Shake Some Action review

I had been struggling with what to do about the Shake Some Action record that is officially being released tomorrow (Saturday, 12/23) at Imaginary Liz's birthday party at the Crocodile. I'm conflicted... literally.

I had nothing to do with the recording of the album. So, from that perspective I can listen to it as an a regular listener and appreciate the fact that it is simply a great powerpop album, and likely one of the best to be released in 2006 (although releasing it a week before New Year's Day doesn't give much opportunity for one to appear on the usual "best of" lists).

At the same time, I play in the live band version of Shake Some Action. So, it's hard for me to be completely objective. Of course, the reason I'm playing in the live band version in the first place is I'm a fan of James' tunes. Songs like "Complicated" and "Someone Else's Friend" and "What You Want Me To Do" just rock my world in a Hoodoo Gurus, The La's, You Am I kind of way.

But, now thanks to Erik Gonzalez, I don't have to worry about writing a review. Why, you ask? Because Erik has written a great review that pretty much summarizes my own feelings on the subject over at the Three Imaginary Girls site.

Absolute Powerpop's Top 100 list

Steve over at the Absolute Powerpop blog has posted his Top 100 powerpop records of the year.

A few Seattle folks are on the list:

The Minus 5 hits first at 57
Central Services checks in at 70
Barcelona at 73
Jon Auer lands at 79

I posted a comment that I can't imagine any Top 100 powerpop list of 2006 that doesn't include The Doll Test's record, which is just great! I would include The Long Winters, as well (although I could see them not being there, since they're not as obviously in the powerpop genre).

Shows for week of 12/11

Here are some cool pop shows for this week.

Monday, 12/11
Jonathan Richman at the Tractor Tavern

Tuesday, 12/12
Dressy Bessy, Bedroom Walls, and Model Photographer at Chop Suey

Wednesday, 12/13
Central Services, Jon Auer, Collapsichord at the Crocodile

Thursday, 12/14
Northwest Harvest benefit featuring The Lashes, Romance, The Girls and The Prids at the Funhouse

Friday, 12/15
Lund Bros, Bre Loughlin, Aaron Samuels and Ian Jones at the Skylark Cafe

Saturday, 12/16
Speaker Speaker, Boat, Shorthand for Epic, Patience Please and Ghosts & Liars at the last Paradox show ever. A veritable whose who of young hip rock peeps.

The Clash's London Calling cover night at The Sunset Tavern, which features another veritable whose who of other young hip rock peeps!! Bands and members from bands including Sgt. Major, The Tripwires, The Small Change, Llama, The Cops, and many more.