The Daily Vault – Page 17

24 Jul

The Broken Leg Tour: Foo Fighters Live

Melanie LoveFeature

Ever since catching the Foo Fighters at a festival in 2012, it’s been on my bucket list to see the legendary rockers headline their own show. Three years later, my rock ‘n’ roll dreams have been fulfilled with the Foo’s raucous, blistering, positively epic second night at Citi Field in Queens, New York. (Not to mention a standout appearance from up-and-coming heirs to the rock throne, Royal Blood, who readied the crowd with some of the raw, roiling cuts off their self-titled debut). It was no matter that Dave Grohl was playing with a broken leg, an injury sustained at…

13 Jul

You’ve Haunted Me All My Life: Death Cab For Cutie Live

dvadminFeature

Fear of disappointment—that’s always been the biggest obstacle to me seeing Death Cab For Cutie live, despite their status as one of my favorite bands of the modern era. The potential pitfalls seemed obvious; Death Cab frontman Ben Gibbard’s songs are finely wrought poems about death and loneliness, distance and sadness, isolation and alienation. How could music with that sort of emotional palette possibility translate in a setting that’s all about an exchange of energy between artist and audience based on a shared emotional connection? And then there are the arrangements… Death Cab’s songs are typically complex studio creations crafted…

02 Jul

Chris Squire: An Appreciation

dvadminEssay

Writers hate clichés, but sometimes only clichés will suffice. That may be one of the reasons I’ve struggled to put words together about the death of Chris Squire, co-founder, bassist and harmony vocalist of the pioneering progressive rock ensemble Yes, a band I’ve been a devoted fan of for more than 40 years. The thing about clichés, though, is that, like stereotypes, they all descend from some original germ of truth. “Larger than life,” “a force of nature,” “a tremendous innovator,” “hugely influential”—beyond a doubt, Christopher Russell Edward Squire was all of these things and more. Another reason I’ve struggled…

16 Mar

Jobraith A.D.: Stellar Rock Doc On ’70s Would-Be Star

Pete CriglerFeature

There have been hundreds of rock documentaries over the last couple of years, covering everything from Klaus Nomi to Pearl Jam. Some have been good, some have been very modest. This one, without a doubt, is one of the best. Jobriath was one of the most hyped (some say over-hyped) rock stars of the ’70s. He was openly gay before that was accepted in pop music. He was signed by a Svengali who wanted him to be the next Bowie. This film tells that story in the tremendous, fascinating detail. Drawing from exhaustive research and interviews with associates like former…

15 Dec

2014: Half Good

dvadminBest Of

For me, 2014 was the Year of the Late-Inning Rally. As in, during the first half it felt like nothing caught my interest at all (well, not nothing… there was Elbow). But the second half was a whole other story, as album after album appeared that convinced me to sit up and take notice. So, in the end, not half bad—or, since I’m an optimist by nature: half good. Best Miles Davis-King Crimson CrossoverLevin Brothers – Levin BrothersDrawing on a century’s worth of musical mastery between them, brothers Pete Levin (Miles Davis, Gil Evans, Freddie Hubbard) and Tony Levin (King…

15 Dec

2014: Pete’s Top Ten

Pete CriglerBest Of

Joining this site has been one of the most eye-opening experiences of my writing career. Being able to access all of this great music has just been mesmerizing, and this year has also been a year that some great records have come out. Enough of my yakkin’! Enjoy the list. 10. The Dead Milkmen – Pretty Music For Pretty People The album that contains some of the most biting tracks the Milkmen have ever recorded. In a day and age where musicians take themselves so damn seriously, it’s great to know the Milkmen are still out there, pissing people off! Highlights:…

15 Dec

The Music Of 2014 (In List Form)

Ken DiTomasoBest Of

This was probably the toughest best-of list I've made since I started keeping up with new music. Unlike my previous lists, few records immediately jumped out at me as obvious frontrunners for my top spots. But some years are just like that. Nonetheless, I still discovered a lot of great music this year. Here's to 2014! 10. The Flaming Lips – 7 Skies H3 After nearly three years, The Flaming Lips finally succumbed to pressure and edited their infamous 24-hour song “7 Skies H3” down for a standard record release. Unsurprisingly, having 24 hours of material to pull from means that…

15 Dec

2014: Melanie’s Top Ten

Melanie LoveBest Of

It’s 2014, and music has become more accessible than ever; but the constant availability means that the album experience can get lost in the shuffle. Not at the Daily Vault, where we’re bringing you the deep cuts, the discs you can immerse yourself in and get carried away. These were some of my favorite collections of songs, featuring a lot of debuts juxtaposed against some old favorites. There’s straight-up rock ‘n’ roll, there’s a pop crooner who I predict will stand the test of time, and some new indies to get you excited. So come on in and take a…

15 Dec

2014: Tom’s Top Five

Tom HaugenBest Of

Banner Pilot – Souvenir Though not as immediately memorable as their earlier work, these Minneapolis punks have greater lasting power on their most diverse album to date. If outfits like Jawbreaker, Against Me, Alkaline Trio, or Dillinger Four are in your interests, Souvenir should be, too. Various Artists – While No One Was Looking: Toasting 20 Years Of Bloodshot Records The list of artists on this compilation is nothing short of mouthwatering, and the concept of the artists covering songs from the early days of Bloodshot Records is clever. Four of the best songs from the first Ryan Adams album are…

15 Dec

2014 As I Know It And Call It

Michael R. SmithBest Of

5. Blondie - Ghosts Of Download Debbie Harry & company haven’t sounded this energized since bursting back onto the scene 15 years ago with No Exit. And even though I prefer their previous efforts, Panic Of Girls (2011) and The Curse Of Blondie (2003), there are still some gems to be found on this one. The best of the lot is the infectious Miss Guy-assisted “Rave,” which made both the fans and clubs proud, despite the record company blowing it and not choosing it as a single. Here’s an important tip: skip the misguided cover of Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s…