therobots.org - select * from robots

There are an immense number of good shows coming through Portland. I knew this before coming here, of course. Why else would I choose a new city? But I no longer have the freedom to go to every show that interests me, like I did in Beijing. Time and money would soon run short.

So far all I've seen is Mono / Bellini / LKM (Mono were great, Bellini were freaking awesome) and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah / Talkdemonic (stupidly, I took the bus, and had to leave before The National came on. Disappointing - Alligator is a great album).

Here's a short selection of what's I'm thinking about seeing (copied from my upcoming.org list):

October 15

Climber + Swords + Dios Malos @ Dante's

October 19

Tortoise with Daniel Lanois @ Aladdin Theater

October 21

Calexico, Iron & Wine @ Roseland Theater

October 22

Calla, Celebration @ Doug Fir

October 23

Bauhaus @ Roseland Theatre @ Roseland Theater

October 24

The Go! Team @ Wonder Ballroom

October 27

American Analog Set @ Doug Fir

October 28

deerhoof @ Berbati's Pan

October 29

Broadcast @ Doug Fir

November 4

Rachel's + Tristeza @ Doug Fir

I'm most excited about the Iron & Wine / Calexico, Deerhoof, and Rachel's / Tristeza shows.

This past Sunday I was considering going to see the Dirty Three. Time was running short on some classwork, and I've seen them before (at the late, lamented Side Door in STL), so I skipped out. Instead I grabbed their new album, Cinder, off of eMusic. What a damn fool I was. As much as I love their earlier work, Cinder is above even that. The lazy drums, gentle guitar, and that violin; this might be their best album, period, which is very difficult to judge. Chan Marhsall (Cat Power) even sings on one song. This year's been very good for released music so far, and for me, this one is at the top.