Everyone had a time in their youth where the only thing that mattered was the five seconds in front of their face, and how fun they could possibly make that exact moment. Nice Purse is the epitome of that time of your life, because they’re living it right now. Their album Black Medal (not Metal, sorry Norway), is a half hour of what sounds like lighthearted, innocent 50’s pop, but proves to be much more when it delves into the darker aspects of young love, young lust, and acid trips. These kids, headed by France Camp and Ian Davis, make you reminisce so hard during Black Medal that you won’t know whether you were day dreaming or if you were awake at the end (Inception? eh forget it). This album would be a guilty pleasure if it wasn’t so well crafted. Whether you go back to school in the fall or not, get these summer-friendly tunes (out tomorrow) and let this album ride you through the Fall and beyond.
After four short excruciating months, Glee mania yet again delivered us to the halls of McKinley High where we last left off with a mid-season feel good ending. But before we could say ‘Hello‘ the fairy tale reared an ugly turn, by way of newly reinstated Sue Sylvester. While Sylvester is determined to ‘give hell‘ to Mr. Schue and the Glee Club; she isn’t the only menace. As we start to see new characters, some of our favorite storylines start to implode before our eyes.
The episode begins with Finn’s jockiness yet again colliding with his alter Glee-go (I can go all day). Finn and Rachel are dating (“at least she sure thinks they are“), but right off the bat we see him struggling with their new relationship. And after channeling his inner-Morrison, he calls it off with Rachel just in time to take out Cheerios Brittany and Santana, who will make out with each other if he pays for their dinner, which is“…like the best deal ever.”
Unfortunately for Finn, his attempt to date other people (at the same time) made him realize he wanted Rachel back. But his breakup with Rachel paved the way for her to meet Jesse St. James (played by Jonathan Groff*), the star of none other than Vocal Adrenaline (New Directions’ arch rival!) The two bond over Lionel Richie while performing at a book store with a piano that is more conveniently placed than the McKinley High back-up band.
While Finn and Rachel are splitsville (or are they?), at least we still have Will and Emma. Until Emma’s quirks start to cause tension, including a bomb of a revelation (virgin? I smell a set-up for next week’s Madonna episode). But in a surprise attack as big as a “pearly white harbor” we see Will also fraternizing with the enemy! When he goes to approach Vocal Adrenaline coach Shelby Corcoran (Idina Menzel**), about the ever-suspicious timing of the Jesse/Rachel relationship he finds himself calling the kettle black. (see left)
Will starts to understand that he has “never been good at being alone.” Emma agrees that Will needs to take some time to find himself, and as fast as they could say Hello, our favorite couple is now saying Goodbye.
With the fate of New Directions lying ahead at Regionals, we’re starting to see a new storyline of love sabotage starting to bloom. But there’s no doubt the ‘back nine’ episodes will give us as many memories as the first 13. In anticipation for next week’s Madonna episode, let’s watch Sue Sylvester’s hilarious version of Vogue:
Listen to some of the music featured in tonight’s episode:
Glee Cast – Gives You Hell
Glee Cast – Hello, Goodbye
*Jonathan Groff co-starred inthe Original Broadwaycast of Spring Awakening with Lea Michele who plays Rachel
**Idina Menzel starred in the Original Broadway casts of Rent and Wicked
Toro Y Moi came through the Twin Cities on Friday to play for the crowd at the Turf Club. He showed his resiliance by improving some of his tunes after his laptop was stolen. Twin Cities photographer Kate Gustafson was in the building and was nice enough to share some of her fantastic photos with us. (Check out her portfolio HERE)
Flying Lotus came to Minneapolis last night and brought his other-worldly music with him. The man’s music uses sounds that almost can’t be translated to written word (unless you know what I mean what I say his ‘thwuh’ sound runs through many of his songs). I read an article that described his music as an almost hard-disk jazz and that is probably the best description I’ve heard so far. He had the packed Loft crowd going off less than a minute into his set and the energy never let down. “That man loves what he does,” ATF’s Josh Sidney said as we watched him rock the crowd with an ear to ear smile.
The Kissaway Trail came through Minneapolis and put on a set that captivated a mildly uninterested crowd. And with the demographic of the crowd that was at the show, that was a feat in and of itself. The band doused the crowd with epic guitar builds, the likes of Explosions in the Sky, mixed with the rhythmic stylings of Mew and the vocals that reminded me of Win Butler. This band may be your favorite hipster’s new favorite band so get on them now!
Check out the lead single from their album Sleep Mountain (Out 4.20)
Our friends over at elitaste are at it again with a mixtape to end all mixtapes featuring more exclusives than TMZ. Their SXSW mixtape features unreleased tracks from Mike Posner, XV, WALE, Chester French, our good friend Gigamesh (Discotech), Minneapolis act Estate, and asscrams more.
Washington’s The Lonely Forest came through Portland last night and played a vibrant set for a full crowd at Doug Fir. The band is touring with We Were Promised Jetpacks. Check out some photos below:
The Boy Who Couldn’t Sleep and Never Have To is the debut novel from writer/actor/rapper DC Pierson (Mystery Team, Community). This novel features your run-of-the-mill teenage plot development. Isolated, awkward high school boy loves to draw. Awkward boy meets extra-awkward boy who is equally isolated. They bond over love of science fiction. They become best friends. Awkward boy falls in love with girl. Best friend ends up taking girl. They fight, they make-up. The End. Oh wait, somewhere in there, extra-awkward boy admits he can’t sleep and has never been able to. Awkward boy becomes determined to test the bounds and limits of such a power/ability (or lack of ability). It turns into a fast-paced adventure when their greatest fear (The man in the suit) finds out and tries to capture the ‘never-sleeper.’
Pierson’s novel is full of charm built on the basis that growing up is hard no matter who you are. Throw in an abstract ability like not having to sleep and its bound to complicate the already tough high school lifestyle. The characters drive this tale, which goes past analysis of teenage culture to add evocative moments on top of brooding science fiction action. The Boy Who Couldn’t Sleep and Never Had To is a novel that provides entertainment, humor, and adventure that works for anyone, young or old.
***ABOVE THE FOLD is giving away TWO COPIES of Pierson’s new book! E-mail contests[at]above-thefold[dot]com with DC Pierson in the subject line for your chance to win a copy. Winners will be chosen February 17.***
Last night Rhymesayers did its part for the people of Haiti when they put on their benefit show at First Avenue. The night was witnessed by a sold out crowd who with their ticket purchases and kind donations helped raise over $30,000 according to Slug. The show featured performances from local superstar Brother Ali, Sage Francis and B. Dolan, I Self Divine, Sims, and more.
On Saturday night we saw First Avenue turn into a venue for a Haiti benefit show that featured some of MPLS’ most talented performers. The night was a huge success as Jen Boyles of City Pages announced at the end of the night (700+ tickets sold). We had monstrous performances from both Solid Gold and Mark Mallman seperately, as well as one song together when Mallman guested on Solid Gold‘s cover of Kenny Loggins’ Highway to the Danger Zone.
Solid Gold put on a high energy show, which First Avenue crowds have grown accustomed to in the past year. But no performer matched the energy of MPLS’ favorite showman Mark Mallman
Leading into Mallman’s energetic performance was one of my favorite MPLS music acts Peter Wolf Crier. This duo’s songs will take you to new heights of emotion in all directions, but ultimately leave you with a smile on your face.
The night’s opening band was Zoo Animal who has somehow taken a played out sound and turned it into something completely their own. It is very exciting to see these newer MPLS acts pushing the envelope.
To see more photos from the night’s festivities jump lanjut →
