Last week during New York's yearly CMJ Music Marathon I had the opportunity to watch nearly five-gazillion rock shows (more or less) and see a ton of amazing bands. Even though I saw tons of great stuff, few acts were as charming or altogether refreshing as Brooklyn's VIVIAN GIRLS. The band has been riding high on a wave of press attention since the release of its self-titled debut a couple of months ago and judging from the number of shows they played during CMJ this year, they were clearly one of the most buzzed about bands. The all-girl trio marries harmonious 60's girl-group vocals with jingly-jangly garage rock guitars, resulting in a sound that is somehow nostalgic and forward thinking at the same time. No other band I saw last week put on a show that was as fun or as genuinely good-spirited as the Vivian Girls' performance at Don Pedros (which is no small feat considering they played after 1:30am at a venue way out in deepest Brooklyn). So, after much consideration, I'm giving VIVIAN GIRLS my "Favorite Band of CMJ" award (or I would, if such an award actually existed).
Here are FIVE other bands that turned heads and shattered eardrums at CMJ this year (and that I happened to love).
1. GANG GANG DANCE
What used to be one of NYC's weirdest bands has suddenly become one of it's best. The band played a variety of shows throughout the week, but their set at Stereogum's party was a total stunner. Their new album, St. Dymphna, will likely be showing up on many a top 10 list at the end of the year.
check them out on Myspace
2. LITTLE BOOTS
This pint-sized pop starlet from London totally shocked everyone at the FADER showcase by being such a total badass. England is totally killing it right now with all the up and coming female super-singers. Little Boots is the next in line. Stay tuned.
check them out on Myspace
3. CRYSTAL STILTS
In what was the weirdest show that I saw all week, Crystal Stilts took the stage at Webster Hall at 4:30am (!!!) as the final band on what had already been a pretty stellar bill (Gang Gang, Ponytail, and Marnie Stern all played beforehand). Even in the wee hours and playing to a small (and exhausted) crowd, the band delivered an amazing set of spooky, beautiful garage rock.
check them out on Myspace
4. SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLS
Pretty band alert! School of Seven Bells not only make gorgeous, trance-inducing space rock, there are also twin sisters in the band. Top that.
check them out on Myspace
5. CHAIRLIFT
Because Brooklyn needs another buzzy, "It" band to talk about, we now have Chairlift. I would have been prepared to dislike this band for no good reason until I saw them play live. Now, not only am I obsessed with their lead singer, but I can't stop listening to their song, "Planet Health" over and over.
check them out on Myspace
also, don't forget VIVIAN GIRLS on Myspace
Here are FIVE other bands that turned heads and shattered eardrums at CMJ this year (and that I happened to love).
1. GANG GANG DANCE
What used to be one of NYC's weirdest bands has suddenly become one of it's best. The band played a variety of shows throughout the week, but their set at Stereogum's party was a total stunner. Their new album, St. Dymphna, will likely be showing up on many a top 10 list at the end of the year.
check them out on Myspace
2. LITTLE BOOTS
This pint-sized pop starlet from London totally shocked everyone at the FADER showcase by being such a total badass. England is totally killing it right now with all the up and coming female super-singers. Little Boots is the next in line. Stay tuned.
check them out on Myspace
3. CRYSTAL STILTS
In what was the weirdest show that I saw all week, Crystal Stilts took the stage at Webster Hall at 4:30am (!!!) as the final band on what had already been a pretty stellar bill (Gang Gang, Ponytail, and Marnie Stern all played beforehand). Even in the wee hours and playing to a small (and exhausted) crowd, the band delivered an amazing set of spooky, beautiful garage rock.
check them out on Myspace
4. SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLS
Pretty band alert! School of Seven Bells not only make gorgeous, trance-inducing space rock, there are also twin sisters in the band. Top that.
check them out on Myspace
5. CHAIRLIFT
Because Brooklyn needs another buzzy, "It" band to talk about, we now have Chairlift. I would have been prepared to dislike this band for no good reason until I saw them play live. Now, not only am I obsessed with their lead singer, but I can't stop listening to their song, "Planet Health" over and over.
check them out on Myspace
also, don't forget VIVIAN GIRLS on Myspace
