The Animal Show » Chris Thile

Welcome Home: Punch Brothers’ Antifogmatic in Review

Edward — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:25:05 +0000

It would be embarrassing to admit how long I've waited to put this image on The Show.

Each of the few reviews I’ve read of Punch Brothers‘ sophomore effort (or 3rd record, depending on how you count, which I’ll discuss more later) Antifogmatic has had a serious portion of its body devoted to the explication on the title of the album given in the press release which accompanied it. At first, I was annoyed by the repetition, and then I realized that each review had missed the mark just a little with their interpretation. Luckily, here I am to offer mine. Is it all right if I say I think I hit the nail right on its head?

Before I go any further, I suppose I should do the obligatory and include the blurb Nonesuch has given us:

Of choosing the title, Thile notes, “’Antifogmatic’ is an old term for a bracing beverage, generally rum or whiskey, that a person would have before going out to work in rough weather to stave off any ill effects. This batch of tunes could be used in much the same way, and includes some characters who would probably benefit mightily, if temporarily, from a good antifogmatic.”

Establishing a thematic element, Thile is trapped to read exclusively reviews playing off the title. This one will be no different.

Punch Brothers first saw the light of day with a previous name, anonymously backing Thile in 2006’s jubilant solo project How to Grow a Woman From the Ground, where the core group that would be Punch Brothers (Noam Pikelny on the banjo, Gabe Witcher fiddling, and Chris Eldridge playing guitar, all virtuosic in their own right) was intact, even as the name was not. From there, the “How to Grow a Band,” as they were called on tour, were whittled down to a tightly-knit quintet for 2008’s official Punch Brothers debut Punch, a masterful album centered around the incredibly powerful 4-part central “Blind Leaving the Blind” suite.

In their own right, these two albums represented part of the boozing cycle. How to Grow a Woman was a night with the boys, swimming in a sea of whiskey, singing along to the Strokes at the top of your lungs, and maybe even crashing into a healthy dose of the ol’ beer tears with the title track. The pieces were all there well enough, but the end result was a little scattershot for better or for worse, a fun variation with just a little bit of missed memories around the edge — perfectly thematically appropriate.

Then came the crash, heavy and dark with Punch. The lustre had worn off, the light of day harsh and over-bright, the misery acute. A hangover in an album, a breakup swan song for the ages, adroitly looking back with grace while moving forward purposefully as out of a thick rye whiskey-induced sleep. Yes, we sweep ourselves off and pick up the pieces, but not without first lying around for a while.

Punch represented musical and thematic maturity that seemed unattainable for a second time. It put “bluegrassical” on the map in its timeless and genre-less blending of sonic elements, and did so with a humanity that was refreshing. Thile has the chops to hang with the best of them — see 2008’s duet album with Edgar Meyer if you’re not an apostle of the church of Chris yet — but he manages to convey his genius in a way that’s accessible to even Joe Casual Listener. The man has pop sensibilities that pair impressively with his classical training. Perhaps the finest example of this comes in the melody line from the final Nickel Creek album standout “Eveline”, where notes come out of what feels like nowhere, both jarring and somehow pleasing to the ear. In the chorus repeat, as Thile sings “Eveline, take care of your father,” he and Sara Watkins briefly sail off into uncharted waters before tacking back to a slightly more conventional path, like Bill Russell throwing one elbow just to show his opponents he could.

Antifogmatic is also a slightly more conventional path, sticking to radio-friendly 5-minute tracks instead of the 10+ minute monsters on Punch. And it’s peppier than Punch, a remedy for that Woman-induced hangover, taking the best of each album and learning from them. Album opener “You Are” could be the average of the two, rock-inspired yells pepper the song in full Woman fashion, and yet it’s distant and with a hint of untouchability in its lyrics, like much of Punch. The end of the album could easily have served as an epilogue to Punch, and its meaty middle (where the true goodies are) is purely vintage Thile fun.

The highlights of the album are definitely when the guys seem to be clowning around. Antifogmatic, unlike its predecessors, has its songs credited to all five members of the band, and it shows in several of the performances. “Don’t Need No” has an ensuite feel that would fit in with “The Blind Leaving the Blind,” but when it gets to the vocal section it changes pace radically and becomes a jammy breeze, jovial and chummy. “Rye Whiskey” was the first song I had heard off Antifogmatic, and charmed me straight away, seeming to keep intact the sort of banterish quality that distinguishes many live favorites (cf: “If You’re Gonna Leave Me”). And before that Punch epilogue comes in, we get the palette-cleanse sorbet that is “Next to the Trash,” a goofy singalong that’s pure bluegrass goodness.

Paired with the somber and more serious stuff, like the beautiful “Alex” or “Missy” or the incredibly beautifully crafted “Me and Us,” these songs make up an album that’s rich and varied, shaken up and served over ice with a twist of lemon. Gulp it down quick — it’s good for what ails you.

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Alex – Punch Brothers (YSI)

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Next to the Trash – Punch Brothers (YSI)

Antifogmatic is out now via Nonesuch. Get it there.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Edward — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:40:04 +0000

They know how to get there

If I were to make a list of places I wish I could go tonight, coming in right between “Endor” and “Someplace warm” would be Carnegie Hall, where several thousand lucky fans have the chance to see the miraculous Punch Brothers unveil new tunes and fill the sacred space with their beautifully melodic and thrilling folk/pop/bluegrass/classical amalgamated masterpieces. If you’re in the NY area, you have to go. I don’t do much ordering, but this is one. Plus, I’m told that rush tickets are only $10! LET ME LIVE VICARIOUSLY THROUGH YOU.

Any faithful reader of this blog has heard plenty about our collective adoration for Thile + co. If not, below are a few youtube videos to whet your proverbial whistle, one of which (the first) was a bonus track from 2008’s delectable Punch (the track is available exclusively on iTunes). Watch, listen, go. Then tell me all about it. In great detail.

I Know You Know

It’ll Happen

Rye Whiskey

Wilconey Island and Other Elisions

Edward — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:30:12 +0000

Greetings from the Scariest Place on Earth!

Last night, I had the good fortune to see Wilco at Coney Island’s Keyspan Park, home to the brilliantly-talented and usually-sober Brooklyn Cyclones. With new Show staffer David by my side, I blocked the view of everyone behind me, towering over the competition in a way I’m capable of doing when not standing next to the 6-6 behemoth Marquis Meowmers IV, which really heightened the experience. (Hoho!) Seriously, if you ever get a chance to be the tallest person at a concert, you should capitalize on it. It’s quite an experience. There’s nothing like making the 5-6 kid behind you furious. Or the 5-9 girl with the drunky-eyes who just elbowed her way to within 15 feet of the stage after arriving 30 minutes after the opener but, like, seriously dude, you’re so tall and she’s so short and why can’t you just trade places with her? And then you’re all like, hey lady, I’ve been here for 3 hours in the sun inhaling the Brooklyn barf that trails across from the boardwalk, and I totally hear you and all but I really have trouble seeing how that’s fair to any of the other 17000 people here who are shorter than I am. And the 5-9 girl whines that maybe if you worked a fucking job you wouldn’t have the time to stand out here for 3 hours and that’s why you should give her your spot. So you’re like, lady, keep insulting me and maybe I’ll have to go to the Port-a-Throne (Registered TM) and cry, leaving my spot for you, even though I have a job and it’s probably better than yours. And then David the Rookie (registered TM) is like, you should probably write about this, because it could be funny. So you do. With long, unedited sentences. All are great experiences, and I recommend them. But even if you can’t do all that, at least go see Wilco. And here’s why:

They rock as hard as anyone in rock right now. Period. Last night’s show was an almost 3-hour tour-de-force, coming in at 26 songs and featuring a few choice Indie Rock All Star guests, like the beautiful and talented Feist (joining for “You and I,” “California Stars,” and tambourine on “Hoodoo Voodoo”), Grizzly Bear’s Ed Droste (Vocals on “California Stars” and maracas on “Hoodoo Voodoo”), and all three of the members of Yo La Tengo, who opened for Wilco and then returned during Encore #1 for a raucous and rocking “Spiders (Kidsmoke).” The band is a tight, cohesive unit, and are note-perfect live, while still retaining their noisy daring. Glenn Kotche is one of the most energetic and phenomenal drummers I’ve had the opportunity to see, and I’m sure I don’t need to say anything about the brilliantly innovative Nels Cline.

However, no concert is without its flaws, and this one certainly had a couple. These flaws were mostly in song choice, though. And that’s not to say the setlist wasn’t good. In fact, they played a pretty awesome cross-section of their fantastic back catalog. I just wish they’d played more from 2001’s breathtaking Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, which is probably one of my 5 desert island albums. In particular, I had requested the rara avis “Magazine Called Sunset” on the Wilco site (they have a “request” feature, which is a fantastic idea), and was disappointed it didn’t make it into the show. But it was a long shot, and such is life. Lucky for you savvy readers, I’ve provided a few of my Wilco highlights below. Almost as good as the live experience, and all without having to peer over my tall, strong shoulders.

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Heavy Metal Drummer (Live) – Jeff Tweedy (YSI)

From Sunken Treasure: Live in the Pacific Northwest

This version features the alternate verse “She lifted up her shirt/at the battle of the bands/he twirled his sticks/she helped him to his van,” which Tweedy sang last night, causing Rookie of the Year David’s eyes to almost pop out of his head.

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A Magazine Called Sunset – Wilco (YSI)

From the exclusive YHF-era EP, More Like the Moon. (I can help you find it, if you’re at a loss.)

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Poor Places – Punch Brothers (YSI)

Recorded at their Daytrotter session, this may be the best version of this song I’ve ever heard. Better even than the original. That’s right — I went there. You know how much I love Chris Thile covers, and this is his finest, hands-down.

And if you like you see, turn off your tv and ZOOM!

Another Reintroduction (and more Thile)

Dave — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 03:28:14 +0000

Clue: I am not reintroducing this guy.

Now that the blog has officially changed it’s address from “http://animalshow.wordpress.com” to “http://thenanimalshow.org” (and undoubtedly disappointed legions of horny teenage males looking for kinky internet porn), I suppose it’s time for me to reintroduce myself as well. So hi. My name is Dave.

I would post on this blog sometimes, but most of the time, I would say I’m a part of this blog, but make minimal contribution. Sometimes, it would be because I didn’t have time to post. As a hard-working college senior (no joke intended there), I would find myself buried in too much other writing to consider writing for some animal-based fun. Sometimes, I’d just want to sleep, for the same reasons as listed above. But if I’m completely honest with myself, it’s pretty much because I suck.

Not anymore! As an enterprising and independent (read: unemployed) college graduate, I should have time finally to root through the years of music stored in my magnetic catacombs, and more importantly, I should have the time to report it. And to demonstrate that I belong on this blog, I bring more Chris Thile!

Here’s a song that is pretty good in it’s own right that Chris Thile makes his own: The Strokes’ “Heart in a Cage.” Thile takes the cool, disinterested sound of The Strokes and turns it into his brand of passionate, dreamy-blonde bluegrass. I listen to this song over and over; you should, too.

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(Download) this music. Heart in a Cage – Chris Thile (mediafire)(YSI)

A Reintroduction

Edward — Sat, 30 May 2009 20:34:57 +0000

New suits in space!

Once upon a bible, Jesus spent 40 days and nights in the wilderness. I could tell you why, but I’m too lazy to ask my dad (getting told bible stories is the worst). I’m not going to call myself Jesus because we all remember why John Lennon was shot, but I will say this: I have returned from my own 22 days in the wilderness (or 317 blogdays), and, as I remember Jesus did, I’ve returned bearing a domain name. Yes, as you may have noticed when you clicked your old animalshow.wordpress.com bookmark, we’ve set up shop over at theanimalshow.org. And though my absence may have led you to frequent tears and repeated questioning of whether life is worth continuing, rest assured I’m back and badder than ever.

If your continual frantic facebook messages, emails, and drunken tweets are any indication, you haven’t taken the absence well. You want to know why it is I’ve abandoned you. Well, folks, there’s a joke answer and a real one. One is that I’ve been busy building an Uncle Fumerous entirely out of purple, green, and orange Play-Doh.

The other is that I’d simply burned out on mp3 blogs. For a little while now, I’d been feeling oversaturated with new music. The dozen odd requests for listens and mp3s I get sent daily don’t help, but I felt like it was time for me to take a step back and reevaluate what it was I wanted to do as a blogger, or whether I wanted to continue at all. It was becoming very clear that the need I felt to post 6-sentence blurbs daily to maintain my position on hype machine was sucking most of the fun out of this, and I ended up posting the sort of stuff I would normally sit on in order to keep a new post on the front page. The hours I spent on the top 100 songs charts on hype machine waiting for my songs rank among the time I spent playing one-suit spider solitaire as the time I consider most uselessly wasted. And they provided less entertainment at the time than spider solitaire.

Guess which answer was the joke!

Anyway, I’ve decided that, from now on, I’m only posting material I’m really excited about. I won’t put stuff up in order to have stuff up. And I’m not going to try to be on the verge of something hot and new. If I like it, I’ll post it. Old, new, obscure, mainstream, remixed, original — who cares. Just good material, and just when it speaks to me.

That said, I think I’ve got enough stuff from the past weeks to continue posting regularly for some time, so don’t take this as a “yeah, I’m back, but only when I want to be.” I’m still here for you, and I still want feedback, as always. Besides, we’ve got a number of pretty cool additions we’ll be sending your way. Longtime spiritual advisor Louis Weeks will be joining the staff to provide live reviews of up-and-coming bands he finds in the scene this summer, and that super-secret surprise Marquis Meowmers alluded to some time ago is still on the way. Keep your mouses pointing here, dudes. This is the summer of the Show.

Until we meet again (and it will be soon, I promise), here are some sweet summer songs for you to scarf down, including the song I listened to 57 times since we last spoke: Nickel Creek/Chris Thile’s phenomenal “If You’re Gonna Leave Me (Set Me Up With One of Your Friends).”

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If You’re Gonna Leave Me (Set Me Up With One of Your Friends) – Nickel Creek (mega) (YSI)

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Blame It (feat. T-Pain) – Jamie Foxx (mega) (YSI)

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Forgot About Coke & 11th (Starters Remix) – Eminem & Spank Rock (mega) (YSI)

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The Reeling (Calvin Harris Remix) – Passion Pit (mega) (YSI)

Another Reintroduction (and more Thile)

Some Thile to Tide You Over

Edward — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:08:33 +0000

So talented. And such great hair. I hate you. Did you know that, Chris?

I’ve got a few pretty huge posts in the works, which are really word-heavy (which Drew, for one, hates, but I’m really not ever trying to please him). Because of that, I’m going to warm you up with something I stumbled upon just recently, which is yet another phenomenal Chris Thile bluegrass reinvention of an indie favorite. This time, it’s Radiohead’s “Morning Bell.” Beautiful.

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Morning Bell (Radiohead Cover) -- Chris Thile (megaupload)

Covers that Reinvent the Wheel: "Spit on a Stranger"

Edward — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:30:14 +0000

Yes, he's pudgy and hilarious now, but in a few short years he'd be all heart-throbby and virtuosic. Don't you feel sorry for snickering now?

I’ve been thinking a lot about covers recently. Because I’ve been listening to a lot of covers recently. And I think that the best variety of covers (not to repeat myself) are those that show a fresh and new perspective on the original song. No artist comes to mind who does this as ably as Chris Thile. From his roots in Nickel Creek to his outstanding solo album to his fantastic new band, he’s shown an ability to bluegrassify covers with grace and ingenuity, making other people’s songs his own.

The best way to start in this is to discuss the cover that first got me thinking about Bluegrassification: Pavement’s “Spit on a Stranger.” As a musically precocious 12-year-old, I fell in love with Pavement, particularly Terror Twilight. One day, I was singing “Spit on a Stranger” to myself, and my 10-year-old brother started to sing along. I was heartbroked — how had he forayed into uncharted indie waters before me? I asked him how he knew the song, and he told me about Nickel Creek, a band one of his loserish friends had turned him onto. He played me this cover, and my tiny little brain was melted. What are these mandolins doing in my Pavement? I still ask myself this question, but the cover is delicious. In a fried-cookie dough kind of way. Yes, I’ll eat it because I’m obligated to eat anything I like that’s been deep-fried, but I’ll enjoy it, because, what is this, some sort of french fry cookie? Enjoy the original and the cover, and then tell me which one you like better.

Spit on a Stranger – Pavement

Spit on a Stranger – Nickel Creek

I’ll ride this covers thing into the dirt, don’t you worry. And expect at least 2 more Chris Thile-based covers. They’re all delicious. Like deep-fried Twinkies or Zebra Cakes. Or deep-fried pickles. God, I need some boiling oil right about now.

Also, please let me know if you think there are any covers I should investigate. Comment; it makes me feel loved.