I love Interpol. The foursome from New York City have three critically acclaimed/disparaged albums: Turn on the Bright Lights (2002), Antics (2004), and Our Love to Admire (2007). The most recent being their first on a major label.

Their lyrics have the decisive ability to evoke imagery of dark city allies and forlorn subway rides. Sounds pretty gloomy, right? Depends on whom you ask. Personally, I find their unsyncopated and linear approach to music to be sophisticated, innovative, and brilliantly artistic. If you haven’t listened to this phenominal band, please do yourself a favor and sample the playlist located on your left.

Perhaps these lyrics from my top 10 songs will help convey the genius I find in their music… or maybe we’re just on a different wavelength.

01. Evil
…make revision to a dream while you wait in the van

02. PDA
Yours is the only version of my desertion
that I could ever subscribe to

03. Rest My Chemistry
I’ve made hallways scenes for things to regret

04. Slow Hands
But I am married to your charms and grace
I just go crazy like the good old days
You make me want to pick up a guitar
And celebrate the myriad ways that I love you

05. C’mere
I’m in love with something real
It could be me that’s changing

06. Obstacle 1
She puts the weights into my little heart

07. Narc
Touch your thighs, I’m the lonely one
Remember that last sweat cause that was the right one

08. Pace Is The Trick
Well I see you as you take your pride, my lioness
Your defences seem wise I cannot press

09. Leif Erikson
It’s like learning a new language
Helps me catch up on my mime
If you don’t bring up those lonely parts
This could be a good time

10. Public Pervert
If time is my vessel, then learning to love
Might be my way back to sea
___________________________________________________________________

For a similar sound, I also recommend:
- Joy Division
- The Chameleons
- Echo and the Bunnymen
- Editors
- 120 Days
- Heavens

Anyone who loves music as much as we do, knows the thrill of attending a live show. There’s nothing better! After seeing north of 150 bands perform live, I’ve rummaged through my ticket stubs and listed my top 10 concerts of all time (thus far):

1. Phish at Nassau Coliseum (Uniondale, NY) - 02.28.03
2. Daft Punk at Lollapalooza (Chicago, IL) - 08.03.07
3. Roger Waters at Marcus Amphiteater (Milwaukee, WI) - 07.02.07
4. Phish at Tweeter Center (Camden, NJ) - 07.31.03
5. Coldplay at PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel, NJ) - 09.03.05
6. Interpol at Lollapalooza (Chicago, IL) - 08.04.07
7. Dave Matthews Band at Hersheypark Stadium (Hershey, PA) - 07.21.02
8. Jack Johnson at Merriweather Post Pavilion (Columbia, MD) - 09.09.05
9. Mason Jennings at The Funk Box (Baltimore, MD) - 04.26.04
10. Red Hot Chili Peppers at Bradley Center (Milwaukee, WI) - 02.28.07

It’s October, but if it weren’t for the fact that the days are progressively getting shorter, I’d still think it was July. I don’t know how the weather is for you guys in Milwaukee, but its hot/humid as sh*t here in D.C. It was around this time 3 years ago that I was first introduced to the independent music scene. Someone told me to listen to the song “New Slang” by the Shins because it would “change my life”. His name was Zach…Zach Braff. Ok, I lie…I don’t know Zach Braff. But the Garden State soundtrack began my exploration of the virtual cornucopia of amazing artists and music that constitute the independent scene. I’ll be honest, that album bores me now, as my tastes have changed substantially. But you have to give credit where it’s due.

Anyways, there is a lot of great music out there. But, as Dan said, if you are relying on the billboard top 100, you are missing out. So, while the weather is still warm, and Summer lingers in our minds, I’m going to recommend my Top 5 Tracks of the previous few months (in no particular order).

1. Blitzen Trapper “Wild Mountain Nation”
2. Aesop Rock “None Shall Pass”
3. Okkervil River “Unless it Kicks”
4. Spoon “You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb”
5. Prodigy (of Mobb Deep) “Mac 10 Handle”

To be honest, a bunch of other songs are coming to mind…so I don’t know if those are the “top” tracks, but they are bombs nonetheless.

In astonishing fashion, it appears as though the best is still yet to come after an amazing summer (see Blake’s last post for insider details) that was filled with a bevy of great live shows. After kicking things off with Bloc Party at the Pabst Theater here in Milwaukee last month, we checked out Mason Jennings at Shank Hall last week. Both shows were incredible to say the least. Looking ahead to the fall and winter months, activity in the Milwaukee and Chicago indie music scene is more alive than ever. See below for details and check back for concert reviews after this forthcoming bender that will include Fujiya & Miyagi and Tokyo Police Club in Chicago, as well as Spoon and Wilco back in Milwaukee. Sweet!

So here it is… my favorite songs of Summer 2007. And what a phenomenal summer it was. The first summer in Milwaukee. Lollapalooza. Sparks. Road Trips. Sippowitz. Buffett. 24 hrs of Flickr. Skydiving. 3rd Ward Dunk Contest. The Offsets. China. Summerfest Kickoff Party. Fourth of July in Chicago. Waffle Fries…FOR FREE. Interpol. Lake Michigan. Dude, Jaeger Bombs. “Nobody has more fun than we do”
… little inside, we know.

• 7/4 (Shoreline) (Broken Social Scene)
  This song is unbelievable. So many sounds. So many great sounds. Such a bad description. Just listen to it.
• Darkness Between the Fireflies (Mason Jennings)
  “Jealousy, ain’t got no use for me”
• Parade of Punk Rock T-Shirts (Maritime)
  Just listen to the first few chords… you’ll like it too.
• Rest My Chemistry (Interpol)
  With mean guitar riffs and lyrics that paint a picture, it was this one that stuck out immediately on the new (very good) album.
• I’d Rather Dance with You (Kings of Convenience)
  You know, I didn’t like their name when I first heard it (and I still don’t really), but the super talented front man, Erlend Øye, makes the song. And I would rather dance with you than talk to you.
• O Valencia! (The Decemberists)
  The Decemberists are pretty polarizing. You love them or hate them (Tad hates them). I love them, especially when they consistently deliver lyrical, story-telling songs like these.
• Collarbone (Fujiya & Miyagi)
  These guys get lots of real estate on this blog because they’re good. Really good. This song takes me back to Kindergarten. And let’s face it. It’s all been down hill since then.
• Young Folks (Peter Bjorn and John)
  I’m still whistling this song more than I care to admit. Great video too.
• Robot Rock (Daft Punk)
  OK. Hard choice here. Obviously I would pick a DP song, but which one? This one just reminds me of the great time we had a Lolla this year. Two words in the whole song. Genius. Starts the party.
• Hospital Beds (Cold War Kids)
  We saw these guys in Milwaukee before they hit it big. The lead singer has PIPES and steals the show.

Honorable Mention:

• Your English Is Good (Tokyo Police Club) This is only honorable mention because I couldn’t find it on Deezer to play for you. Damnit. Great song.
• Night Ripper album (Girl Talk) Impossible to appreciate it with one song. This guy is an artist with his crazy mash-ups.
• Discovery album (Daft Punk) Do yourself a favor and rent Interstella 5555… You’ll understand, just do it.
• Bohemian Like You (Dandy Warhols) The most intellectually satisfying song I’ve heard in years. Best Lyric - “I really love your hairdo yeah, I’m glad you like mine too, See we’re looking pretty cool”