let's all put on our morning jackets

So this is something I meant to post quite a while ago, but it's still pretty relevant. I've also been experiencing a lot of music love this past week, and my brain needs to get this stuff out in blog form. So, here goes.

My Morning Jacket played some new stuff at SXSW and the concert is all over the inter-web. They've got a new album, Evil Urges coming out in June, and I'm crazy excited. Unlike some of the other sailors on this crazy boat (I don't know why I use the ship analogies, I kind of hate them), I think My Morning Jacket has firmly planted themselves in the "one of the best bands of our era" category, but that's just my opinion. Based on what I heard on the NPR feed of the SXSW show I'm a little nervous for this new album. They've got some songs where other members of the band are singing lead, and some songs that quite frankly I just thought were awful. However, I'm holding on to hope for another great album in June.

In other news, as Chad has already brought up, Explosions in the Sky played in Salt Lake last night, and it was simply incredible. Read his review, it's pretty spot on.

Also, last Friday I was able to catch the Jose Gonzalez show at the University of Utah. I was very impressed, I mean, I love his music so I'm biased, but probably one of the best singer song writer shows I've been to. I was wondering why they booked him at the union ballroom, but then as soon as I heard the crazy huge reverb it allowed it all made sense. Jose played just a few songs by himself and then had a percussionist and a female vocalist come up and accompany him for the rest of the set. His sound was just as good as on the album, and although usually I think light shows are incredibly overrated, his actually added to the mood of the show quite well. I would definitely recommend catching one of his shows if you get the chance.

How many of you know?

How much I love My Morning Jacket? I mean really? Jim James, is there anyone cooler? I don't know, I just don't. He's got a voice that makes me want to fall in love with an animal, in a strictly platonic sense... I'm just rambling, that makes no sense.

The point that I'm trying to make is that Fleet Foxes is coming to Salt Lake, at the lovely Urban Lounge, in April. Am I happy about this? Yes. Am I willing to pay to go? Yes. Do I fall in love with Sub Pop bands on a regular basis? Yes. Do I want you to listen to Fleet Foxes, fall in love with them, and go to the show with me? I think that's pretty obvious.

I don't want to be too assuming here, but I think reverb is something that fleet foxes really enjoys. However, just like My Morning Jacket, Dan from Olé Bravo (did I really?), and to a lesser extent Band of Horses, the reverb sound absolutely works for Fleet Foxes. They're definitely not as electric, or should I say, um...they use a clean guitar the way it should be used, and they do it well.

As I'm sure this random babbling about the band may be slightly confusing to some, just check out their myspace (may I recommend the songs "Drops in the River" and "White Winter Hymnal"), buy the cd, do whatever it is you do and I'll see you at the show. Seriously, March and April are looking good for this city.