A Little Pant and a Sweat: Lookin' forward to Louis XIV

One of the first big shows of the year for us here at ThaBombShelter is almost upon us, Louis XIV/Hot Hot Heat/Editors at the Newport on Wednesday. Emily and I are totally missing the Cube Farm Bowling League (Our team is called "The Achievers") so that we can take in what is sure to be a raunchy, fun, hot, and sweaty (hopefully) night of rock and roll. Louis XIV has always been near the top of my "Fun Artists" list. I mean, I've always been a fan of slightly dirty, sideways sluttiness in my music, and when you add in some awesome strings and fake British accents, I'm totally sold. I was surprised to find out this band was from San Diego - about as surprised as Emily was to find out the Decemberists were from Portland. Regardless of where they're from, they've got a wicked sneer permanently affixed to their upper lip, but without that kind of condescending glare that I imagine bands like The Arctic Monkeys have. Louis XIV are just like Matthew McConaughey in Dazed and Confused, the perfect embodiment of that classic line, "That's what I love about these high school girls, man. I get older, they stay the same age." Just sleezeball and slimy and hilarious.

They've got a new album coming out on the 29th (which is shaping up to be a great day for releases), called "Slick Dogs and Ponies", sure to be another collection of heavily innuendo-d tunes with snide comments and AC/DC attitude. The latest song from the album (at least the latest song that you can download), is the frenetic PSA, "Guilt By Association". When taken in the same context as "The Best Little Secrets are Kept", the song is a logical progression, while not straying too far from the successful formula. The strings are sinister and used in moderation, the chorus is suitably chantable, and when Jason Hill squeezes out the lyrics, you're pretty much obligated to sit up and pay attention.

Check back on Thursday or Friday night for a full write-up of the show. I'd say Thursday for sure, but I'm most likely going to be at another show, this time a coffeeshop show for my friend Seth Pfannenschmidt (The Mean Bean in Worthington, if you're in the area. I think the show gets started around 8-9PM).

"Guilt By Association" Louis XIV
***BONUS MP3s***
"Illegal Tender" Louis XIV
"Pledge of Allegiance" Louis XIV

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