I kicked off my CMJ at Brooklyn Vegan's day showcase at Pianos, still a bit sleepy and hungover from the Halloween debauchery of the night before. I was excited to be seeing Land of Talk (whom I caught and loved earlier this summer), and also to be meeting up with a fellow music-addict from LA who would be my show buddy for the next couple of days.

A couple of bloody mary's and Nicolai Dunger kicked things off. They were a competent, Scandinavian band who played folk-pop or something along those lines. They were good at what they did, but it wasn't my thing.

LA's Little Ones followed, and they have their sugar perfect happy pop down to a science at this point. I also caught them previously this summer (oddly enough, opening up for Land of Talk, again), and I imagine that they can look forward to some success when their album drops sometime next spring or summer. They're also very friendly guys, who I ended up getting drunk with after the show through a mutual friend. Shots at 4 in the afternoon are totally rock and roll.


Montreal's Land of Talk played next, and continued to woo me. I saw them this summer on accident, but after hearing them play for about a minute I was totally sold. Their excellent EP Applause, Cheer, Boo, Hiss has kept me satisfied since then, and I jumped at the chance to see them again. I love the vibe from the band, and particularly that of their frontwoman. She's got this spunky, funny charisma that draws you in, and then when she starts playing and singing, you're hooked. LoT played a few new songs which sounded good, and the old stuff sounded great. I can't wait for their new album (sometime early next year, perhaps?), and I'll definitely be at their next NYC show, whenever that is.

I had to run off to another party after Land of Talk, and when I came back it was too full for me to see CSS. However, they sounded good from outside, and everyone who walked out had a glazed smile on their face, so I'm guessing the show went pretty well.

Labels: CMJ, Concert Reviews, Land of Talk