--From The Stage
As openers for Hot Hot Heat at Webster Hall, The Blue Van mostly showcased from its latest full-length, "The Art Of Rolling." Based in Denmark, this quartet surely won over new fans with its 1960's R&B-driven rock sound. It was truly a shame that The Blue Van was forced into a pre-sundown set that had them play for less than half of the evening's capacity crowd--Several nights later at Webster Hall -- as part of a sold-out five-night residency -- Saddle Creek Records was represented by a triple-bill featuring Bright Eyes, The Faint, and recent Team Love signing Mars Black. Especially impressive to this attendee was The Faint, the new wave-influenced quintet from Omaha, as its combination of hook-laden dance-rock and movie screen visuals was at times hypnotizing. Supplementing several songs with a string section, the group couldn't do any wrong as it played most of 2004's "Wet From Birth." However, in concert, songs like "Paranoiattack" and "Dropkick The Punks" come across not only as heavier, but as more energetic than in recorded form. This band is a must-see--Speaking of sold-out shows, with a new CD in stores, "America's Funnyman"Neil Hamburger played two of them at Manhattan hotspot Pianos. In the process of bringing out a horde of new material, the comedian attracted the usual heckles and callbacks from audience members that leads to "anti-comedy" gold. Surprisingly, Hamburger's opening act, Pleaseeeausaur, proved to be as captivating at times; a visit to www.pleaseeasaur.com will show you what I mean, unless you already plan on picking up the "Action Spectacular" DVD. Pianos must be commended for booking a pairing as alternative yet captivating as this.

--From The Screen
A recent release from Shout Factory, "The Fearless Freaks" is a DVD documentary chronicling The Flaming Lips and their long journey towards success. In the process of getting to big stages and respectable sales figures, there's been a lot of turmoil (e.g. family troubles, lineup changes), and Bradley Beesley has been there capturing such for more than a decade as a video director and friend to the band. Bittersweet in the veign of Wilco film, "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart," Beesley's work will definitely show you a new side to this legendary band--Heavy on the DVD releases, as per usual, is Music Video Distributors. Rather than chronicling artists at the high point or low point of their careers, MVD's titles tend to be somewhere in the middle. Cases in point: "It Takes A Nation: London Invasion 1987" from Public Enemy and "Live San Fran 1981" from Iggy Pop. MVD may not beef up its titles with extras and special features, but it does put out videos for a lot of interesting artists at consumer-friendly prices. Fans of groups as diverse as Beulah, Murder City Devils, and the Michael Schenker Group may want to take a visit to http://www.musicvideodistributors.com to hear about some new additions to the company's catalogue.

If you have news to report for the next edition of Moving In Stereo, press releases and all other correspondence should be sent to [email protected].

Moving In Stereo...Volume 14

Moving In Stereo...Volume 6

[Issue Seventy-One // August-Sept 2005]