popwreckoning updates

Posted: 17 Jan 2009 11:45 AM CST

This spring, Brit imports The Ting Tings, who have already taken our fair nation by storm, are set to headline a national tour, making their way from New York City to San Francisco. The duo of Katie White and Jules De Martino is a tour de force of energy, sexiness and fun, especially during their live show.

The Ting Tings are slated to release their next US single, "That's Not My Name", this January with a video to follow for February premiere. Perhaps their catchiest song yet, "That's Not My Name" is a high-energy song that the pair performed for NBC’s New Year’s Eve Special and it will appear on the CW’s “90210″ revival on Tuesday, January 20th. The Ting Tings have also have music appear on “Gossip Girl”, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and in American Teen.

Tour Dates:
Mar 16 - Webster Hall / New York City
Mar 18 - Paradise Rock Club / Boston
Mar 19 - First Unitarian Church Sanctuary / Philadelphia
Mar 20 - 9:30 Club / Washington DC
Mar 21 - Cat's Cradle / Carrboro, NC
Mar 23 - NorVa / Norfolk, Va.
Mar 24 - Canal Club / Richmond, Va.
Mar 26 - Jack Rabbits / Jacksonville
Mar 27 - Ultrafest / Miami
Mar 28 - The Social / Orlando
Mar 29 - Orpheum / Tampa
Mar 31 - Club Downunder / Tallahassee, FL
Apr 02 - WorkPlay Theatre / Birmingham, Al.
Apr 03 - Blueberry Hill / St. Louis
Apr 05 - Metro / Chicage
Apr 06 - Varsity Theater / Minneapolis
Apr 07 - Record Bar / Kansas City
Apr 08 - Bluebird Theater / Denver
Apr 09 - Urban Lounge / Salt Lake City
Apr 11 - Commodore Ballroom / Vancouver
Apr 12 - Crocodile Cafe / Seattle
Apr 13 - Douglas Fir Lounge / Portland
Apr 15 - The Fillmore / San Francisco

The Ting Tings: website | myspace | @ johnny brenda's

We Started Nothing
Price: USD 8.99
66 used & new available from USD 6.40

July 25, 2008 — Pattern Is Movement, The Ting Tings @ Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia (0)
July 25, 2008 — Pattern Is Movement, The Ting Tings @ Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia (2)
August 4, 2008 — Lollapalooza @ Grant Park, Chicago (3)
January 5, 2009 — Ting Tings Contest Winner (0)
December 18, 2008 — Win The Ting Tings “We Started Nothing” on Vinyl, Signed Drumhead & Snipes (5)
August 15, 2008 — The Ting Tings Nominated for VMA ‘Video of the Year’ (0)
January 15, 2009 — M83 to Perform on ‘Conan’, Tour with The Killers (0)
January 13, 2009 — Caught In Motion - On The Edge Of A Dream (0)
January 13, 2009 — Cursive Tour Dates (0)
January 12, 2009 — The Whigs Tour, Pen New Album (0)

Auburn - Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth

Posted: 17 Jan 2009 10:15 AM CST

Metalcore is not for all people, myself included. However, I respect what Underoath did with their niche of Christian hardcore, so it was with the hope that I could find in Massachusetts five-piece Auburn the same nuggets of goodness I can find in Underoath. However, Auburn’s Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth has some room to grow before it can attain Underoath’s status.

Let’s start with the positives. First, the guys are great at transitioning. “Like Trying to Kiss a Freight Train” seamlessly moves into “Wise Guys”. Second, there is plenty of energy behind these songs. Undoubtedly, lovers of all things mosh will have a blast at their shows. Third, on stand out track “Like Trying to Kiss a Freight Train”, there’s cowbell.

The problem with Auburn is that they are very formulaic. The predictably alternate from screaming to a moment of clear vocals. For the most part the instrumental patterns are predictable as well. Lyrically, they often repeat the same phrase about “walking with the Devil“ or “dancing with the Devil.” They seem to lack a direction in their lyrics, which is evident in some of their confused imagery. In the song “Barn Burner” they refer to “ships going down in flames,” which might have been a better image had the song been titled “Boat Burner”.

If you’re looking for a good mosh, check these guys out, but it might be worth skipping out on Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth until these guys get a little more grounded in their musical direction.

Basic Instructions is available now.

Tracklisting:
01. Waking Snakes
02. Barn Burner
03. Like Trying To Kiss A Freight Train
04. Wise Guys
05. Party Song

Auburn: myspace