As much as I absolutely loathe creating ridiculous top ten music lists (there – I said it), Grizzly Bear made it to my year-end round of praises last year with the tremendous and rather climactic Shields. I’d become a fan after soaking up Yellow House (2006) and Veckatimest (2009), but Shields sealed the deal. Bottom line. A no-brainer for my 2012 top-ten hoo-dee-ha.
That being said, if your humble Austin Music Minute maven wasn’t on the air tonight, I’d be with fellow fans enjoying Grizzly Bear’s show tonight at Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater, 801 Red River. Composer and violinist Owen Pallett will open the show. But whoa there, young rider. When the big gig is over, you need to stick around for the after-show, 10 p.m. on Stubb’s inside stage. Yes, I’m here to brag about two of my favorite local bands. This will make your night complete:
– They take their cues from influences like The Jam and Jawbreaker, but I simply could not resist the nod to Françoise Hardy. Presenting indie pop-rock bliss with sextet The Sour Notes.
– It’s electro dream-pop achieving a perfect straddle between upbeat, synth-based dance grooves and dark, moody undercurrents. Letting Up Despite Great Faults are masters of atmospheric indie.
Double-plus good. Recommended.
