An observation: I think if Erlend Oye were a type of fabric, he’d be a smooth vinyl suede.

After all, the Norwegian crooner has made his career out of experimenting with various combinations of the synthetic and the smooth. The latest of these efforts is Rules, the second release from The Whitest Boy Alive, due out on Bubbles in March. The Berlin-based group’s 2007 debut, Dreams, was about as close as dance-rock can come to producing a concept album; the stripped-down guitar/bass/drums/vocals galvanized by spare, funky rhythmic consistency made for an album as danceable as it is listenable.

This sophomore release resists the temptation to rehash the formula and instead elaborates on that signature sound by way of more ambitious compositions and an expanded sound palette. Rules sacrifices some of what made Dreams such a standout, mostly in terms of restraint. Oye’s smooth but angular guitar phrasing is still insistently there, as are his haunting, ever-so-slightly-flat vocals, but they are augmented by a smattering of vintage synthesizers, fuzzy basslines, and lots of adrenaline-inducing dynamic shifts in the drumming. The songs are still irresistibly catchy and the lyrics wry as always, but nevertheless Rules comes off as less of a carefully-edited statement and more of an enthusiastic exploration of the possibilities of rebuilding on a solid minimal framework.

The Whitest Boy Alive – Island

_{You can purchase The Whitest Boy Alive – Rules by clicking here.}

She’s the star of the new web-based series from MTV and director Craig Brewer entitled Five Dollar Cover. She can “triple-slap the upright bass like Willie Dixon on Steroids” (according to Jim Dickinson). She can sing like a siren. She’s been on tour the world around, playing packed-out shows at places like the Royal Albert Hall. And tonight, Memphis-based upright bass player, vocalist and film engeneue Amy LaVere, will be the musical guest on Late Night with Conan O’Brien tonight, Monday night (Feb. 2).

According to the Archer Records website, this will mark Amy’s late night debut here in the US, having just played in the UK on Later…with Jools Holland a few months ago. Be sure to tune in tonight. If you live in Memphis, join me and the nice folks from Archer Records at the Hi-Tone Cafe on Poplar for a viewing party.

To tide you over, enjoy this video of Amy performing her song “Killing Him” from the lastest Sun Studio Sessions. It’s recommended that you watch it in HQ (you can choose HQ from the player and you’ll be glad you did).

photo credit: dongraft

I’ve been bragging about the new Oasis album Dig Out Your Soul ever since it leaked & I’m not one for needless banter about bands that over-hype and under-deliver. Oasis hit this one out of the park. Don’t believe me? Click here to visit them on MySpace and find out for yourself. Win, win, win. Dig Out Your Soul is without a doubt the most well-crafted Oasis album in over a decade & now you can see what I mean for yourself.

Head over to Fluxblog and check out the song “Friends” from Ween’s new EP. Then, go buy the thing from Chocodog records.

Friday’s events wrapped up with shows from Aesop Rock, El-P, and DJ Shadow. Aesop brought Rob Sonic on stage as a backup MC, and the duo worked out pretty well. Aesop was stellar as always, and Sonic’s vocals added a nice twist to the out-of-this-world lyrics that one can expect from Aesop Rock.

Although I haven’t been a huge fan of some of El-P’s previous works, his live show really gave me a new appreciation for this underrated rapper. His lyrics were consistently on the mark, and on time. And not only that, but his beats were all performed by the very talented Mr. Dibbs.

And last but certainly not least, DJ Shadow closed down the night with a pretty excellent set. When Shadow performed solo on stage, he was so flawless you’d almost not think it was live. EJ and I agreed however, that when he brought Lateef the Truthspeaker on stage, the show just got annoying. Lateef tends to ask for a bit too much crowd input, when really, the show should be about the performers. “I can’t hear you! I can’t hear you!” You know why? Cuz we already left and are back at camp asleep.

One thing anyone who has been to the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival can tell you is this: it’s hot (no, not like Paris Hilton saying that something is hot, physically hot like a grilled cheese sammich that is still grillin’). Desperate circumstances call for desperate measures, and when you’ve gotta cool down you’ve gotta go for frozen water cubes. That’s right: it’s Reddy-Ice Time. This guy’s choice to strip right down to shorts and hang the Reddy-Ice bag over his head shows a sense of style and fashion that is also affordable. Of course, be prepared: a single bag of Reddy-Ice at Bonnaroo will set you back $3.50. But hey! That’s the price you’ve gotta pay for keeping it cool in the dreaded summer heat.

Leslie Feist is everything I want in a performer and nothing I don’t – she is a risk taker, she is passionate, beautiful, constantly crosses boundaries of musical landscapes with a mere wave of her hands. She is one of my favorite Canadian exports in music, and I’m obviously not alone. Evidenced by the packed-to-the-tent-stakes crowd at her Bonnaroo 2007 show, I’m not the only one impressed by her body of work. Her third album, The Reminder is another cornerstone in her growing legacy. The songs from Reminder were sprinkled delicately throughout her set, playfully moody and inviting from the first strum to the last hum. If you’ve never heard Feist, now would be a good time to quit lollygagging and get to it.

MP3: Feist – 1 2 3 4

You can purchase Feist’s The Reminder from Amazon by clicking here.

Check out my Flickr Photostream For More Flaming Lips Pictures

When you’re dead tired and it’s a 1.2 mile hike back to your camping area, sometimes you just gotta lay your head down wherever you are and catch some z’s. At Bonnaroo, you can do it.