Upcoming Shows Through New Year's Eve

Happy Kwanzaa to everbody. I've been spending time with friends and family and trying to avoid the internet. I'm looking forward to making some changes to You Set the Scene in 2008. Right now I'm thinking that I'll start to de-empasize the show listings and only highlight a couple a day. To replace that, I hope to start doing some interviews and get out in front of new records with more album preview/reviews. Thanks for reading.

Wednesday 12/26/07
Nekromantix @ House of Blues ($16.50)

Thursday 12/27/07
Hiss Golden Messenger @ Silverlake Lounge ($7)
Adema @ Safari Sam’s ($14)
The Smell’s 10 Year Anniversary: Kyle H. Mabson @ the Smell

Friday 12/28/07
[Recommended] The Entrance Band @ Spaceland ($10) – Stoner rock ‘n’ roll.
United By Sound @ El Cid ($8)
Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys ($15)
The Smell’s 10 Year Anniversary: Hello Menno / Polar Goldie Cats @ the Smell
Lemmy Kilmister / The Binges @ The Roxy ($15)
The Electric Prunes / Strawberry Alarm Clock @ Knitting Factory ($30)
Social Distortion @ House of Blues (Sold Out)

Saturday 12/29/07
Dirty Sweet / Year Long Disaster @ Spaceland ($8) – Dirty, rock ‘n’ roll.
The Smell’s 10 Year Anniversary: Jamie Stewart (solo) / Jesus Makes the Shotgun Sound @ the Smell
Supersuckers @ Viper Room ($15) – Doing a rock show
Social Distortion @ House of Blues (Sold Out)

Sunday 12/30/07
[Recommended] Melvins / 400 Blows / Tweak Bird @ Echoplex ($18)
Reno in LA: Neil Hamburger @ Spaceland ($8) – Funny? Man.
Fiona Landers @ Tangier ($8)
The Smell’s 10 Year Anniversary: Hello Astronaut, Goodbye Television / Devon Williams @ the Smell
Nikka Costa @ the Roxy
Supersuckers @ Viper Room ($15) – Doing a country show
Social Distortion @ House of Blues ($27.50)

Monday 12/31/07
[Recommended] Sweet & Tender Hooligans @ Spaceland ($18) – Very popular Smiths/Morrissey cover band featuring Joe Escalante (Vandals/Indie 103).
[Recommended] The Pity Party / Fat Lip / Restaurant @ Little Radio ($20)
Nas @ House of Blues ($100)
Eagles of Death Metal / Hello Stranger / The Ringers @ the Roxy
Gram Rabbit @ the Echo ($20)
Sister Nancy @ Echoplex ($20)
Veruca Salt / Donita Sparks / Run Run Run / Repeater @ Safari Sam’s ($15)
Anavan / Softboiled Eggies @ the Smell
Supersuckers @ Viper Room ($40)
Hard: Justice (DJ Set) / Peaches / 2 Live Crew / Softlightes @ Downtown – 613 Imprerial Street ($75) – This one is limited to 5,000 people.
Giant Maximus: Mstrkrft / Z Trip / Lazaro Casanova / LA Riots / Tiesto @ Downtown – 835 Francisco Street ($88) – Party with 10,500 of your best pals.

You Set the Scene's Favorite Albums of 2007

Thanks to all the publicists, labels and bands who read this blog, I listened to more new music this year than any year of my life. I heard (admittedly - not always in their entirety) between 250 and 300 new releases this year. It's a lot of time dedicated to new music, especially when you consider how much time I spend listening to music from the 1960s, 70s and 90s. As usual, I missed (usually by design) a lot of hip-hop, dance, noise, punk and electronic music that came out. Of what I heard, here's what rose to the top:

Top 10:

1) Okkervil River: The Stage Names (Jagjaguwar) – Will Sheff’s a songwriter with something to say. I played this record more than anything else this year. They already do really well, but I’m betting that they’ll be the next indie band to crossover like the Shins and Arcade Fire. And they deserve it.
Download “Our Life Is Not a Movie Or Maybe”
Download Golden Opportunities (for the converted - a free covers album featuring their take on John Phillips, John Cale, Serge Gainsbourg, Jimmy Webb, etc.)

2) Blonde Redhead: 23 (4AD) – Pay attention young bands. Blonde Redhead is a great example of a band that grows and explores new ground with each release. Album seven is lush with electronic backing tracks and Kazu’s voice upfront. Maybe their finest yet.

3) The Besnard Lakes: The Besnard Lakes Are the Dark Horse (Jagjaguwar) – This husband and wife band from Montreal got more spins on my turntable than the Arcade Fire. Bombastic, dramatic and over-the-top in the best possible way.
Download “And You Lied To Me”

4) David Vandervelde: The Moonstation House Band (Secretly Canadian) – Unibrow or not, this guy writes some fantastic rock ‘n’ roll songs. A bit of early T. Rex mixed with a pop sensibility but played hard and fast (especially live). He wrote a lot of this music when he was 19.
Download “Nothin’ No” and “Jacket”

5) Neil Young: Live at Massey Hall 1971 (Reprise) – I contributed way too much money to Neil Young this year (see my Nokia review), but at least he gave us this. This is what a live album should be - great stories and re-imagined versions of classics. The first part of the long awaited Archives releases comes out in February, so I’m sure I’ll be forced to re-buy this. Thanks Neil.

6) Dr. Dog (Park the Van) – Indie snobs dismiss Dr. Dog as “easy guitar melodies and predictable rhythms thrust at us with no discernible amount of self-awarenes.” You should be careful about listening to indie snobs, or you’ll end up buying records like THIS. I prefer to think of Dr. Dog as 1960’s-inpired music that puts a smile on my face.
Download “Worst Trip” and “Ain’t It Strange”

7) Spoon: Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga (Merge) – My expectations for Spoon are so high, that I dismissed this when it came out. In retrospect it’s a damn fine record.
Download “The Underdog”

8) Peter Bjorn & John: Writer’s Block (Almost Gold) – A lot of people had this on their best of 2006 list, but it came out domestically in 2007. While “Young Folks” has gotten so much play it’s become unbearable, it’s still a great album.

9) Radiohead: In Rainbows (Self Released) – The amazing part is that Radiohead actually made a record I wanted to hear (unlike the last few).

10) Arcade Fire: Neon Bible (Merge) – Despite the backlash, they’re still a great band.


The Next Ten (Alphabetical):
Andrew Bird: Armchair Apocrypha [mp3] (Fat Possum) – I had to see him live to get it.
The Broken West: I Can’t Go On, I’ll Go On [mp3] (Merge) – They were at the top of my local list.
The Earlies: Enemy Chorus [mp3] (Secretly Canadian) – Overtly political. I wish these guys would tour the States.
Iron & Wine: The Shepherd’s Dog [mp3 and mp3] (Sub Pop) – I prefer stripped down, but I’ll take this too. Seeing the live show helped.
Menomena: Friend and Foe [mp3] (Barsuk) – Experimental but listenable. The best packaging of the year.
The Shins: Wincing the Night Away [mp3] (Sub Pop) – Not their best, but still better than most.
Elliott Smith: New Moon [mp3] (Kill Rock Stars) – Another post-humous release.
Richard Swift: Dressed Up for the Letdown [mp3] (Secretly Canadian) – Tin Pan Alley meets McCartney.
Wilco: Sky Blue Sky (Nonesuch) – The VW ads got old fast, but the record’s still a good listen.
Yeasayer: All Hour Symbols [mp3 and mp3] (We Are Free) – I don’t love all the lyrics, but there are some great songs and a lot of really good ideas.

Ryan (Division Day) Wilson's Best of 2007

This is probably the last guest list of the year. Today's guest is Ryan Wilson, the guitarist in Division Day. Ryan reminded me that I still need to hear that Tandemoro record.

Ryan Wilson's top 10 albums that made 2007 a cool year to be alive and hearing music.

1. Tandemoro: The Movers & The Shakers (Self Released) - Hard to believe most of LA slept on this release, because it's easily some of the best pop songwriting this side of the mississippi - no wait, make that the atlantic ocean.

2. The (Le) Switch:Hello Today (Self Released) - A tantalizing taste of what we've all got to look forward to when their full length record comes out. ohyeah.

3. Chromeo: Fancy Footwork (Vice) - These guys rule.

4. Roky Erickson: You're Gonna Miss Me Soundtrack (Palm) - "For You (I'd Do Anything)" is one of the most moving songs I've ever heard by one of the most talented dudes alive. Track down the 1990 compilation "Where The Pyramid Meets The Eye" for some covers of Roky's tunes by the likes of The Mighty Lemon Drops, JAMC, Primal Scream, Bongwater, and the Butthole Surfers.

5. Earlimart: Mentor Tormentor (Major Domo/Shout Factory) This is my favorite Earlimart record yet. "Don't Think About Me" is perfect pop melancholia.

6. Tigers Can Bite You: Tigers Can Bite You (Self Released) - Finally I don't have to park myself on their myspace page to listen to "Rough Stuff". Tigers Can Bite You: now on a conveniently portable shiny circle.

7. The Mae Shi: HLLLYH (Team Shi) - I don't know if this counts, since it's technically not out here yet (?), but whatever. These guys rule.

8. Black Moth Super Rainbow: Dandelion Gum (Graveface) - Yum.

Download "Sun Lips"

9. Various Artists: Soul Sides, Vol. 2 - The Covers (Zealous) - An amazing compilation by Oliver Wang. Highlights are Esther Phillips' take on Gil Scott-Heron's "Home Is Where The Hatred Is" and Antibalas' re-do of Willie Colon's "Che Che Cole."

10. Kid Sister: Control EP (Fool's Gold) - Undeniable. "Control" was probably my jam of the year. Watch out, 2008.

Wildcard: Dennis Wilson's Pacific Ocean Blue - A beautiful album and one of my all-time faves. This one got a lot of spins in 2007.

Guilty Pleasure Track: T-Pain - "Bartender"

Paul (The Minor Canon) Larson's Guest List

The guest lists continue here at You Set the Scene. Today we've got Paul Larson, lead singer of the Minor Canon. He also played guitar on the latest Dntel record.

Worst of 2007:

Bruce Springsteen - Magic

Feist- The Reminder

the Earlies - Enemy Chorus

Radiohead- In Rainbows

Josh Ritter- The Historical Conquests of

Best Of 2007:

Dr. Dog - We All Belong

Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

Albert Hammond Jr. - Yours To Keep

The Broken West - I Can't Go On, I'll Go On

Josh Ritter- The Historical Conquests of

Honorable Mentions:

Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

Wilco - Sky Blue Sky

Handsome Furs - Plague Park

Live Music Options For the Upcoming Week

The Happy Hollows Play the Viper Room Monday Night

Monday 12/17/07:
[Recommended] Great Northern / The Happy Hollows / The Spores @ Viper Room ($10 / Free with RSVP) – Yet another good lineup.
Exitmusic / In Waves @ Bordello ($10)
The Binges / The Ringers / The Harlots / Dan Le Sac vs. Scroobious Pip @ Spaceland (Free)
[Recommended] Henry Clay People @ the Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa
Butch Walker @ Hotel Café (Sold Out)
Blind Boys of Alabama @ Disney Concert Hall ($67) – Great tickets remain.

Tuesday 12/18/07:
[Recommended] Let’s Independent: Castledoor / Flying Tourbillon Orchestra / Frankel @ Boardner’s (Free) – I’m loving Frankel right now. Bronson’s loving Castledoor.
Ranch Party: Merle Jagger / Cousin Lovers @ Spaceland ($8) – It was nice to walk into Spaceland last month and see a crowd of people in cowboy hats.
The Kris Special / Get Set Go / The Stevenson Ranch Davidians @ the Echo – Get Set Go is Mike TV’s band.
The Monolators @ the Scene (Free)
Social Distortion @ House of Blues Sunset (Sold Out)
Franklin For Short @ Bordello ($8)
Oliver Future @ Viper Room ($10)
Marvelous Toy / One Trick Pony @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Nu-Tra / Fuxedoes / Jean-Paul Yamamoto @ Safari Sam’s ($6)

Wednesday 12/19/07:
Club NME: The Republic Tigers @ Spaceland
David Garza @ Largo
The Binges @ Troubadour ($8) – If you didn’t want to see them for free at Spaceland, you can pay $8 at the Troubadour.
Faraway Places @ the Echo ($5)

Thursday 12/20/07:

Radio Alert: The Ting Tings on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic - 11:15 AM
[Recommended] Ice Skating Alert: The Henry Clay People / Bollweevil @ Pershing Square (Free)
[Recommended] Michael Hurley / The Entrance Band / Ans @ Bordello ($10)
[Recommended] Lilys / Winter Flowers / Mezzanine Owls @ Spaceland – Kurt Heasley’s a chameleon. Some people love his early shoegaze records while I prefer his 1965-1967 British phase. Lately he seems like a visitor from outer space. Hopefully it’s at least partially an act.
Ozomatli / Cut Chemist @ House of Blues
Rumspringa / Army Navy @ the Echo ($5)
The Watkins Family Hour @ Largo
Raspberry Cocaine @ Viper Room

Friday 12/21/07:
[Recommended] Rademacher @ the Echo ($5)
[Recommended] Busdriver / Daedelus @ Troubadour ($12)
[Recommended] Jon Brion @ Largo (Reservations Booked)
[Recommended] The Lilys / Ariel Pink / Holy Shit @ Spaceland ($8) – If you’re in the market for some opium or peyote, this is probably a pretty good place to look.
RRIICCEE @ Rec Center Studios ($17) – Vincent Gallo and Erik Erlandsen.
Nightfur @ El Cid ($8)
Brian Setzer Orchestra @ Gibson Amphithatre
Ozomatli @ House of Blues

Saturday 12/22/07:
Gary Hoey Band @ Safari Sam’s Very Be Careful @ Bordello ($10)
[Recommended] Jon Brion @ Largo (Reservations booked)
Brian Setzer Orchestra @ Gibson Amphithatre

Sunday 12/23/07:
[Recommended] Wu-Tang Clan @ House of Blues ($75) – Pricey, but good.