It’s rare on this site for us to lead with a YouTube video, but there’s something special that translates with Kram‘s “Good Love.”

Kram, which I’m assuming is both the name of the band and the bearded dude singing, has a Zach Galifianakis quality to it, provided that Galifianakis got married and had a child.

Good Love is just about that, a man who loves his wife and little boy, and the only way he can express those feelings is through a rock song he apparently wrote while in a cab.

In his own words, via the PR:

“My girl, my little boy and me. It’s our life. Wrote the song in a cab on the way to the studio. 4 hours later it was finished. Full on and a little bit fucked up. My best guitar solo. Mix Tape is a luv and rock n roll record, and I made ‘Good Love’ because that says it all:  just me and my girl Ree and our little boy Lonnie. Pretty simple… but awesome.”

And it is awesome. I would add this to your summer jams playlist immediately.

Oh, why is it awesome? I have not idea. I can only tell you that there is something pure about a man playing a rock song about his family and then incorporating said family into his video.

Maybe it’s because I’m on the cusp of getting married myself, but I kind of see this as Family 2.0. In this age of file sharing networks, it seems people are learning to share other things in their life. And that’s the kind of family everyone really wants. Screw the picket fence. It’s about sharing Good Love.

2 April, 2009 Northcote Social Club (18+) Northcote, VIC Sold Out

3 April, 2009 The Annandale Hotel (18+) Sydney, NSW Sold Out

5 April, 2009 Moonee Valley Youth Festival Melbourne, VIC Sold Out

25 April, 2009 Luna Park Big Top (w/ Eagles Of Death Metal) Sydney, NSW Sold Out

26 April, 2009 The Palace Theatre (w/ Eagles Of Death Metal) Melbourne, VIC Sold Out

2 May, 2009 The Sand Tavern Maroochydore, QLD Sold Out

3 May, 2009 Caxton St Festival Brisbane, QLD Sold Out

5 June, 2009 Newcastle University Newscastle, NSW Sold Out

6 June, 2009 Woodport Inn Newscastle, NSW Sold Out

7 June, 2009 Come Together Festival (Luna Park) Sydney, NSW Sold Out

21 JuNE, 2009 The Community Cup (Elsternwick Park) Melbourne, VIC Sold Out

3 July, 2009 Pelly Bar Frankston, VIC Sold Out

4 July, 2009 Ferntree Gully Hotel Melbourne, VIC Sold Out

9 July, 2009 Quiksilver Instore – George St – 10PM Sydney, NSW Sold Out

9 July, 2009 UncharTED – Oxford Art Factory – 6PM Sydney, NSW Sold Out

11 July, 2009 Quiksilver Instore – Manly Sydney, NSW Sold Out

12 July, 2009 Quiksilver Instore – SDS – Bondi Sydney, NSW Sold Out

17 July, 2009 Quiksilver Instore – Bourke St – 6PM Melbourne, VIC Sold Out

26 July, 2009 Splendour In The Grass Byron Bay, NSW Sold Out

21 August, 2009 (Kr)Amplifier Perth, WA Buy Tickets

22 August, 2009 Prince Of Wales Bunbury, WA Buy Tickets

23 August, 2009 Mojos Bar Freemantle, WA Buy Tickets

28 August, 2009 Brisbane Hotel Hobart, TAS To Be Announced

29 August, 2009 Hotel New York Launceston, TAS To Be Announced

4 September, 2009 Ding Dong Lounge Melbourne, VIC To Be Announced

10 September, 2009 Heritage Hotel Wollongong, NSW To Be Announced

11 September, 2009 Spectrum Sydney, NSW To Be Announced

12 September, 2009 Bimbadgen Blues, Roots, Funk n’ Grooves Festival Huneter Valley, NSW Buy Tickets

Though it was still cool for a Boston summer evening, the sun had managed to poke through around midday, creating a positive atmosphere with smiles and flip-fopped feet lining the street. In many ways, it was the perfect prelude to a Matisyahu concert, the Hasidic Jew with a penchant for reggae beats and hopeful lyrics.

As I changed out of workday clothes into concert gear in my girl’s car, the faint sound of a “Ohhhhh” floated through the air, telling us the punctual Bank of America Pavilion had suddenly come to life.

“Do you think my car will be towed? It’s ok in that spot, right?” she asked as we walked, the sound getting louder.
“Yea, I’m sure it’s fine.”

Truthfully, I wasn’t that sure, but at that point it was too late. Like the sun poking through rainclouds at noon, there’s a strange sense of contentment and happiness that hits you during a Matisyahu concert. Maybe it’s the ambiguous religiosity of the shows. Or maybe it’s the strong scent of weed in the air.

We walked in as he was performing “Jerusalem” and as I paid my $10 beer (at least it was Samuel Adams) and headed to my seat, I began to look around at the crowd.

There was a mix, from some loners to my left to the bald-headed dad in front of me who looked like he was there with his entire family.  There was also a girl further down my row with her arms crossed, possibly wondering why she picked the hippie over the jock as her boyfriend at that party that one time.

Pretty soon, the music started to pick up causing everyone to do the same kind of dance, a sort of backward march thing, but in place (It’s the kind of natural movement that immediate comes when hearing reggae. Put some on now and see).

And then the DMB jam session began.

It’s a term my better half and I made up and it refers to an extended section of a song where everything slows down and suddenly it turns into a different song that is slow and sounds nothing like the initial song you were listening to.

This happened. A lot. At one point it was just Matisyahu singing “waaaahhhhhhoooooooooohhhhhh” into the mic for what seemed like 10 minutes.

It’s not that it was bad. Quite the opposite. But it was relaxing and as the shoulders began to slump downward, some in the crowd began to look tired (bald dad sat down and crossed his legs, the ultimate sign of “I need rest now”).

It got to the point when I started to ask why other songs weren’t being played like “Youth” or “Indestructible.” Inevitably “King Without a Crown” was played and I feared it was the end of the set. Thankfully, it wasn’t.

The show ended with his new single “One Day,” a Top 40-radio ready song that will be in numerous Summer 09 iPod playlists once it gets more airplay.

At this moment, life crept back into the crowd. The loners started to smile at strangers. Bald dad uncrossed his legs and held his wife. Even angry girlfriend started to sway and nod her head.

Granted, it’s an undeniably catchy song, but as we left with the chorus still ringing in my ears, I realized the basic message of staying positive for a better tomorrow is probably what gets people. And in the end, that’s the essence of religion and music. One guy just decided to take the best of both and grow a beard.

[Below is a video of some pictures with "One Day" playing. It's admittedly horrible. But I like to think it will mark a new project for 52shows, the video/pic documentation of a show. Just need to sneak in a better camera.]

[vimeo 5518046]

The Concert Stranger attends shows in NYC and, from time to time, reports on what he saw in the least amount of words possible because when people use too many “they just get in the way.” Here’s what he did in March.

3/4 Manchester Orchestra @ Mercury Lounge

This 5 piece from Atlanta, GA have a new record called Mean Everything to Nothing dropping on April 21st. It is hands down the best record I have heard this year. My only complaint about their set at the Mercury lounge is that it was too short- can’t wait for their gig at Bowery next month. This is the band to watch in 2009.

The Only One

3/11 The Airborne Toxic Event @ Bowery Ballroom

How is “Sometime Around Midnight” a hit song when it doesn’t have a chorus? The answer was illustrated to me live: it starts slow and builds to a massive frenzy. LA’s indie darlings recently signed to Island Records and are headed to Europe- but catch them in May at the Sasquatch Music Festival. Bonus: the band takes their name from a Don DeLillo book- got to like a band that can read.

Sometime Around Midnight

3/20 Richard Buckner @ Mercury Lounge

Buckner needs no stage show- he is mesmerizing solo and seated with only a trusty looping pedal to fill out the accompaniment. But the show started at 12:30 in the morning- I had been drinking since 6. Richard I’m an old man- how do you feel about the early bird special next time around?

Blue and Wonder (live)

3/26 White Lies @ Bowery Ballroom

These fine gentleman are from London and they are hot there. The band’s debut record To Lose My Life was the first (debut) to hit #1 on the UK charts this year. Singer Harry McVeigh claimed his voice was shot this particular evening at the Bowery- but they sounded good to me regardless- set was short and sweet- look forward to seeing them again.

To Lose My Life

3/30 The Hold Steady @ Irving Plaza

The sound was sub-par, the band did a lot of old material which is not my favorite (i know- sacrilegious- screw you hipsters) but still one of the better shows I’ve been to this year. The Hold Steady have a positive energy that is infectious and undeniable. A re-affirming musical experience.

Stay Positive

Up next Bow Wow…

*Not from last night’s show

Last night I met up with an old friend at a random show I knew nothing about.

“These guys are like old-school (Red Hot Chili) Peppers…They got this funky vibe thing going on…actually, it’s a little crazy how much they rip them off.”

That was my intro to the band The Force, who blends the Star Wars geekiness and sexuality of its name perfectly.

The first thing you notice before their live show is Lord Scyentifik’s hair. He’s a white guy with a massive afro, the kind of guy you see on the subway/bus/park bench and whispher “What an asshole” to yourself. This all fades the second you see him perform on stage.

Familiar sounds of funk rock immediately fill the air as Lord jumps up and down on stage while women in the front start dancing, thankful they picked tonight to wear the push-up bra. It’s not so much that they want to dance as it is they have to. Once the funk gets in you, there is no control. Even my buddy pulled out some Michael Jacks-now moves while carrying on a conversation about his fight to rid the world of being dependent on oil.

I know. Hard to explain. Here’s a video of the band from a year ago for a taste.

See? The hair is everywhere.

And I’m not gonna lie. I wasn’t expecting much and really only ran out on a Friday night to get hammered. But the Force, like its name suggests, makes you listen to them and, in some cases, inspires your body to move in unnatural, should-only-be-done-at-home, ways.

This isn’t the dark side. It’s the sexy rock side and exists in a galaxy far, far away.

Prior to this performance, Noel Gallagher said having hip-hop at the Glastonberry Glastonbury rock festival was a bad idea and that hip-hop would have “no chance” at the festival. Jay answered this by coming on stage with a guitar strapped on (he didn’t really play it) and a mic stand decked out a la Steven Tyler (from Areosmith who, as we all know, helped break hip-hop group Run DMC to the MTV world).

He opened with a “cover” of Oasis’ “Wonderwall” and I put that in quotes because Jay was simply “singing” with the song, the same way drunk dudes “sing” to songa in their car after a heavy night of boozing.

It was, however, a noble effort and did silence critics about Jay being at Glastonberry Glastonbury (and not to mention boasted his album sales in Britain).

But is this weird? Should hip-hop be at Glastonberry? Especially as the main act? I’m not sure. I love Jay-Z, but I have to wonder the reasoning behind him showing up at Glastonberry Glastonbury.

As for Noel, he’s somewhat backtracking his previous comments and now may be looking to do something with Jay, thanks in part to the overwelming postive reaction Jay got at the festival.

So check the video out

Apocalyptica is famous for rocking Metallica songs on four celloes. Is it celloes or celli?

Anyway, the band loves 52 Shows. Perhaps we can get them to throw together a thrash cello theme song for us. For now we’ll make do with the Euro-shout-out.

Recently, Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward made hipsters cream themselves with the release of She & Him “Volume One,” a collaboration that combines Ward’s musical talent with Deschanel’s general awesomeness.

She’s always been great in films, delivering that much needed sarcastic tone/look/atmosphere that can elevate a film like “Failure to Launch” into the “watchable” pile.

But which do you prefer? Here are some videos to help you decide.

Zooey Deschanel in “Failure to Launch”

She & Him “Dream a Little Dream”

And by the way, if you haven’t picked up She & Him, it’s worth it, provided you like a throwback to the sounds of a ’70s summer and a cover of “You Really Got a Hold on Me.”

As for me, I think I prefer concert Zooey. Even “Elf” gets tiring after the 12th viewing and I can tell I’ll be listening to “Volume One” for a while.

*Update: Just found a NY Times article this morning on She & Him that’s worth your time.

There are Neutral Milk Hotel fans, like myself, who met the group too late to ever see Jeff Mangum live and must rely on modern conveniences like YouTube to help fill the void. Here’s a clip of Mangum, solo, performing the title track from his 1998 release “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea.”

Many consider the album to be the group’s best. Since then, Mangum has been a sort of spiritual presence in the music world, popping up around the world and on various albums. In 2001 he suffered a nervous breakdown and has been in the background ever since.

Enjoy the video. It’s a footage of a great musician we may never see prominently on stage again.

Thanks to reader Jeng Liu for finding this live video of Infinite Flying Kick doing a cover of Radiohead’s “Creep.”

Whoa…while I was watching this a spider walked across my desk and creeped me OUT. I should leave work and go home.

Joy Daniels

Last week on Wednesday (March 26) I had a particularly shitty day at work. Nothing truly horrific happened, it was just packed with menial tasks and forced me to question my career path in life.

Then I went to the invite-only launch party for Cafe 939, the new coffee shop/music venue for Berklee School of Music and was greeted by the two of the most beautiful words in the English language: “Open bar.”

Oh right, there was music there too, as you can tell from the video above and below.

Julia Easterlin

The cafe is meant to teach Berklee students about what it takes to run a music club. The students handle the booking (national and student acts), the box office and the food. It’s also good that the musicians get used to the feel and atmosphere of a coffee shop, since there’s where the majority of musicians start out.

The truth is, Berklee holds some of the best young musicians in the country. Joy Daniels (above video) ended the night with an energetic performance (she even covered “What’s going on.”)

And if you want to feel completely untalented, check out Julia Easterlin performing with the sounds she makes on stage and loops them throughout the performance. She’s 18. When I was 18 I could barely get through a Nine Inch Nails album without running into a wall.

Berklee students are pretty impressive and it’s almost scary how talented these kids are. If you want a taste of what’s to come, check out The Sounds of Berklee podcast.

We’re hoping to get something going with Cafe 939…because I’m a glutton for seeing how much I suck as a musician.