Week in Rock: Crimson and Clover Edition
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Broken Bells and Morning Benders at IrvingIt's rare and refreshing to see a double billing of bands who are both able to exceed expectations. It's especially unlikely when one looks at the arcs of the two sonically complimentary bands in question: Broken Bells, the superstar side-project of lead Shin James Mercer and Danger Mouse, and on-the-rise indie band The Morning Benders, who played to a packed house last Saturday night at Irving Plaza.It makes sense why the two bands paired together. The Morning Benders vocalist Chris Chu is in the same league as Mercer, his pure-toned out-front vocals cutting through the fog of music it's resting on top of. Their new album, The Big Echo, was produced by Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear, which seemed an apt reference in their clean guitar tones and use of space on stage. Highlights of their melodic set included "Promises," "Cold War" and set closer "Excuses," in which Chu captured and built up vocal harmonies with himself.Broken Bells could have easily turned out to be an indulgent side-project, taking the personality and vocals of The Shins, and draping it in lots of squiggly, atmospheric electronics courtesy of Danger Mouse. Instead, the 7-piece touring band brought their dense songs to life, thanks to swelling organ, two drummers and three guitarists. Mercer remains a compelling, still presence in the midst of the surprisingly big songs, a beacon of calm with a masters degree in vocal melodies that stick in your ear like gum under a desk. Highlights included the falsetto single "The Ghost Inside," "The High Road," a cover of "Crimson and Clover" by Tommy James and the Shondells (which you can see in the video below), and a cover of Smokey Robinson's classic "You Really Got a Hold on Me."
<strong>My Morning Jacket Unleash Their Discography</strong><p>Our favorite jam/classic rock/grain silo band, My Morning Jacket, who really are a <a href="http://gothamist.com/2009/01/02/gothamists_week_in_rock_auld_lang_e.php?gallery0Pic=2#gallery">killer</a> live band, announced this week that they will be performing a five night run of shows at Terminal 5 later this year. The band will be performing one of their full-length albums in its entirety each night, along with additional songs and covers from each album's time period. They'll play their 1999 debut <em>The Tennessee Fire</em> Monday, October 18th; <em>At Dawn</em> Tuesday, October 19th; <em>It Still Moves</em> Thursday, October 21st; <em>Z</em> Friday, October 22nd; and <em>Evil Urges</em> ("and beyond!") Saturday, October 23rd. Tickets go on <a href="http://www.ticketmaster.com/search?tm_link=tm_header_search&q=my+morning+jacket&search.x=0&search.y=0">pre-sale</a> June 14, with 5-show ticket packages available to fans. The individual shows will go on sale to the public on Friday, June 18th.</p>
<strong><em>Spin</em>'s 25th Anniversary</strong><p><em>Spin</em>, everyone's favorite magazine in 1996, is turning 25 years old this year! To commemorate and celebrate, they're throwing a week-long concert series with some pretty big bands. The Smashing Pumpkins will kick off the week with a performance on July 26 at Terminal 5. The Flaming Lips will perform July 27, The Black Keys will perform on July 28, and The National will perform on July 29, all at Terminal 5 as well. The week ends with a special performance by Spiritualized of their seminal 1997 album <em>Ladies & Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space</em>, at Radio City Music Hall. Tickets are on sale <a href="http://www.ticketmaster.com/promo/tjvzdw">now</a> for ZYNC Cardmembers and other American Express Cardmembers until June 13 at 10 p.m. Tickets go on sale to the general public on June 14 at 11 a.m. ET by visiting Facebook.com/ZYNC. And even if you can't attend, Spin will be streaming the performances live on the ZYNC Facebook page, as well as on SPIN.com and through select sites within the SPIN Network.</p>