October 27, 2008

CMJ '08: It's A Photo Wrap

The crapshoot buffet of 25 minute sets from overextended bands is now closed, thanks. When you're out all day and all night, you encounter lots -- some undercooked and unpalatable flller, some that's ripe and right, lots never intended for consumption (CMJ set delays, so hott right now). We've posted some standouts already, but here are pics from a few more bands that made a mark, from an ever improving (and member of the Class Of The Overbooked @ CMJ) Takka Takka to a shot of Passion Pit's too-packed Pianos set, etc. Others in the spread include "Stuck On Repeat" siren/2008 pop fix Little Boots, the Forms (boasting a new keyboard-based lineup bringing their more ethereal elements to the fore), the conceptual and madcap genius of Reggie Watts (please see him), and the witty folk of the heartonastick-approved Emmy The Great. At Pianos, Bell killed with the help of her keytar and a drummer she should never let get away, and caUSE co-MOTION! followed with another of the fest's finest, nailing down 30-minutes of snotty, kinetic reverbed pop songs.

The toughest act for me to catch was School Of Seven Bells, whose gauzy, (dancing)shoe-gazer dream pop was finally on display following a 75 minute delay at FADER Fort, after I'd already waited for an ultimately canceled set at Cake Shop a few days earlier. They only had time for three songs, but after all that hunting, I'm glad I saw 'em; Ben Curtis's new project with the On!AirILibrary! twins isn't dangerous, but the trio's doing it right with some great singles, a cute acronym (SVIIB), and an apparent love for strobe lights and black clothes. And that up there, that is a picture of Marnie Stern, who I caught three times this week (including our show) because she's the shit and that's all there is to it. Anyway! Just one pic per band here so it's a quick scroll for anything short of a dialup. This marks the end of our CMJ 2008 recap, but stay tuned for a look at our five favorite sets from this year's fest.

CAUSE CO-MOTION @ PIANOS

LITTLE BOOTS @ KNITTING FACTORY

TAKKA TAKKA @ CAKE SHOP

REGGIE WATTS @ THE BELL HOUSE

EMMY THE GREAT @ PIANOS

PONYTAIL @ FADER

AU @ PIANOS

THE PHYSICS OF MEANING @ PIANOS

AWESOME NEW REPUBLIC @ ANNEX

BELL @ PIANOS

SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLS @ FADER

PASSION PIT @ PIANOS

VIOLENS @ BOWERY

THE FORMS @ PIANOS

FIGHT BITE @ PIANOS

MARNIE STERN @ CAKE SHOP

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1 Comments

Do i like Arthur mag? I still don't know what's going on there ... if their aim is true.
It does seem to me that Marnie should be on the October issue. Besides having a great new album she's an interesting interview(pitchfork) and photogenic. I thought Arthur" was interesting when they did that Joanna Newsom article for instance... but then she has the perfect persona for that crowd.

Posted by: Side Car II at 10/27/08 5:49 PM | Reply
Score = -1