Moving In Stereo: Volume 25

as heard by Darren Paltrowitz

Since Moving In Stereo: Volume 24 hit browsers, shelves, and tables around the world, a lot of worthwhile and attention-worthy releases have reached the office CD player, including:

· All-Time Highs “EP” – http://www.myspace.com/alltimehighs

· Supe “Grow In The Cold” – http://www.supe.net

· Belle & Sebastian “The Life Pursuit” – http://www.belleandsebastian.com

· South “A Place In Displacement” – http://www.south.uk.net

· Moth “Immune To Gravity” – http://www.heydomingo.com

…From The Stage

Having spent most of the past two months away from New York hasn’t kept me from live music. In fact, there’s plenty to see elsewhere. While walking down North Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago, I discovered that New York’s own Asobi Seksu was playing at The Double Door. Closing out the evening, the quartet performed a mix of songs from their self-titled debut album and the forthcoming full-length Citrus. Surprisingly, “Walk On The Moon” still got the “hit song” treatment in Chicago. It would surprise me if this band didn’t break big in 2006, as their shoegazer/dream-pop sound, combined with their relentless touring, has got to be catching some buzz…A few nights after Asobi Seksu came Limbeck and The Reputation co-headlining at Milwaukee club Mad Planet. A homecoming of sorts for Limbeck, as drummer Jon Phillip – formerly of The Benjamins and The Obsoletes -- still lives in Milwaukee and The Reputation hails from nearby Chicago, the show carried some hometown vibes. Featuring singer-songwriter Rachael Cantu during their set, Limbeck plays the sort of upbeat alt-country that can win over any audience. Songs like “Tan & Blue” (from 2003’s Hi, Everything’s Great) and “Sin City” (from 2005’s Let Me Come Home) are the sort that can have a new listener singing along by the second chorus, so it’s no wonder that the group can play alongside Soul Asylum as easily as Lucero. The aforementioned Reputation, as fronted by Elizabeth Elmore from Sarge, also won over the crowd, despite some equipment problems. Playing a noisy brand of power-pop that would also appeal to fans of That Dog or Rilo Kiley, the group is rumored to be in the shopping stages of its forthcoming second album…Halfway around the world, Toto played nearly two hours to nearly 5,000 people at Tokyo’s Forum Hall. Led by charismatic guitar virtuoso Steve Lukather, the group’s lineup also included original vocalist Bobby Kimball, session legend Greg Phillinganes, and former Who drummer Simon Phillips. Hardcore-fans and newbies alike were treated to what they hoped for as both hits and deep-cuts were featured. Those who wanted to hear material from the recently-released Falling In Between should have also been satisfied, as two tracks from that heavy yet melodic disc were featured in the 25-song setlist. What Toto lacked in original members, the band made up for in charisma and stage-production – this was “classic rock” done right.

…From The Screen

A full-length documentary and more on Flogging Molly, Whiskey On A Sunday helps tell the story of how former Fastway guitarist Dave King wound up forming the Ireland-inspired punk group. While not the happiest of tales – King’s childhood and early-U.S. residence both had their fair shares of hardship – it is one with an inspiring ending. The second disc in this collection, as with all the recent SideOneDummy-released DVD sets (namely those with MxPx and Piebald), is a CD with acoustic recordings, live tracks, and a new studio-made track named “Laura”. Whiskey On A Sunday ought to turn fans of Flogging Molly into die-hards…While The Cosby Show was an unprecedented sit-com with record-setting success, not many followers of Bill Cosby seem to remember his first foray into the sit-com format, The Bill Cosby Show. Fortunately, Shout! Factory aims to correct that as they have released 26 episodes from Season One into a four-disc set, along with an exclusive interview from Cosby. The premise of the show revolves around Cosby as a gym teacher and basketball coach in an urban Los Angeles high school. Hardly a sign of the times, the series did not include a laugh track and included original music from Quincy Jones. It’s a shame that not enough episodes were made for The Bill Cosby Show to run on Nick-At-Nite…Having received rave reviews at the Toronto Film Festival and South By Southwest (SXSW) alike, Metal: A Headbanger's Journey is a documentary from 30-year old Sam Dunn. Simultaneously defending metalheads against long-standing stereotypes and showing the eccentricities that come with the genre-turned-lifestyle, it is an obvious work of love for Dunn, who filmed through North America and Europe. Beyond the feature, there are close to 90 minutes of special features to be found on this two-disc set from Warner Home Video, from interviews (including Bruce Dickinson, Slayer, Vince Neil) and director’s commentary, to travel out-takes and a mini-documentary on Norwegian Black Metal. It’s only a matter of time before parts of this title become as quotable as Heavy Metal Parking Lot… Bastards Of Young is along the lines of Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey, instead focusing on the rise of modern punk, emo, and hardcore bands – and even a hip-hop artist – from the independent circuit to bigger stages and all that comes with it. Chronicling more than three and a half hours of footage onto – yes, you guessed it – two discs, the first disc is comprised of 13 chapters, each an interview and on-site footage with a band that you ought to be a feature with. Amongst those interviewed by creator/producer Michelle Caputo and director Shannon Hartman are Jimmy Eat World, From Autumn To Ashes, and Thursday. Disc two goes straight to the music, bringing the rock from some of the same artists from the first disc, plus Matchbook Romance and The Early November; nine bands bringing you 20 songs. All in all, an educational yet entertaining release.

If you have news to report for the next edition of Moving In Stereo, press releases and all other correspondence should be sent to darren.paltrowitz@gmail.com.