Recent Posts from Despite the Times

Despite the Times — With all the hoopla surrounding the various reunions over the last several months - Sunny Day Real Estate, The Murder City Devils, Jawbox (if for just one show) - Versus completely slipped past my radar. I had heard that they were playing the occ... read more »

Despite the Times — Pretty Girls Make GravesHappy New Year. One last list for the last decade. Enjoy.1. Pretty Girls Make Graves - Good Health - April 9, 2002"Speakers Push The Air" (mp3)2. The Wrens - The Meadowlands - September 9, 2003"Everyone Chose Sides" (m... read more »

Despite the Times — Fifteen years after the completion of college I often get nostalgic for the times my high school friends and I would get together during the winter holidays. Often my friend Dave, a student at the University of Georgia, would mention some new ban... read more »

Despite the Times — Spoon100. Cursive “The Radiator Hums” (2000)99. Gallows “In The Belly Of A Shark” (2006)98. The (International) Noise Conspiracy “The Reproduction of Death” (2000)97. Interpol “Obstacle 1” (2002)96. Antony and the Johnsons “Ho... read more »

Despite the Times — PolvoAlright, here's my annual attempt at ranking my favorite tracks of the year. I'm sure the list will be completely different in a month after I've had a chance to read all the different lists the interweb provides. Enjoy.Honorable Mention: ... read more »

Despite the Times — Flight of The ConchordsI'm keeping up my glacial pace of one post per month, so here's some songs to keep you sated. I'm going to see The Wrens and The Pixies over the next couple of weeks so hope to get some good posts up. thanks, mikeDenali - ... read more »

Despite the Times — I recently jotted down a list of the 15 bands that I regretted never getting the chance to see live and SDRE was unquestionably on that list. Their first album, Diary, remains one of my top 10 albums of the 1990's and holds up well. Last month S... read more »

Despite the Times — I am heading off to Connecticut tomorrow for my 15th college reunion. Music played a huge role in life during those four years. One of the great highlights of my time in college was working at the radio station both as a deejay and later as the ... read more »

Despite the Times — The PixiesSince I have been described as a list-obsessive, I thought I'd put one together on the occasion of my 37th birthday. So for each of my 37 years, I selected my favorite song and album. Some were my favorite then. Some are my favorite now.... read more »

Despite the Times — On the late evening of April 3rd (more like the early morning of April 4th) I made my way back to my hotel in Savannah, GA. I had been awake for more than 30 hours straight as I had left Baltimore on Friday morning after a night of work headed to ... read more »

Despite the Times — Juliana HatfieldTo celebrate the release of his new album The Life and Times (Anti Records) Bob took to the stage at the Birchmere in Alexandria, VA. Opening for this date only was Juliana Hatfield fresh off an 8 hour Boston to DC Amtrak ride. J... read more »

Despite the Times — In advance of next Tuesday's release of Life and Times, Bob stopped by the Daytrotter Studios to play acoustic versions of a few songs from said long player. I'll be seeing Bob perform on the evening of the album's release at the Birchmere in Ale... read more »

Despite the Times — Scotland Yard Gospel ChoirLike Barry bringing in his Monday Morning Mix into Championship Vinyl in High Fidelity, I offer you all the following. While it might not offer the same level of debate as to who has the better version of "Little Latin L... read more »

Despite the Times — Andrew Bird & TortoiseAfter taking a day or two to reflect on the Inauguration (as well as thaw out) I thought I'd drop a quick review of Monday's pre-Inaugural Big Shoulders Ball at the Black Cat in DC. Sponsored by Hideout Chicago, the "Bal... read more »

Despite the Times — Bon IverSome have described 2008 as an "off" year for new music. In many ways I agree with this sentiment. If you asked me twelve months ago which albums I was most excited for in 2008, I would have answered the remastered and expanded Replaceme... read more »

Despite the Times — We Are ScientistsA quick sampling of songs from some of my favorite blogs. EnjoyFrom 3HiveMother Mother "O My Heart" (mp3)We Landed On The Moon! "Re: Your Letter" (mp3)From Aquarium DrunkardCrooked Fingers "Let's Not Pretend (To Be New Men)" ... read more »

Despite the Times — The recently reunited Rival Schools hit Baltimore last night on their abbreviated East Coast tour. Spurred on by the surprisingly enthusiastic crowd (have I seen too many shows in DC?) and the Obama victory the night before, the band blew through... read more »

Despite the Times — The seemingly never ending tour of Ted Leo and his Pharmacists made yet another stop in DC this Wednesday night, this time opening for Against Me!. Despite the role as support act the crowd was out in force for this (sort of) homecoming. Members... read more »

Despite the Times — Everybody's favorite singer/songwriter/guitarist/whistler/violinist has a new single out from forthcoming album Noble Beast (out January on Fat Possum). Entitled "Oh No", it is vintage Andrew Bird replete with smart lyrics, wonderful melodies and ... read more »

Despite the Times — All of the sub-genres of independent music at sometime or another jump the shark and become yet another category of music disdained by the elite. New wave, grunge, hip-hop inspired rock were initially seen by the music industry as foreign. But a... read more »