My thoughts on all the bands I saw during the 2008 CMJ Marathon.

Monday, 10/20
Syndicate party at Rebel
Margot & The Nuclear So & Sos - Enjoy the music, but doesn’t keep my interest live
Rival School - Had heard good things about them, but didn’t love them. Might’ve been the sound since the venue doesn’t normally have musicians performing there.
…And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead - Really like the music until the lead singer sings. Only saw a few songs so might’ve felt differently if I saw the whole performance.

Tuesday, 10/21
Tim Williams @ Rehab - Pretty music
Mason Proper @ Rehab - I like their sound a lot (feelingy/eerie-type music), really enjoyed the performance and will definitely see them again. One song reminds me a little of Death Cab.
Amazing Baby @ The Annex - Had heard some buzz about them from friends so decided to check them out…and also the fact that they’re touring with MGMT who I LOVE…but didn’t love them (not enough catchy hooks, etc.). They had a couple songs I liked (The Narwhal) but didn’t really connect with any of the other songs. And I couldn’t stop paying attention to the fact that the lead singer was in love with himself and kept trying to mess up his hair to look like the perfect hipster. I’d give them another chance since sometimes it takes me a little time to warm up to a band.
Stereogum Party @ The Studio at Webster Hall -
Gang Gang Dance - They’re awesome, love the unique sounds and the lead singers voice adds to it. Saw them at Across the Narrows a few years ago and have been wanting to see them again ever since.
Ponytail - Fun, dancey music, reminds me of The Go! Team, never seen someone smile as much as the lead singer smiled during the performance.
Marnie Stern - LOVE LOVE LOVE her. Her guitar skills and her drummer’s drumming skils are insane. But I think her last CD shows off her guitar skills much better live.
Crystal Stilts - one of my fave performances of the week (except for the fact that it was 4:30 am!). Reminds me of Joy Division, which is one of my fave bands. Band was making jokes with the audience and seemed really cool.

Wednesday, 10/22
Howlies @ Canal Room - LOVE them. All of their songs have a unique/different sound (very catchy!), and all of them make you want to bop your head or rock out.
As Tall As Lions @ Canal Room - Enjoyed their performance, very Sting-esque (Can that still be a compliment?).

Thursday, 10/23
Tobacco @ The Fader Fort - Really liked the sound, reminded me of Ratatat. Don’t know if it could hold my interest for a full live show, though.
White Lies @ Ben Sherman Store - Really liked them and would def see them again. Sounds a lot like Echo & The Bunnymen.
Passion Pit @ The Annex - Fun music. The performance started out a little weak but got progressively better. I would check them out again.
Howlies @ Death By Audio - Really killed it. I feel like the audiences at the DIY venues are much harder to please, and everyone in the room seemed to be into their music.

Friday, 10/24
Cotton Jones @ Piano’s - Decent live but not my type of music. One song sounded almost Doors-ish on their MySpace page, so I thought I’d enjoy them live but was too country for me
One Trick Pony @ Sidewalk Cafe - I really liked their music (indie folk rock) and love the lead singer’s voice. will definitely see them again.
The Ettes @ Arlene’s Grocery - Fun garage rock. I liked them

Saturday, 10/25
Bang Bang Eche @ 205 Club - Dance punk craziness! Fast, catchy beats and fun to watch live. The lead singer jumped from the stage onto the bar, thought he was going to fall on his head or someone else’s.
Holy Hail @ Public Assembly - Simple, fun beats, liked them more the first time I saw them at Europa (or maybe I like their older stuff better) but still enjoyed their show. Lead singer is adorable.
Battle Circus @ Knitting Factory - Only saw a couple songs, but they sound like Muse (which is never a bad thing). Want to check them out next time they’re in town.
Marnie Stern @ Bowery Ballroom - Same as the set at the Stereogum party. Loved it.
Vivian Girls @ Bowery Ballroom - Have been hearing about them nonstop and know that they’ve played numerous shows in NY, so was excited to see them. They had catchy/quick songs, and I liked them.
Crystal Antlers @ Bowery Ballroom - They didn’t blow me away, but I think I need more time for the band to grow on me. They were even more screamy/loud than I expected (after listening to their MySpace page). A Thousand Eyes is an incredible song!
A Place To Bury Strangers @ Bowery Ballroom - I can’t get enough of them, so dark, so good, love. I see them every time they come to NY.

And I really wanted to see Johnny Foreigner, Salt & Samovar and The Dutchess & The Duke but kept missing all of their performances.

Sunday, 10/26
Slept entire day.