Tim Kasher at The Tonic Room, Chicago, IL
From July 27, 2010
Review by: Derek Walker

Tim Kasher is a strange sort. After much success with Cursive, the band that made many a high schooler’s awkward phase just a little bit easier, he swapped bandmates and started The Good Life. The reviews were mixed. Some enjoyed the more somber, heartfelt lyricism of the new band, while others wished for more classics from Cursive. Both sides had their merits, and Kasher never really conceded one way or the other; he still releases albums under both monikers – good ones, at that. And now it seems he’s trying to outdo himself again with a third project, this one under his own name.

Kasher brought some new material to The Tonic Room in Chicago Tuesday, and the lot of it was fairly impressive. The venue itself was rather narrow, holding about 100 people on the best of nights. I have to admit it was awkward seeing the guy so close and candid. Having seen Cursive at festivals and medium-sized venues, one gets the illusion that Kasher is untouchable, a god of the stage who is just out of reach. To see him at a bar on the city’s north side, nervously strumming through poignant, delicately worded songs he attributes to nobody but himself was something special. He was backed by a three-piece band which included Geoff Dolce on bass and violin, Erin Tate (Minus the Bear) on drums and Patrick Newbery (Cursive, Head of Femur) on keys and horn.

The set list contained a good portion of Kasher’s upcoming solo album titled “The Game of Monogamy,” a cover of Tom Waits’s “I Want You” and a tremendous rendition of The Good Life’s “Night and Day.” Songs like “Monogamy” and “Uh-huh,” meanwhile, were true gems that allowed Kasher to belt out some of those “Ugly Organ”-era screams. On the whole, he looked a lot more comfortable than he did several months ago at a house show, also in Chicago. There, he forgot words and had to start a few songs over – which he alluded to and joked about during the most recent set.

It was a treat seeing such a high-profile musician in such an intimate setting. Even if the goal of this set was to work out the kinks of the new songs and test them out in front of an audience, nobody left disappointed.

“The Game of Monogamy” will be released October 5 on Saddle Creek Records.

Set list:
1. Bad, Bad Dreams
2. I’m Afraid I’m Gonna Die Here
3. There Must Be Something I’ve Lost
4. No Fireworks
5. Strays
6. I Want You (Tom Waits cover)
7. A Grown Man
8. Just Don’t Get Caught
9. Night and Day
10. Monogamy
11. The Prodigal Husband
12. Cold Love
13. Uh-huh

FOLLOW TIM KASHER ON FACEBOOK
VISIT TIM KASHER ON SADDLE CREEK

(Courtesy: Tim McPherrin)

Only a few more weeks till this year and decade will be coming to an end. So we felt it was time to get our “Best of” lists going. Most blogs and Magazines have already posted theirs and that gave us even more reason to wait. The year wasn’t quite over and who knows what other musical gems could arrive. Enjoy our “Best of ’09: Staff Approved” series!

To get us started off on the good foot is IRR’s favorite critical thinker and resident “Douche,” Barry Moore. All kidding aside, give us your thoughts and on what you think of our choices! Enjoy!

Barry Moore’s Top 10 albums of the year. and why.

1. Pomegranates “Everybody, Come Outside!”

This is easily the most interesting album to listen to and also the catchiest of the entire year. If it were the 70′s again, I would say that the band Pomegranates would be Supertramp. They don’t sound much like them. But socially I feel like they have a similar vibe. They are absolutely fun. And sometimes that’s what music is supposed to be. Fun. And enjoyable, without having to think too much about it or explain it in some analytical terms like how “the polyrhythms of the guitars and drums make up for a very engaging listen”. It’s just damn good. Give it a try.
http://www.myspace.com/pomegranatesart

Pomegranates – Everybody, Come Outside!

Pomegranates – Corriander

2. Julie Doiron “I Can Wonder What You Did With Your Day”

This gentle album has the tendency to rear out and roar like a lion at times. But never in all it’s varying forms of aural dominance does it ever lose grace. It is compelling but still allows room to be a companion to daily activity. The kind of album to listen to cuddling with a friend, driving in a car, and perhaps while cooking dinner. I think that’s what particularly sets this album apart. Is that it’s good enough to listen to straight through without anything else needed to captivate your attention, but it isn’t too aggressive to interrupt conversation. It’s like a great pet. Like a cat. Named Baby. Or Julie Doiron.
http://www.myspace.com/juliedoiron

3. Deer Tick “Born on Flag Day”
Deer Tick’s second album is obviously developed in a new direction due to the collaborative effort of the band all writing and playing together. It plays more like a rock band’s album than a singer-songwriter’s solo project. One can expect to be delighted by the overall energy of the album and it’s presentation. Although it is straightforward, simple, and even anachronistic, it is outright enjoyable. It’s fucking rock and roll man. What else are you gonna listen to? Emo? Grow up.
http://www.deertickmusic.com/

4. Lightning Dust “Infinite Light”
There’s something about this album that is outright enchanting. The way Amber Webber’s voice quavers plaintively over the gothic accompaniment is absolutely delightful. It’s transportability as an physical album is somewhat metaphoric for it’s musical ability to take you to another place entirely. And if Stevie Nicks was considered a witch during her career then I think Amber Webber is either her child or her counterpart. Maybe we should worship her appropriately, I do, and it’s great.
http://www.lightningdust.com/

5. Will Sartain “For Love”
This album doesn’t have too many “single-worthy” tracks, there aren’t any “hits”. The structure of each song is actually quite tedious on its own, alone. But put together I think that as an album, this is the album most worthy of being called the best construction of one united piece of art. And apparently, it was written for love, and I don’t believe it could be written for anything else. Because Will Sartain put out this album for free, and the absolute sincerity and sharing of one’s soul is enough to endorse hugging a stranger. And I do. But I wouldn’t if I hadn’t heard this album. This album gets my vote for being the most life-changing.
http://www.myspace.com/willsartain

6. Vetiver “Tight Knit”
There are a lot of bands that I think all sound similar right now. I won’t name any names or point ay fingers, but in terms of all the catchy folk music acts going around the musical circuit I think Vetiver is my favorite. That’s about all I got to say. You know what I’m talking about.
http://www.vetiverse.com/

7. An Horse “Rearrange Beds”
An Horse is made of Kate Cooper and Damon Cox and they are two people writing songs. Kate Cooper sings kind of funny sometimes when she enunciates words but no one can deny the fact that she and Damon write really amazing songs. If there is a complaint I could have I would say that all the songs sound the same. But that didn’t really stop the Strokes very much and I don’t think it stops An Horse either. When you write one good song over and over again you can’t really go wrong much. Can you? Plus they kind of rock. (For reference, see the Deer Tick review)
http://www.anhorse.com/

8. BOAT “Setting the Paces”
BOAT is a band that writes really catchy rock songs and then seems to have a lot of fun when they play them. This might be deterring to some people and to be honest on my first listen of the album I thought it was semi-marginal but it’s definitely grown on me throughout the year. It’s pretty simple, straightforward rocking out from some seemingly weird guys, and all of that combined is consequently pretty awesome
http://www.myspace.com/boatmusic

9. The Awful Truth “Object Permanence”
This album came from the recommendation from a friend, there was no publicist and no one shoving music down my throat telling me it’s awesome. That definitely helps anyone when they are introduced to new music, I think. Plus it’s really refreshing to come across a record that seems like someone’s first efforts to make an album. It doesn’t feel contrived or planned out, just honest. It’s not really that accessible in terms of vocal delivery and I tend to like hearing someone more unqualified for American Idol trying their hand at song writing. It makes me feel like it’s sincere and real, not some performance. And that’s what I love about this album. How sincere it feels. (For reference, see the Will Sartain review)
http://www.myspace.com/theawfultruthmusic

10. Cursive “Mama, I’m Swollen”
I think this is the best album Cursive has put out since the Ugly Organ and is on the same level as the Ugly Organ. For those of you who never liked Cursive don’t bother. For those of you that did, and are too hip to like bands you liked six years ago then I think you’re lame for being so pretentious. For those of you that loved the Ugly Organ and continue to listen to music simply because you like it, I think it’s safe to say you will like this album. So enjoy.
http://www.cursivearmy.com/