Athens66: 11/1/08

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In the Book of Norma

Norma is yet another Swedish band I’ve recently discovered. However this one doesn’t fit into the classic Swedish pop category since they are a genuine rock band. The band hails from Hägersten and has just released their debut album Book of Norma on Novoton/NONS records. Their record is a mixture of ambient and progressive rock comprising of mostly dark compositions with a really full rock sound that is not often found in new bands. I have to be honest, I’m still trying to get a hold of their album but from the tracks on myspace and their debut single Waste I’ve already been persuaded and will continue searching for more of their material. Finally, a band to watch out for…

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Belle and Sebastian serve The BBC Sessions

It's been more than 2 years since the last album release (The Life Pursuit) from our favorite band from Glasgow and something more than 12 years since their debut back in 1996 with Tigermilk. Unfortunately there are no news of any new material coming our way but we'll have to settle with a new collection featuring tracks they dug out of the BBC archives. The collection features some of their early recordings from 1996 up to 2001 and is accompanied by a second disc containing tracks performed on December 21, 2001 at the Belfast Christmas show. Full track listing follows (courtesy of Pitchfork) along with one of our favorite tracks, Dog On Wheels, which is however not featured in this collection.

Disc One - Radio Sessions:
01 The State I Am In (Mark Radcliffe Session; 07/96)
02 Like Dylan in the Movies (Mark Radcliffe Session; 07/96)
03 Judy and the Dream of Horses (Mark Radcliffe Session; 07/96)
04 The Stars of Track and Field (Mark Radcliffe Session; 07/96)
05 I Could Be Dreaming (Mark Radcliffe session; 12/96; abbreviated version)
06 Seymour Stein (Evening Session; 07/97)
07 Lazy Line Painter Jane (Evening Session; 07/97)
08 Sleep the Clock Around (Evening Session; 07/97)
09 Slow Graffiti (Evening Session; 07/97)
10 Wrong Love (later recorded as “The Wrong Girl”) (Evening Session; 07/97)
11 Shoot the Sexual Athlete (John Peel session; 05/01)
12 The Magic of a Kind Word (John Peel session; 05/01)
13 Nothing in the Silence (John Peel session; 05/01)
14 (My Girl’s Got) Miraculous Technique (John Peel session; 05/01)

Disc Two - Live in Belfast (12/21/01):
01 Here Comes the Sun
02 There’s Too Much Love
03 The Magic of a Kind Word
04 Me and the Major
05 Wandering Alone
06 The Model
07 I’m Waiting for the Man
08 The Boy With the Arab Strap
09 The Wrong Girl
10 Dirty Dream #2
11 The Boys Are Back in Town
12 Legal Man

PS. Belle is one of the few favorite bands that I still haven't seen live and I'm just dying to..

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Just another Annoying post

There is nothing more behind this post than just to annoy a couple of friends..:-)

iLiKETRAiNS

Dark Dark Dark or not that Dark?

Dark Dark Dark (nice name btw) is a strange band from Minneapolis with a unique sound. For starters, the band utilizes mostly a banjo, piano, strings, accordion, and vocals (yeap, no guitars or drums in most cases). Their music is something between late 1800’s and early 1900’s, mixing Balkan traditional music with gypsy influences and down-tempo old folk songs. It all sounds too old-fashioned for most people’s tastes, but don’t rush into rejecting them..

Snow Magic is the band’s debut album (out Oct 21st on Blood Onion Records) which also features local artist Martin Dosh on some occasional drums. The album is surprisingly good, setting the scene right from the first track Ashes. It has a general tone of melancholy but without digging too deep into depression. It’s more of a magical trip into the start of the previous century, with beautiful strings and accordion setting the tune while the vocals unroll the stories. Those of you that are fans of Beirut may find similarities in the genre, but there is no mimicking of any kind in this album. The band shows real talent in their debut and for me it proved a really refreshing change. Guess sometimes you need to take a good look into the past before stepping forward..

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Piano Magic Live

So, I finally made this one! Saturday night, after a pint of Guinness (since An Club didn't open until 22.00) and there we were just in front of the small stage with a second beer in our hands awaiting for the Magic to appear on stage. This took a while longer since the band finally made their appearance a few minutes before 23.00, but who cared? (not me definitely, since after Animals Collective's solo trip, we were in full company this time)

The club was quite packed (but not a full house by all means) and the atmosphere was just perfect for quickly diving into Piano Magic's dreamy guitar sound. The guys (and gal) were in a cheerful mood and felt right at home by the crowd (they keep coming back to Athens every year so they must be quite familiar with the local scene/crowd by now). What followed was something more than an hour of really beautiful music from new and old material (including a Dead Can Dance cover). The small stage of An Club really suits the band and the crowd made sure that this was going to feel like a pleasant Saturday night-out hanging around with friends on the local pub, while enjoying your favorite tracks. All in all, a really nice performance; if only it didn't cost 35 euros :-)

Time for some Piano Magic

It's time for some magic tonight...Piano Magic@An Club tonight at 21.30...See ya there!!

Fuck....I forgot Fuck Buttons

Quick question to our readers out there. Did anyone see Fuck Buttons at An Club on Monday? I totally forgot they where playing (and so wanted to see them live...). I guess it only proves that Monday ain't the best date for a gig in this city :-)

Live from Athens

Probably most people expected this blog to post about Obama's victory. Well, since music is our real candidate here, I decided to post some of the upcoming live dates that have been announced for Athens the following months instead. There are indeed some good acts coming and hopefully even more to be announced. In red are my favorite ones that I hope to attend.

November 8, 2008 ROISIN MURPHY Gagarin 205
November 8, 2008 PIANO MAGIC An Club

~~November 14, 2008 THE TEENAGERS Gagarin 205~~
November 15, 2008 STEREO MCs Fuzz Club
November 15, 2008 GURU'S JAZZMATAZZ Gagarin 205
November 16, 2008 THE RESIDENTS Pallas Theater
November 23, 2008 iLiKETRAiNS Gagarin 205

November 28, 2008 ΤRICKY Fuzz Club
November 28, 2008 DUB PISTOLS Gagarin 205
November 29, 2008 PUBLIC ENEMY Gagarin 205
December 12, 2008 MONSTER MAGNET Gagarin 205
December 13, 2008 FRONT 242 Fuzz Club
December 21, 2008 WEDDING PRESENT Tiki Bar

January 31, 2009 CALEXICO Fuzz Live Music Club
February 7, 2009 AND ALSO THE TREES An Club
February 15, 2009 NURSE WITH WOUND Kyttaro Live
February 21, 2009 TINDERSTICKS Badminton Theater

February 21, 2009 MOGWAI Gagarin 205
May 12, 2009 DEPECHE MODE Terra Vibe

PS. There are some rumors regarding Sigur Ros coming to Athens as well. Let's just hope our wish to see our beloved Icelanders turns out to be true..

Time for Change?

The time has come; we are only 1 day away from the presidential elections in the US and Lewis Hamilton all the way from Brazil has led the way. Yesterday was victory no.1 with Lewis winning the F1 world championship in a dramatic Brazilian GP, but the best is (hopefully) yet to come with tomorrow's showdown in the US. Until then, let's just sit back and watch how Obama's candidacy actually turns out. Change? O' the Times...

Long Time No See (Snowblind)

It's been quite a while since I last posted on this blog. It could be because of constant overtimes at work or perhaps because I'm finally in love again...Whichever the case, I need to find more time for posting and primarily for seeking new music (it's been ages since I had proper time to sit down and listen to new tracks). The only thing I managed to give a listen to is the new album by X/-, Xs on your Eyes. Instantly lovable, obviously indie and with a new clip out for their single Snowblind.

PS. We were finally able to add the new Followers gadget so feel free to be the first (and perhaps last) to follow Athens66..

The Team

Athens66 started off as a common project by a bunch of friends but quickly turned into almost a personal blog (although some remains of previous posts can still be found). Currently, the Team has been narrowed down to two members, who besides being old friends and schoolmates share the same joy for Music, Movies, Alcohol and Pro Evolution sessions.

The sole purpose of this blog is to shout out whatever comes in mind about movies, music, reality, fantasy and all the rest. Nothing posted here is to be taken seriously, but then again what is? Since this blog is still quite fresh, we are definitely open to suggestions and directions (although most of them will just be ignored)

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Athens66

In the Book of Norma

Belle and Sebastian serve The BBC Sessions

Just another Annoying post

iLiKETRAiNS

Dark Dark Dark or not that Dark?

Piano Magic Live

Time for some Piano Magic

Fuck....I forgot Fuck Buttons

Live from Athens

Time for Change?

Long Time No See (Snowblind)

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