06 | April | 2009 | MIND INVERSION

Archive for Monday, April 6, 2009

El Grupo Nuevo De Omar Rodriguez-Lopez hace su primer álbum disponible el próximo mes

Posted in Music News with tags at the drive-in, cedric bixler-zavala, el grupo nuevo de omar rodriguez-lopez, jonathan hishke, juan alderete de la peña, Omar Rodriguez Lopez, the mars volta, zach hill on Monday, April 6, 2009 by Ryan Buege

El Grupo Nuevo de Omar Rodriguez Lopez, Cryptomenia

If you guessed that I called on my little friend Babelfish for help with that headline, I’m not going to deny it. While I may be an 8th grade Spanish dropout, I know enough to know that, from the title of this band, the Mars Volta/At the Drive-In/solo axeman Omar Rodriguez-Lopez has apparently put together a new group. Joining Omar in El Grupo Nuevo De Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, Zach Hill, Jonathon Hishke, Juan Alderete De La Peña, and Cedric Bixler-Zavala round out his new team and perform the music that he has orchestrated. On May 5, they will be releasing their debut album Cryptomnesia.

Just last week they posted their second trailer for the album (referred to as Cryptomnesia II), and from the sounds of it, this album will be far different from the avant-garde sounds that I recall from his A Manual Dexterity concept release a few years ago. Bixler-Zavala always sounds brilliant over the wailing guitar of ORL, and its clear that it’s probably a much more structured release than either Volta or his older solo works. Word is that Mars Volta might be releasing a new album this summer too, so this is by no means a replacement of Volta, but it’s great to hear some of ORL’s great progressive punk licks in a more restrained form. He’s got a very classic vibe these days! Keep your eyes peeled for a limited edition vinyl release, and I’ll keep you up to date if I hear more about that new Mars Volta album. Enjoy the trailer!

Keep reading for the first trailer, Cyptomenisa I! Continue reading →

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Concert Review & Video: Wavves and Vampire Hands @ 7th Street Entry

Posted in Concert Reviews, Video with tags 7th street entry, concert, live, minneapolis, pictures, vampire hands, Video, wavves on Monday, April 6, 2009 by Erik Burg

My third concert in as many nights (Friday: Junior Boys, Saturday: Friendly Fires) came down to two bands that I either knew little about, in the case of Vampire Hands, or was slightly pessimistic about after hearing their album, see Wavves. I knew the concert had great potential though, critics have raved about Wavves on and off the record and countless number of acquaintances have told me how great Vampire Hands are live. So hope were yet again high.

After a ridiculous two and a half hour wait for local favorites Vampire Hands to come on, the triumphant and overly (if there is such wavves-cassette-cover a thing) drunk band played an awesome set of some of their best tracks. “I’m going to jail Mom! Just kidding, my parents are out there tonight” the keyboard/drum/vocal extraordinaire pronounced before the first song. The charismatic front man also had a bit of a malfunction half way through the set, with the legs to his drums falling off, boldly claiming after the song was over that “fuck it, I don’t need them.” A big thanks to everyone who suggested these guys, as their music an antics lived up to any and all hype.

And speaking of hype, has anyone been more highly touted this year than Nathan Williams, otherwise known as Wavves. I’ve been hard pressed to really get into either of his two albums, but his newest effort Wavvves had been growing on me. The San Diego native, and owner of this year’s award for best hair started the set with the awesome “Beach Demon.” One of his more upbeat tracks, the song sprung the crowd off the ground and into the air as Nathan and his buddy on drums rolled through some of the best California garage pop has to offer. He had to tease though, “So we’re gonna play a song that we have never played live” Williams says, only to turn around to find the drummer shaking his head in disapproval. So it never happened, but hey, everything they played I loved. Everything this night promised, delivered. If this guy is playing any festivals this summer or a date in your area be sure to check it out. Enjoy the video and photos as much as I enjoyed the show!

Video: Wavves – “Weed Demon”