Music Report

Salutations from the Windy City where I have traveled for research so the Music Report may not ebb in its genius in the future.

Folks in the know may have heard of this group opening for J.U.S.T.I.C.E. at the WaMu Theater at MSG since they sold out two shows at the Bowery Ballroom. Chromeo is another among the 80’s throwback groups on the scene now but they do it really well down to their Dire Straits-parodying blocky 3D animated video for the song “Bonafide Lovin.’” At last, the world has a successful Arab-Jewish duo with a song about Tenderonis.
http://www.chromeo.net

Let’s bring it back to Athens, GA for a group called King of Prussia and their regal, vaguely British-sounding pop music. One commentator noted that the production on their album deserves its own instrument credit, and it gets one in the liner notes. This group may be the poor man’s Of Montreal or Apples of Stereo with their 60’s throwback sound, and that might be good because there are some things you don’t want to be rich in.
http://www.3hive.com/2006/09/king_of_prussia.php

Now for some dance music from a 2-member (aren’t they all these days) DJ team. They go by the name MEN but only one is a man. Post-South by Southwest on March 18th they’ll be doing a benefit at St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn for “Peace in Iraq and Justice at Home” along with David Byrne, Lou Reed and Norah Jones hosted by Richard Belzer.
http://www.myspace.com/mrandmrsmen
http://www.stannswarehouse.org/current_season.php?show_id=22

Lightspeed Champion is a band name taken from a comic bandleader Devonte Hynes used to draw in his math books. Formerly of the UK’s Test Icicles, 22-year old Dev Hynes has fallen in with the Omaha indie scene producing a nice album of emo crooning with song titles like “Everyone I Know Is Listening To Crunk” and “Let the Bitches Die.” He has been accused of sounding like an ambitious fan eager to stuff his entire record collection into a debut album but that’s kind of a cool challenge to undertake. LC will be playing at Union Pool, a former billiard supply store, Saturday in Brooklyn.
http://www.lightspeedchampion.com/

Also Saturday, neo soul singer Bilal will be playing at the HighLine Ballroom. Bilal Oliver has an impeccable resume as a backup singer appearing on tracks by Common, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Talib Kweli and the list goes on. Now that he’s doing his own thing, the sound reminds of a less rootsy, more City of Brotherly Love version of Anthony Hamilton. Some songs are borderline not safe for work because they so damn sexy, D’Angelo style.
http://www.myspace.com/bilaloliver

Here is some 3D graphic education in the form of a music video from the good people at J.U.S.T.I.C.E. This is possibly how more Concept Farm spots would have looked if Atmosphere 13 had their way.
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=29486720