Album Review: Saturday Looks Good to Me - Fill Up the Room

Originally published Jan. 30, 2008 in The Orion

Saturday Looks Good To Me
Fill Up the Room
K Records, 2007
4/5 stars

You never know what to expect on an album from a band with an ever-changing list of contributors. Saturday Looks Good To Me is a the electic project created nine years ago by songwriter/producer Fred Thomas.

"Fill Up The room" is a collection of well-crafted indie-pop songs with a surprising strenuous attitude. The album begins with guitars reminiscent of '50s and '60s pop, creating images of jukeboxes and teenagers sipping on milkshakes.

The album's unexpected change is largely due to Thomas taking over the vocals; past releases had female band members doing most of the singing.

The overall cheerful manner of the band is not lost. Swaying rhythms flow from song to song, violins add sweet sophistication and hand clapping creates a youthful, romantic sound.

The track "When I Lose My Eyes" builds up early, but the song hits a pleasant plateau that abruptly resumes, culminating to the climax during the last minutes of the song.

"Fill Up the Room" is a precious winter album that keeps you on your toes.

Downtown restaurant brings big-city feel

Originally published Jan. 30, 2008 in The Orion.
Direct link to article.

Small college towns are known for fraternity parties, hipster coffee shops and modest eateries, but a new dining option downtown is bringing the excitement of city life.

Located above Jamba Juice in the former Chevy's location on the corner of Broadway and Second streets, Crush 201 made its debut in late December, said owner Gino Fiori. Along with a handful of other business partners, the restaurant is co-owned by Celestino Gencarelli, of Celestino's Pizza.

The restaurant specializes in Italian food, but the owners do not want the restaurant to be classified as "just another Italian place," Fiori said. The food is based on traditional Italian recipes, but chefs experiment with ingredients to add a modern twist.

One of the most novel dishes on the menu is the grilled lamb "lollipops," he said. Priced at $15, the lamb is seasoned with rosemary, balsamic and tomato confit.

Even people who are not money-deprived students may find it hard to splurge on the full dining experience.

"It was a treat for me," said first-time customer Karen Mullner. Prices were reasonable, but she can only afford the outing about three times a year, she said.

Dining with Mullner was Cori Ong, who said she enjoyed one of the pork dishes and agreed the prices were high.

"It was a little pricey, but it was a lot of food," she said.

On the occasions when people cannot afford to have dinner at Crush 201, customers can mingle in the restaurant's lounge.

Besides a menu with appetizers, salads, brick oven pizzas, pastas and seafood, Crush 201 has a full bar and a long list of fine wines.

"Restaurants are about elements," Fiori said.

Most drinks are $7.75 and include such popular options as mojitos, cosmopolitans, Manhattans and martinis. In addition, Crush 201 has homemade tonics used in a variety of crush drinks. The "tonic crush" is mixed with Belvedere vodka or Tanqueray Ten gin.

Additional elements that make Crush 201 stand apart from other Chico restaurants are the location and aesthetics. Light coming out of the second-floor location immediately attracts the eye when walking downtown.

"We knew this building was a critical point for success," Fiori said.

The entrance is near the building's small parking lot and upon entering, bright lights and gold stairs lead to the second floor.

Once in the restaurant, the lighting becomes low and chattering voices of excited customers overwhelm the room. The bar is located on the left, the cozy L-shaped lounge is in the middle and tables are positioned on the outskirts, overlooking the street.

Another impressive aspect is the waterfall maintained between glass panes in the right corner of the room. The display is surrounded by rock-filled adornments that dispense light currents of smoky air.

Crush 201 is quite different from the humble Celestino's pizzeria, Fiori said. The upscale restaurant focuses more on the dining experience and serves about 1,000 meals per week. Everything works on a bigger scale with 50 employees.

"Economically this is a big machine," he said.

However, the commitment to the community is no different, Fiori said. Knowing Chico has an environmentally-conscious population, the owners make vegetarian food options available. In addition, much of the produce and meat is organically grown and purchased in Chico.

The business partners of Crush 201 are in tune with the people of Chico and have a lot of experience and pride in the outcome of the restaurant and bar, Fiori said. They also understand the importance of hospitality.

"No is not in the equation."

Siblings are busy bees on latest, Widow City

Originally published Jan. 17, 2008 in Chico News & Review.
Direct link to article


The Fiery Furnaces
Widow City
Thrill Jockey

Listening to The Fiery Furnaces’ "Widow City" is like glimpsing the inner workings of a beehive. Worker bees buzz around, crossing paths. Some days are calm while disaster strikes on others. The queen bee is Eleanor Friedberger, making all the calls along with her brother Matthew. The tempo of Eleanor’s voice alters between spoken word and short melodic stanzas. At times, the band’s interpretation of indie rock sounds mechanical yet remains charming. Each of the 16 songs on the band’s fifth full-length is a tumultuous story, linking to the next track. The instrumentation is stunning. Grinding and ghostly guitars intertwine with angelic harps, flutes and pianos. Moods change as fast as bees change their flight. Songs like “Navy Nurse”—at 6 1/2 minutes long—sound schizophrenic, and reflect society’s habit of multitasking. Listeners may be turned off by the band’s stop-and-go tempos, but this is a great album for those who like to wander off into the world of experimental art. “Widow City” leaves the lasting sting of a bee, but it is a sweet sting.

Relatively unknown Band of Horses follows up debut with the short-but-sweet Cease to Begin

Originally published Jan. 10, 2008 in Chico News & Review.
Direct link to article


Band of Horses
Cease to Begin
Sub Pop

The cover art of Band of Horses’ Cease to Begin says a lot about how the music on the album will sound. A cloudy night sky with a crescent moon over a rippled body of water reflects the band’s lovely and serene melodies. Comparisons to My Morning Jacket are more evident on this sophomore follow-up to 2006’s classic Everything All the Time. The band formed in Seattle, but band members have roots in the South, and BOH leans more heavily on its country influences here. However, the opening track and first single “Is There a Ghost” is too plain for it to be a single. It does not represent the rest of the album, which is a much more interesting mix of foot-tapping rhythms and soft, intricate patterns. If the band had more mainstream popularity, “No One’s Gonna Love You” could easily have been the wedding song of 2007. Guitar strings are plucked delicately as they accompany Ben Bridwell’s endearing voice proclaiming the song’s title. Clocking in at a little longer than half an hour, the album feels like it should go on for at least 10 more minutes and lacks closure as a result. Regardless, it’s a beautiful collection of songs, perfect for late-night drives by the lake.

Sweden's Shout Out Louds channel the spirit of The Cure

Originally published Jan. 03, 2008 in Chico News & Review.
Direct link to article

Shout Out Louds
Our Ill Wills
Merge

In 2005, Sweden’s Shout Out Louds released an album called Howl Howl Gaff Gaff that showed great potential with catchy lyrics and hip-shaking rhythms. The band’s latest release hits a level of sophistication that confirms the group’s ability to write meaningful pop songs. With uncanny vocals that resemble The Cure’s Robert Smith, the band’s ’80s influence is made evident as soon as the first track begins. The Shout Out Louds successfully manage to hold their own with simple melodies that evoke the deepest of emotions. “Tonight I Have to Leave It” is a bold statement about love—don’t bother with anything but real love. The album continues with a sense of vulnerability, but the dynamics are never lost. Songs that go over the five-minute mark work hard to leave a lasting impression and they succeed by stringing the heart along with airy synthesizers and cascading drums. “Impossible” and the title track have the feel and charm of an antique music box. The final track, “Hard Rain,” is in the same vein and closes the album with a feeling of satisfaction. Our Ill Wills is an album that deserves to be listened to from start to finish.

First major-label offering from Feist delivers

Originally published July 12, 2007 in Chico News & Review.
Direct link to article


Feist
The Reminder
Cherry Tree

Feist’s third solo album starts where 2004’s Let It Die left off. The Reminder is a cozy album with the warmth and security of a baby blanket, blending handclaps and a mix of low-fi indie-rock with elements of jazz. Leslie Feist, who has a history of working with successful indie bands Broken Social Scene and Apostle of Hustle, reaffirms that she can hold her own by showing different sides of her personality. Feist perfects the art of changing moods while keeping the album coherent. The album opens with “I’m Sorry,” a mellow, stripped-down track that sets a charming and sincere mood before jumping into the more upbeat and cheerful “I Feel It All.” And intertwining piano segments in songs like “The Water,” along with Feist’s tender voice—at times reminiscent of a singer at a swanky jazz club—make her sound vulnerable, yet powerful. While The Reminder may remind listeners of Feist’s previous album, it is nothing to complain about. This album will buy Feist some time to expand her audience while receiving play on VH1, gaining the attention she deserves.

The very American LCD Soundsystem continues its indie-dance prowess

Originally published June 21, 2007 in Chico News & Review.
Direct link to article

LCD Soundsystem
Sound of Silver
Capitol

Shame on you if you think LCD Soundsystem is from England. The outfit is headed by New Yorker James Murphy, who assures that he is from North America in “Northern American Scum,” the first single from Sound of Silver. However, the confusion is not unwarranted. LCD Soundsystem’s funky beats are heaven in any English club. Sound of Silver is not any ordinary dance-punk record. While dance music runs the risk of being accompanied by obnoxious, juvenile lyrics, Murphy overcomes this by including themes that range from relationships to politics. On “New York, I Love You but You’re Bringing Me Down,” Murphy comments on a well-known political figure without losing the infectious beat: “Your mild billionaire mayor’s now convinced he’s a king.” Every song is different. One minute you’re listening to what sounds like rhythmic pounding of pots and pans, and the next you’re listening to the ocean through a seashell. Murphy’s voice goes from soft and suave to excited and boastful. The great thing about this album is that it is fulfilling whether you’re taking it easy at home or out at a party.

Electric Canyon: Making musical masterpieces

Originally published April 05, 2007 in The Buzz.

Away from city noise, up in the canyons that surround Chico, is Electric Canyon Studios, which successfully makes its own musical masterpieces.

The ears behind the preponderance of Chico’s recorded gems belong to owner and founder Dale Price, who has worked with hundreds of Chico musicians over the past decade.

Price moved to Chico from San Carlos in the 1980s to attend Chico State University. In a program that is now impacted, he graduated with a degree in music with an option in recording arts. Price was one of the first to graduate from the program and has been using those skills ever since.

Price’s love for music started well before he attended school in Chico.

“My sister says some of my first words were ‘tape recorder,’” he said.

Music was always around while Price was growing up, he said. Both of his parents were musicians and one of his grandparents was a bandleader in the Big Band era.

He learned how to play drums at a young age and was in numerous bands throughout high school, Price said. When the four-track recorder was invented, he began recording his friends’ bands.

Once in college, Price started another band in Chico. As the band played more and more shows, the need of owning a PA sound system grew.

In 1988, Price started a live sound company, ProSound, which he still operates.

A year later, he graduated from college and had the option to move to any of the musical capitals of the world in attempt to further his recording career, he said. But instead of moving to fast-paced cities like Los Angeles, New York City or Nashville, Price decided to stay in Chico and provide a unique service to the small community. He prefers the more relaxed and close-knit lifestyle that Chico has to offer.

However, just because Electric Canyon is located in a smaller city, does not mean it cannot offer the quality of a big-city studio. Price has worked hard over the years to acquire top-notch equipment and to create a good working atmosphere for musicians.

For about eight years, Price recorded bands at his home on Glenn Street, but in 2001 he moved up to Butte Creek Canyon, where he hired a designer to construct the aesthetically pleasing studio.

Price wanted to build a studio where a full band could comfortably spread out all their equipment to record, he said. Not only did he want the rooms to sound good, but also look good. The studio has one huge room to accommodate a full band and four isolations booths. The rooms look out into the beautiful canyons, in case musicians are ever lacking inspiration.

The scenery and quiet environment sets Electric Canyon apart from any of the studios in large cities. The location is also beneficial for Chico musicians who cannot afford to go out of town to record their music.

Musicians can save money and spend more time on the creative process by recording a project over several months, Price said. Several small recording sessions can be booked when the studio is close by as opposed to traveling to spend just one weekend recording.

Both Chico musicians and nationally known musicians have taken advantage of the location and expertise at Electric Canyon. Price’s Web site lists over 100 projects, including recordings for the Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.’s television series, “Sierra Center Stage.” Artists who were part of that series include The Brubeck Brothers, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones and Marcia Ball, who was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2006.

The list of Chico musicians that Price has worked with is endless, but includes Electric Circus, Mystic Roots and Mother Hips.

Even with the growth of technology and ability for musicians to record themselves at home, Price is constantly guiding musicians. Even if a band records the music on its own, the group will turn to Price to master the project. He is more than happy to help any musicians at any point of the process.

“I want all the recordings to come out of Chico to sound good,” he said. “It doesn’t matter who records it.”

Price’s willingness to share his knowledge shows his commitment to the Chico community. The only thing he looks for in return is a simple “thank you.”

“Rock and roll doesn’t have a lot of thank yous,” Price said.

AFI expected to draw 1,800

Originally published March 01, 2007 in The Buzz

AFI's show in Chico on Tuesday will not be the band's first in town, but they hope the support from local music fans has not changed since its last visit, even though the band has changed quite a bit.

AFI, which stand for A Fire Inside, has played shows in Chico throughout the last decade at small, now defunct venues, like the Brickworks and the Zocalo Room, but lead singer Davey Havok does not know what to expect from the crowd at their JMax Production show at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds, he said in a phone interview. However, Chico shows have always been a good experience.

"I hope nothing has changed that much," he said.

The support from concert-goers is sure to be as strong as any show the band has played in Chico, but there are many more fans thanks to AFI's chart topping albums.

The band hails from Ukiah and has seen many changes since it formed in 1991, while all its members were still in high school, Havok said. Growing up in a small town, detached from large music scenes, forced the band to reach out to other cities.

"We were very hungry for music," he said.

The band looked to music scenes in San Francisco and Berkeley for its early punk and hardcore influences, Havok said. Now the band is able to reach out to cities nationwide and internationally.

The band's upcoming string of tour dates was originally planned to lead up to a show in Mexico City, Havok said. Although that date has changed, the West Coast dates including Chico, Davis and Eureka were kept.

In April, the band will tour Europe, where fans are just as passionate as in North America, Havok siad. He does not see a difference in the fans, only quantity. The quality of the fans is all that matters. Playing to 300 people is the same as to playing to 3,000 people. The Silver Dollar Fairgrounds concert, which is to take place in the Commerical Building, has a capacity of about 1,800, according to Jonny Starkey of JMax Productions.

An international tour is not the only thing that has changed.

Since 2003, the band has been able to travel in a bus rather than a van, which allows the guys to do more during the long drives in between cities, Havok said. The members of the band are able to sleep and have more personal space, which allows for a better performance each night. A bus is also equipped with a kitchen, which the band does not use often, but they appreiciate the option to cook on the road.

The band may not be found cooking on the bus, but there are four things the are likely to be doing, Havok said. Guitarist Jade Puget and bassist Hunter Burgan spend most of their time on the computer, while Havok and drummer Adam Carson use their T-Moble Sidekics. They all also watch cartoons and read.

The change in the band's career that allows a luxurious bus is its growing popularity and signing to a major label.

Prior to 2003, AFI released records on independent label Nitro Records. In 2000, it released "The Art of Drowning" on Nitro, reaching No. 174 on Billboard's Top 200. Three years later, "Sing the Sorrow," was released on major label DreamWorks, reaching No. 5 on the same chart. The latest release, "Decemberunderground," hit No. 1.

Despite its growing popularity, the band has not changed the way it views its fans, Havok said. The members continue to appreciate their fans and try to connect with them through blog updates and meet-and-greets before all their shows.

The band also tries to stay loyal to its pioneering fans by releasing music on vinyl, he said. While many people believe it is antiquated, the band knows a subgroup of its fans like to collect vinyl. It also connects the band to its hardcore and punk roots, genres often associated with vinyl.

Any fan, new and old, will be able to connect with the band on Tuesday. hHile the band is expected to mostly play songs from its last two albums the passionate and energetic performances remain the same.

Battle of the titans: Elvis vs Elvis at the 1078

Originally published Feb. 22, 2007 in The Buzz

Music lovers crowded 1078 Gallery in downtown Chico Friday in hopes of reuniting their lost love of the Elvises, as 17 Chico bands covered songs by Elvis Presley and Elvis Costello.

The Zombats kicked off the night with Presley's "Trouble." With lyrics like, "If you're looking for trouble, you came to the right place," it was the perfect way to start the gruesome battle. The Zombats' moody sound seemed to in fact, bring Presley back from the dead.

Following The Zombats' one-song argument in defense of Presley, a red record player was turned on to spin both Presley and Costello records.

The faint volume and hiss of the record player gave an eerie feeling of lost love. It was as if the room transcended everyone decades into the past.

Up next was Rev. Junkyard Moondog with his rebuttal in defense of Costello. Before playing "Pump It Up," Moondog proclaimed he was going to prove that while "real rock comes from the heart, real heart comes from the rock."

He took the rocks suspended form his neck, tied with strings, and literally rocked out, inspiring the first crowd sing-along of the night.

Chico State University student Martin Svec cited Moondog as his favorite performance of the night.

Although Svec attended the show in support of Costello, the Gorgeous Armada's Presley performance also ranked high in his book, he said.

The Gorgeous Armada took the stage and welcomed everyone to "the memorial," calling its performance an interpretive dance.

The band gathered around one microphone and hummed "Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear to Tread)."

Band member Handsome Gorgeous, dressed in boxers and a bathrobe, placed a chair, labeled "toilet," in front of the stage. He took a drink out of a bottle in hand and choked down some pills. As legend says, he proceeded to die on the toilet.

The audience cheered in disbelief.

every move of the dance was like watching a suspense movie. You knew what was going to happen next, but you did not believe it would actually happen.

The Gorgeous Armada proved that a lot can be said without even saying a word.

On the other hand, words can get a point across as well. The Shankers made it clear whose side they were on.

"I think Mr. Costello sucks," said lead singer Johnny Shanker.

The Shankers' fast-paced renditions of Presley's "That's All Right" and "Heartbreak Hotel" got the audience on its feet and asking for more.

Following with the same opening song, Gruk gave Presley's' "That's All Right" and "Jailhouse Rock" a faster-paced punk spin.

Lead singer Rachel Loveless began each song with melodic vocals, but quickly changed the pace with aggressive screaming, switching back and forth.

While Gruk made each Presley song its own, it was not hard to choose between Presley and Costello, said drummer Sean Cummins.

"Presley is slight more punk rock," he said.

To prepare for the performance, the band listened to original songs repeatedly and searched for guitar tabs on the Internet, Cummins said. While they wanted to play the songs as close to the original, the had fun practicing them at different speeds.

Gruk's aggressive performance made a solid case for Presley, but by the end of the night Costello won 9 to 8. However, that is based on the number of bands who chose a side.

No winner was officially announced.

The only clear winners where 1078 Gallery and the Suburban American Tract Home compilation, which raised $600 from the door.

The night proved that Chico has respect for rock's forefathers and talent of eclectic styles of music. Each band brought its own style to the table, but it would have been nice to see no repeated songs.

While Jessica O'Donnell attended the show to support Costello, she would have liked to seen a band perform Presley's "Blue Suede Shoes," she said.

O'Donnell and others will just have to wait for the next time Presley and Costello cross paths. Judging by the night's close race, a rematch might come sooner than later.