Moving In Stereo: Volume 26

as heard by Darren Paltrowitz

Since Moving In Stereo: Volume 25 hit browsers, shelves, and tables around the world, a lot of worthwhile and attention-worthy releases have reached the office CD player, including:

· The Futureheads “News & Tributes” – http://www.thefutureheads.com

· Asobi Seksu “Citrus” – http://www.asobiseksu.com

· New Starting Over “New Starting Over” – http://www.newstartingover.com

· The Stills “New Feathers” – http://www.thestills.net

· Meg & Dia “Something Real” – http://www.meganddia.com

…From The Stage

Recently gracing the cover of Alternative Press, Poughkeepsie, NY-based quartet Matchbook Romance made their way to Japan as part of an Epitaph Records tour. Double-billing with Motion City Soundtrack, Matchbook played to a capacity crowd – containing a surprisingly large number of Americans – at Tokyo club Daikanyama Unit. Drawing largely from their 2006 release Voices, the band’s set stayed heavy yet melodic throughout, with the disc’s first single “Monsters” receiving a great reception. However, the highlight of the set proved to be “The Greatest Fall Of All Time,” which drew a tremendous reaction upon its opening notes. While there was a mixed reaction to the mid-set arena-rock-style, virtuoso drum solo of drummer Aaron Stern, Matchbook Romance definitely showed itself to be at the forefront of the emo-rock field with this performance…Criminally underrated as far as hard rock bands go, Deep Purple is still alive and kicking with three-fifths of its “classic” lineup. With Steve Morse of The Dixie Dregs filling in for Ritchie Blackmore and former Ozzy Osbourne sideman Don Airey taking the place of Jon Lord, we are still talking about a powerful and accomplished five-piece unit. Presently touring in support of the prog-heavy Rapture Of The Deep, Ian Gillan and crew performed a set at Tokyo’s International Forum Hall that focused greatly on the post-Blackmore era of the band’s catalogue. In fact, some of the music played hasn’t even been recorded yet. The audience, however, did not seem to mind as the quintet saved the expected hits for the end. Deep Purple remains a musician’s band, keeping itself as entertained as its fans…Nearing 20 years since they first debuted as an all-female trio, Supersnazz – whose name was inspired by a Flamin’ Groovies song – has undergone plenty of changes over the years. In fact, the mid-1990’s looked as if the band was going to cross over worldwide, as they released music through Sub Pop in the States and Sony Japan in their native land. Now a two-guitar quartet with two males, the group may not be a full-time venture, but it is still gigging and cranking out worthwhile albums. At this particular show at Shimokitazawa Shelter, Supersnazz appeared first of four, kicking out one two-minute garage-rock gem after another. Short on banter, music was top priority, as covers of The Replacements and The Rolling Stones were also thrown in. Fans of The Ramones and The Figgs alike should start petitioning for Supersnazz to return to America.

…From The Screen

Although generally pigeonholed as a “ska band” – likely due to having a horn section and touring with ska bands – Suburban Legends have finally assembled their first-ever DVD, titled Season One. Mixing the video from a show in Oakland with two music videos and behind-the-scenes footage, the Orange County band’s abundance of personality shows both on and off the stage. Disc two features the audio from that same show in Oakland, which includes tracks from the recently-released Dance Like Nobody’s Watching EP…Back on the touring front as festival-headliners, Whitesnake are still circulating around the world in support of their new home video, Live In The Still Of The Night. Although this version of Whitesnake is essentially David Coverdale and five competent 1980’s-minded rockers (i.e. former players with Dio, Winger, and Ted Nugent), it is a band playing the hits, the favorites, and some deep-cuts in top-form; Coverdale even pays homage to his time in Deep Purple. There are more than a dozen cameras covering this reported 105-minute performance, there are four options for the audio mix, and there is 20 minutes of bonus footage beyond the accompanying 10-song CD. The die-hard fans should own this…Interestingly titled, It’s Not Fun, Don’t Do It, Tegan & Sara are the latest indie-minded artists to release a tour documentary. Beyond a full 13-song live concert from Toronto’s Phoenix venue, this set features all five of the group’s music videos, a photo album (in video format, of course), audio commentary, studio footage from the So Jealous sessions, and a separate tour documentary made by the sisters themselves. Those not already familiar with Tegan or Sara may recall having heard their music as covered by both The White Stripes and Matt Sharp. And those who do not like to get up off the couch will be relieved to know that this is a one-disc set.

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.