Don't Look Back, Press On

I don't know which sucks more: finding out that a band I love broke up months ago (I'm looking at you, Harlem Shakes), or finding out that a band I love is breaking up in the near future, are currently on their last tour ever and are coming nowhere near me. Neither is some cataclysmic event, but both are kind of crappy.


Isis - Backlit

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Isis (the latter case above) is calling it quits after over a decade of making great music. For those of you who don't know, Isis in my mind has sort of become the rightful heir to Tool's throne. They've come to play a breed of heavy, dense not-quite-metal that's expansive and a little psychedelic that has been branded by some as "post-metal." Metal loving elitists will tell you that the last good album these guys made was "Oceanic" but disregarding the impressive body of work that came after is doing oneself a disservice. Yeah, Aaron Turner's singing isn't very impressive, but the band's sense for space and textures take them above and beyond most other bands operating in the same mode.


Isis - In Fiction

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I guess my first exposure to Isis came from my friend Alex. We listened to "Panopticon" on the way back from a trip to Tulsa and I was immediately hooked. The unique rhythmic drive coupled with the crushing heaviness of the guitars and Turner's tortured bellowing grabbed me right away. I loved the way they created dense, distorted textures, yet still managed to sound open and harmonious and were able to turn on a dime between this sound and shimmering clean or ambient passages.


Isis - Wrists of Kings

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I was fortunate enough to be able to see them at The Conservatory when they were touring behind "In Absence of Truth" which is still my favorite of theirs to date. Jesu was supposed to open for them but they were unable to get their visas in time to join them on the first leg of the tour. After almost being literally deafened by Torche, Isis brought their perfect sense of dynamic contrast to this small club and the show had to be experienced to be believed. Easily one of the best shows The Conservatory has ever put on.


Isis - Over Root and Thorn

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I'm certainly going to miss these guys, but hopefully the members' other projects (mainly Red Sparrowes) will continue to release quality material as time rolls on. I mean, it's not like anybody died or anything.

"The joke's on you, Brandy... "

This post marks the third show I've been to in a row that I've blogged about. It also marks the third week in a row that I've been to a show at The Conservatory that has been nothing short of kick-ass. Tuesday night featured a rare triple threat of amazing, with The Uglysuit, O'fidelis and Ali Harter.


Ms. Harter took the stage first and, by her own admission, played a criminally short set due in part to her own "bullshitting." She played three brand new songs, including one "hateful little song" about an old friend's gasoline fume huffing induced aborted suicide by immolation in his own house... and his white trash girlfriend (the title of this post is taken from this song). Since that song hasn't been released yet, here's a different one off of "No Bees, No Honey" for those of you who aren't familiar with her whiskey-soaked alt-country greatness.


Ali Harter - Close Up the House

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Up next was O'fidelis, who were also outstanding. They've got that wonderful indie/folk/rock/punk sound that I adore so much and they surprised me (I can't speak for anyone else) with a pulk-style (that punk mixed with folk as far as I'm concerned) cover of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance." Once again, I don't have that, but I do have the tracks from their demo and I've been able to find song titles for 4 out of 5 tracks! This one's listed on their MySpace page as "Concion de Feliz Numero Dos" but I'm pretty sure they just called it "Happy Song Number 2" at the show. I wanted to post the mysterious "Track 3," but chose not to since I can't track down a title. You'll like this though. I guarantee it.


O Fidelis - Concion de Feliz Numero Dos

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And in the headlining slot, I was treated once again to the glorious sounds of The Uglysuit. Every time those guys play it's a joyous treat (kind of like the pumpkin cheesecake muffins that Israel's fiancee made for their bake sale at the show, but that's a whole other story). If you've yet to hear them, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of their self-titled debut album. If you can imagine what it would sound like if Explosions in the Sky tried to write pop songs, then you're on the right track. This one is tied for 1st as far as my favorite tracks on the record.


The Uglysuit - Everyone Now Has a Smile

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That's it for now. Tune in next week when I inevitably will tell you about my experience at the Mr. Gnome show this coming Monday at, you guessed it, The Conservatory. And I'll probably post again before that too. You know me by now.