "Fate to Fatal," about which I am feeling pretty happy. They're releasing with recognition to Record Store Day, which quite possibly is my new favorite holiday. With Mountain Battles out just last year, it's good to see another release from the Deals, who are wonderful. And hopefully, a tour, so I can see them again. The "Fate to Fatal" video is up now, and it's a really cool song. It's just... cool. So keen sounding. Here, have a listen:



And don't forget about Breeders Digest.

The Breeders at First Ave.

So, last Friday, my mum surprised me with the news that we could attend the Breeders show at First Avenue in Minneapolis. Some eighteen years later, and we get to see one of my hero bands live. Needless to say, I was pretty ecstatic.

So we endured a lame opening band, and when those crazy Breeders finally came out, we kind of erupted. Kim and Kelley were pretty laid back, and they have such a charisma, we all were taken by their aura. They opened the set with a cover (not sure of what, however), and played a variety of songs from all over their career, including the Amps' 'Pacer,' and classics like 'Iris,' 'Fortunately Gone,' Beatles cover 'Happiness is a Warm Gun,' and 'Safari,' as well as brand new tunes like 'We're Gonna Rise,' and 'Walk it Off.' They talked about Dayton, and made fun of Mando, switched instruments and made everyone want to rock out. The Deal sisters are absolutely wonderful, silly musicians. I fell in even deeper love with them after seeing them live. I'm curious what the future has in store for them... eighteen years, numerous member changes, and they're still rocking.

This is my ode to you, Deal sisters! ¡Viva los Breeders!

The Breeders: Mountain Battles

The Breeders' long-awaited new album has been out for over a month now, so I suppose I ought to write something with regards to it.
The packaging of the CD is beautiful and artsy, so one's anticipation for the actual music inside rises as you peel off the celophane.
The album opens with 'Overglazed,' a short anthemic tune to sing along with. The single 'We're Gonna Rise' is the highlight track four, and debatedly the best and most nostalgic song on the record. It moves along until the final song, 'Mountain Battles,' a mellow, broken down weep & sleep.
The album was good, because it was by the Breeders, but in all honesty, a bit confusing. My biggest complaint over the whole thing is its non-cohesive-ness. Each song alone is good, but when you have 'Bang On,' 'German Studies,' 'We're Gonna Rise,' Eastern 'Istanbul,' Spanish ode 'Regalame Esta Noche,' Tasties cover 'It's The Love,' and 'Mountain Battles' juxtaposed next to one another, it makes for a choppy, many-part record. I think the Onion AV Club said it best... it's more like a collection of Kim b-sides. Nevertheless, it is the return of our favorite Kim Deal band, and the album is a keeper.

Take a listen to the single 'We're gonna rise':
http://www.zshare.net/audio/539566526ffc63/