After watching the Jayhawks squeak past Davidson yesterday, I rushed to Milwaukee to catch Explosions in the Sky (lovingly referred to as “EITS”) play the Pabst. I got settled in just in time to see the excellent opener, Lichens.

Lichens is Rob Lowe. He layed down a twittering of bird sounds over a deep bass that continued through the twenty minute song/set. On top he layered riffs and wordless vocals. At times, the rhythm and harmony sounded faintly middle eastern, but as a whole, the experience was unclassifiable.

EITS took that stage and opened quietly, which I respect. They could have walked out and torn up the stage straight away, but they decided to approach things more delicately. For the next hour and a half, they swung between raucous and calm, anthemic and utterly solitary. And no one knows better the value of a hard stop. They create a single melody and then rip it, turn it, tear it apart and squeeze every last drop of juice from it. At times, they played while sitting on the stage, hopping up when they hit the big riffs.

Their music is deeply personal, for them and for the audience. Yet no matter how introspective their music is, it’s clear that the true experience is about the balance between the band and the crowd. They closed by swinging the stage lights out over the audience, as if to say, “you’re in this too.”

Leave us a comment and let us know what you thought of the show.

Photo: Austinist
++
Myspace: Explosions in the Sky
MP3: Explosions In The Sky – “Welcome, Ghosts”
MP3: Explosions In The Sky – “Your Hand In Mine”

Find MP3’s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic

(travis)

His second night through Wisconsin, Jens Lekman played easily the most beautiful set I’ve seen on a Madison stage in quite a while. The near capacity crowd was treated to a truly special night, and those patient enough to wait around after the show were rewarded with an impromptu 4-song encore performance (playing only requests) by a solo Jens Lekman to about 15 faithful friends and fans.

Madison native Marla Hansen (our interview here), now a full-fledged touring violinist for Jens’ band was warmly welcomed and definitely brought a wonderful element to her hometown crowd.

Proving to be more than just a musical performance Jens sprinkled whit, dry humor, and lots of laughs into his songs and between song banter. It’s no surprise seeing that he spent a good amount of time at SXSW taking in comedy sets. Listening to his catalog over the past couple days I’d forgotten the good amount of imagery and humor throughout his songs, he rarely misses an opportunity to point out interesting and humorous details.

In a night filled with highlights, my personal favorites were “Black Cab,” “Maple Leaves,” “The Opposite of Hallelujah,” and “A Postcard to Nina” (featuring the entire back story behind the song about his whirlwind trek to Berlin and his fake engagement). The crowd finally broke from their seats during the encore performance of “A Sweet Summer’s Night on Hammer Hill,” utilizing the dance space in front of the stage.

Thanks to everyone who made both the Milwaukee and Madison shows. I hope you had as great a time as we did, and we were truly honored to have had the opportunity to present Jens both nights! Leave us a comment and let us know what you thought of the show. We’ve got some special stuff coming in the days ahead from this performance, so stay tuned.

Photo: Daniel Brielmaier
MoB: From The Crowd | Jens Lekman
++
MP3: Jens Lekman – ” The Opposite of Hallelujah”
MP3: Jens Lekman – “Friday Night at the Drive-In Bingo”

Find MP3′s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic

From The Crowd shares some our favorite past concert moments captured in video (albeit sometimes shakey and out of focus). Unlike some of our other scheduled features, these videos will be posted sporadically. Chances are you may have been in the audience, if so, please feel free to leave your remembrances in the comments.

Beautiful comes far short of describing how beautiful Lewis & Clarke’s set at The Annex was over the weekend. Though painfully under attended, the band’s set consisted of their dreamy and uplifting tunes, culminating in a staggering 8 minute plus finale of “Before It Breaks You.” It’s a moment and show I won’t soon forget.

Lewis & Clarke – “Before It Breaks You”

MoB: 5 Questions with Lewis & Clarke
++
Myspace: Lewis & Clarke
MP3: Lewis & Clarke – “Before It Breaks You”

Find more MP3′s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic

+++++

Previously: From The Crowd | Justin Townes Earle “Who Am I To Say”
Previously: From The Crowd | Jens Lekman – “The Opposite of Hallelujah”
Previously: From The Crowd | Mark Olson – “Blue”
Previously: From The Crowd | Bon Iver – “Skinny Love”
Previously: From The Crowd | The Whigs – “Get Off Of My Cloud”
Previously: From The Crowd | The National “Baby, We’ll Be Fine!”
Previously: From The Crowd | The Hold Steady “Chips Ahoy!”

Here are the Wisconsin and Chicago shows we recommend you take in this week. Check them out below and let us know which ones you’ll be attending or ones you think should really make our list.

Upcoming Wisconsin Shows:

3/31 – Phosphorescent – The Project Lodge, Madison
4/2 – Evangelicals/Headlights – High Noon Saloon, Madison
4/3 – Cursive – Club 770, Madison
4/4 – Vampire Weekend/YACHT – High Noon Saloon, Madison
4/5 – Vampire Weekend/YACHT – Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee
4/5 – Why?/Marty Finkel – Cafe Montmartre, Madison
4/5 – Tift Merritt/The Everybodyfields – High Noon Saloon
4/5 – Evangelicals/Headlights – C-Haus, Beloit

MoB Ticket Giveaway: We have two (2) tickets to give away for the each of the following shows: Cursive, Why?/Marty Finkel and Tift Merritt/The Everybodyfields.

To enter, please send an e-mail to muzzleofbees.com @ gmail.com letting us know which show you would like to attend, and please specify what show in the subject of your e-mail. We will notify the winners by e-mail before each show.

Upcoming Chicago Shows:

3/31/08 – Matt Pond PA – Double Door
3/31/08 – Brother Ali – Abbey Pub
3/31/08 – Jens Lekman/Marla Hansen/The Honeydrips – Logan Square Auditorium
4/01/08 – Morcheeba – Park West
4/01/08 – The Felice Brothers/Justin Townes Earle/McCarthy Trenching – Schubas
4/01/08 – Kaki King – Empty Bottle
4/02/08 – Born Ruffians/Cadence Weapon – Empty Bottle
4/03/08 – Why?/ Flowers Forever – Abbey Pub
4/04/08 – Nada Surf – Metro / Smart Bar
4/04/08 – Tift Merritt/The Everybodyfields – Schubas Tavern
4/04/08 – Spoon/The Walkmen/White RAbbits – Vic Theatre
4/05/08 – Kathleen Edwards – Metro / Smart Bar
4/05/08 – Vampire Weekend – Metro / Smart Bar
4/06/08 – Vampire Weekend – Metro / Smart Bar
4/06/08 – Eels – Park West
4/06/08 – Blitzen Trapper/Fleet Foxes – Schubas Tavern

+Bookmark our Wisconsin and Chicago shows pages for all your concert announcements+

From The Crowd shares some our favorite past concert moments captured in video (albeit sometimes shakey and out of focus). Unlike some of our other scheduled features, these videos will be posted sporadically. Chances are you may have been in the audience, if so, please feel free to leave your remembrances in the comments.

The Good Life has been one of my favorite records of 2008. It’s a throwback to old school country/rockabilly that seamlessly blends across generations. Justin Townes Earle is rejuvenating “hillbilly music” (his words). I chased him all around Austin during SXSW, just missing each of his performances. So, despite being ultra jet lagged, we drug ourselves over the the Rathskeller to check out his set sandwiched between McCarthy Trenching and The Felice Brothers. His set reminded me of times spent watching the Grand Ole Opry on my grandparents couch many years ago as cowboys and cowgirls sang their stories so captivating the room fell silent aside from the sound of a tapping boot or shoe.

Justin Townes Earle – “Who Am I To Say” (Live from UW Rathskeller):

Since his songs are fresh on my mind, check out this beautifully shot and sounding video of “South Georgia Sugar Babe.”

Myspace: Justin Townes Earle
MP3: Justin Townes Earle -”Ain’t Glad I’m Leavin’”

Find more MP3′s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic

+++++

Previously: From The Crowd | Jens Lekman – “The Opposite of Hallelujah”
Previously: From The Crowd | Mark Olson – “Blue”
Previously: From The Crowd | Bon Iver – “Skinny Love”
Previously: From The Crowd | The Whigs – “Get Off Of My Cloud”
Previously: From The Crowd | The National “Baby, We’ll Be Fine!”
Previously: From The Crowd | The Hold Steady “Chips Ahoy!”

Show of the year Milwaukee? From all accounts last night’s Jens Lekman show at the Pabst Theater was a night to remember. MoB contributor Daniel Brielmaier was on hand with his trusty lens to capture some of the magic. In his words:

“Possibly the most beautiful and joyous show of the year. I’m sure tonight’s show in Madison will be just as great so enjoy. He played for a little over an hour, but it was all diamonds. His voice sounded incredible @ The Pabst.”

Timedoor: Concert Review: Jens Lekman at the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee

Jens Lekman plays tonight at Music Hall on the University of Wisconsin campus. Tickets are limited, but still available. Show up early, as you don’t want to miss The Honeydrips.

Jens Lekman’s entire set from the NPR party at SXSW is now up on the NPR website for your listening enjoyment. Check it out here.

Photos: Daniel Brielmaier
MoB: From The Crowd | Jens Lekman
++
MP3: Jens Lekman – ” The Opposite of Hallelujah”
MP3: Jens Lekman – “Friday Night at the Drive-In Bingo”

Find MP3′s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic