Aesthetics are everything for a band. If you don’t have an identity it is easy for a band to lose their place in a crowded field. Vacationer do not have that problem and it’s easy to see why they had more than a few fans at Bowery Ballroom on January 12.

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Vacationer are just that, a trip away from the mundane and the daily grind. Step back, step out and set your blanket down. Vactioner may be too on the nose with their set up, a lit up globe, videos of scenic destinations, but the vibe and the atmosphere that they created resonated with the crowd. With songs like “Gone,” “Trip” or “No Rules,” Vacationer are a band that feels remarkably poised and established and that credit goes to the established identity of the group and its music as well as to their frontman, Kenny Vasoli.

More of the review and full set of photos from the night after the jump.
continue reading "Vacationer Chill Out Bowery Ballroom"

Divine Fits at Webster Hall featured all the great aspects of their debut album, A Thing Called the Divine Fits, and more. As a band, Divine Fits have incredible chemistry and each song has a sense of vitality, direction and purpose that make for a great night at a show.

It’s not surprising that the Divine Fits are a great live band but it’s always nice for a band to exceed already high expectations. Fans of Dan Boeckner’s work in Wolf Parade or Handsome Furs and Britt Daniel’s work in Spoon will find plenty to love in the music of the Divine Fits. Sam Brown, from New Bomb Turks, adds in some dynamic drumming to round out the band.

Read more of the review, including set list and photos of Divine Fits and Cold Cave, after the jump.
continue reading "Divine Fits Aim For Your Heart at Webster Hall"

It’s October 16, and in New York, that means the start of the 2012 CMJ Music Marathon. Perhaps the easiest thing you’ll do in the next four days will be picking up your badge. From there, there are endless possibilities to spend your day and night. So over the next four days, TheMusic.FM will help ease some of that burden. Come along and let’s see some of the best acts and showcases for Tuesday and Wednesday.

See our CMJ recommendations after the jump.
continue reading "Your Primer for CMJ 2012: Part 1"

Divine Fits played a couple of dates around the time A Thing Called Divine Fits was released and if you missed out, fret no more, as Divine Fits have announced a fall tour.

Divine Fits have been labeled a supergroup but that’s sort of unfair. Sure it has Britt Daniel (Spoon), Dan Boeckner (Wolf Parade/Handsome Furs) and Sam Brown (New Bomb Turks) but Divine Fits is more than just the sum of their collective success. With Divine Fits, Daniel, Boeckner and Brown have created a viable band that successfully navigates new territory for all members involved.

There are elements of each member’s more famous projects, naturally, but the band, and the album, deserve a listen independent of the past. The album has received plenty of praise and is insanely catch and a very rewarding listening experience. Standouts like “Would That Not Be Nice,” the cover of “Shivers” or “Like Ice Cream” prove the band is more than a side project.

Add to it the great stage presence of Boeckner and Daniel and you have a recipe for a great night of live music. If Divine Fits come to your town, you should catch them. The tour begins on October 16 in Rhode Island and dates include a stop at Webster Hall on October 21. Even better, Cold Cave will support on select dates for the band. All dates below.

Divine Fits 2012 Fall Tour

10/16 – Pawtucket, RI @ Met Cafe
10/17 – Boston, MA @ Royale
10/18 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
10/19 – Northampton, MA @ Pearl Street
10/21 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall *
10/22 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer *
10/24 – Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall *
10/25 – Chicago, IL @ Logan Square Auditorium *
10/26 – Indianapolis, IN @ Deluxe *
10/27 – Asheville, NC @ Moogfest
10/28 – Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theater *
10/29 – Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West *
10/31 – Austin, TX @ Stubbs *
11/02 – Tucson, AZ @ The Rock *
11/03 – Pioneertown, CA @ Pappy & Harriet’s *
11/04 – Los Angeles, CA @ Fonda Theater *

* – with Cold Cave

It’s rare to be taken off guard while covering the music scene and Zammuto did just that. Opening for Gotye, Zammuto handled the large Williamsburg Park with ease thanks to his brand of weird, infectious and smart pop.

Zammuto – The Shape Of Things To Come

I was not sure how Zammuto’s intricate blend of pop would translate live. There are a lot of hidden charms to be mined from his music and dedicated listening is richly rewarded. Thankfully, all of that richness was magnified live, with the audience treated to some fun visuals and offbeat tangents.

Read more of the review including a full gallery of photos after the jump.
continue reading "Zammuto’s Offbeat Pop Charms Williamsburg Park"