James Murphy: Greenberg Soundtrack

If you're anything like us, the weeks following LCD Soundsystem's final shows have left you a tad bereft about the band's demise. In search of solutions, we stumbled upon last year's Greenberg soundtrack, which not only features a new LCD track, but original music by James Murphy.

"Original music" more often than not indicates instrumental work (see: Britt Daniel's work on Stranger Than Fiction), but Murphy's tracks almost all feature vocals, and have a nice unified feel. Murphy has noted that the tracks sound "nothing like LCD", but we'd have to disagree. While much of the electronica and carefully crafted beats are absent, it's impossible for Murphy to remove his fingerprints from the project.

His plaintive vocals are so distinctive, that hearing them anywhere immediately gives the music a certain flavor and direction. What's more, Murphy's love of asynchronous beats is evident throughout, and his penchant for droning piano riffs makes an appearance more than once on the tracks. Granted, much of the instrumentation is more organic and acoustic, but the writing is unquestionably Murphy's.

While the Greenberg soundtrack isn't a new LCD record, it's certainly worth your while. Not only does it give fresh perspective on James Murphy's songwriting, but it also lends new perspective on all the individual elements that he manages to combine in his architecting of LCD's distinctive sound. Long story short: if you're in LCD withdrawal, we may have found you some methadone.

mp3: James Murphy - Please Don't Follow Me

As Though You Needed More Incentive To See LCD Soundsystem Live

Jesus Christ, they're just downright ON. So amazing.

LCD Soundsystem To Release In-Studio Live Band Performance

LCD Soundsystem at the Treasure Island Festival, from the HAD Archive

You may recall that we were drooling over LCD Soundsystem's live show when we caught them at Treasure Island Festival last month. Given that, we were super excited when news came over the wire this morning that the very same live band holed up in a London studio back in June, and recorded a live show in the room. Entitled The London Sessions, the record features tracks across LCD's career. On a more bummer note, it's also "rumored" to be the band's last record. We certainly hope not.

Regardless, we were hugely impressed by the life that the live band brought to the recorded material, and we couldn't be more excited to hear what made it on to the tape (or disc, whatever, calm down). If it's anything close to the show we saw in October, this one's gonna be a doozy!

mp3: LCD Soundsystem - All I Want

Treasure Island Festival Day 1 - Pictures, Review

Treasure Island is an ideal place for a music festival to take place, and the Treasure Island Festival's promoters make sure to make the most of it. We've been going to the fest since its inaugural year, and are always pleasantly surprised by what an awesomely streamlined operation it is. To get that many people onto an island, have a fantastically well organized music lineup, and then get them home again, well: it boggles the mind.

Saturday was an exceptional day for outdoor music, and as is tradition, it was the festival's more "dance" day, focusing heavily on DJ's and electronica. While that's unquestionably a little less "our bag", we still found a lot to enjoy, and found ourselves dancing away the afternoon and evening, awash in sun (and a little wind) throughout.

Four Tet

Four Tet is a DJ, and there's simply no other way to put it. Manning the decks in a hoody, Kieran Hebden put forth a set that was driven almost entirely from the decks, with the stage performance being limited to tweaks on mixers and laptops.

That being said, as the set continued, Hebden got noticeably invested in the set, and even started to crack a smile or two. The crowd was right with him, and loving every minute of it, as the bass lines thumped out a mid-afternoon dance anthem.

By the end of the set, everyone was on their feet, so much so that a few folks (including Green Man) made their way up above the crowd, inspiring enthusiasm from both Hebden and the crowd around them.

Kruder & Dorfmeister

Kruder & Dorfmeister are something of a nostalgia act for many, but that certainly didn't seem to inform their set on the main stage in any way, shape, or form. The duo delivered a set that was crackling with energy, and soundly supported by an amazing stage set and an energetic pair of vocalists.

The two did seem to be hiding behing the decks a little bit, but it really didn't phase us much - their set is one of the coolest we've seen in a long time, and did a really nice job at supporting their music in an energetic and exuberant way. Let's be honest: watching DJ's DJ isn't that exciting anyway, so why not give them a killer backdrop?

Whether or not their music has days-gone-by resonance for you, these guys know how to rock a crowd. Their presence at the fest was well conceived, and they did a fantastic job warming up the crowd as the sun began to fade into the evening sets.

LCD Soundsystem

We'll be frank with you: On Saturday, almost all of our attention was focused on LCD Soundsystem. We love the band, had heard positively glowing reports of their LA show the night before, and were completely ready for their set. And yet, we still weren't really prepared.

In short, James Murphy has somehow managed to take a project that is completely based around samples and beats, and turn it into one of the sickest rock bands you'll ever have the pleasure of seeing. On tour, LCD is a six person behemoth, and they realize the true potential of the record's tracks and beyond.

We don't want to make you too jealous, but let's put it this way: if you've only heard the records, you haven't truly heard this band. Their instrumentation is immaculate, their delivery is totally on point, and the songs break out of their mold in the most beautiful way. Our personal fave was a killer rendition of "All My Friends", but the set was so standout that it's peers were almost equal.

Never mind that Murphy has killer stage presence (in an all white suit, no less) - the band manages to take his strengths and build them even higher. The result is a set that explores new nooks and crannies at every turn, and leaves you wanting more, more, more. Needless to say, we danced the night away and then drifted out to the parking lot, in a quest to get some rest before day two arrived with the sun.

Many more pictures at the HAD Archive

Treasure Island 2010 Lineup Announced

We've been loving the Treasure Island Festival from day one. Always immaculately organized, always a great lineup, and always a beautiful (albeit sometimes cold) view of the city by the Bay. This year is no exception, as the festival organizers (Another Planet and Noise Pop) have just announced this year's lineup.

Similar to past years, Saturday is more of an electronic day, and is headed up by LCD Soundsystem, with some old school support from Kruder and Dorfmeister, and some serious action from !!!. Sunday is, once again, the "rock" day, and as predicted, Belle and Sebastian are heading the lineup. Combine that with the awesomeness of Broken Social Scene, The Sea and Cake, and The National, and well....this is gonna be good.

John Cale: "All My Friends"

Our John Cale obsession this week continues with this, a cover of LCD Soundsystem's killer track from Sounds Of Silver. Apparently it was a bonus track, included only on the vinyl version of the record. That would make it more than a year or two old, but brand new for us, so what can we say? We decided to share.

The cover is definitely distinct from the original, with slightly more aggressive beats, and a more forward moving feel. However, that's not really what does it for us: Cale's thick Welsh accent completely dominates the song. In contrast to James Murphy's original vocals, this version is aggressive, urgent, and domineering in a way that adds an entirely different emotional take.

Given how amazing the original is, we're hesitant to call this one better. That being said, there's no question that Cale has made the song his own, and in the very best way possible. We're pretty content enjoying both and not picking favorites. That, and secretly hoping that Murphy and Cale would make a record together. Tasty, no?

mp3: John Cale - All My Friends (LCD Soundsystem Cover)

LCD Soundsystem Drummer Pat Mahoney To Play DJ Set At Mighty

If you're anything like us here at HAD (or, let's be frank, the rest of the blogosphere), then you have a nice big soft spot for the boys in LCD Soundsystem. Their records are killer, loveable, danceable nuggets that just demand numerous repeat listens.

Well, the band isn't going to be in town any time soon that we know of, but drummer Pat Mahoney will be in attendance on January 29th at Mighty. Mahoney will be playing a DJ set, and if he's giving any creedence to his band's influence, then it will no doubt be highly danceable. Can you think of a better way to spend your Thursday night? We thought not.

mp3: LCD Soundsystem - Big Ideas (YouSendIt, click through)