Cajun Tomato’s Favorite Albums of 2011 (Pt. 1)

December 21, 2011 By 2 Comments

Danny Brown

I am sitting in a coffeeshop where a trio of aspiring filmmakers seated at a table behind me are discussing how they will depict a rape scene for their short film. This is the backdrop I have for writing the first part of my favorite albums list. It is time to put earbuds in and drown out the rape talk. Sickos!

Per the year in music: I think the 2011 was great for individual songs; for albums it left me wanting a little bit. However, there were some great new artists who made major statements — some of whom will appear on this list. How’s that for cryptic?

Below is Part One of my favorite albums of 2011 list. Part Two should be up Thursday at some point. PS: If you are interested what my favorite albums were at the year’s midpoint click here.

I also encourage you to read up on my favorite albums of 2009 and 2010.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Dig This Tomato, Yo!, Kanye West, Music Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

PHOTOS: GIVERS @ Doug Fir in Portland

September 12, 2011 By 2 Comments

Tif Lamson and Taylor Guarisco

Louisiana pop quintet GIVERS brightened up Portland for the second time in four months Friday night at Doug Fir Lounge as part of MusicFest Northwest 2011.

The band spiced up this set with a Talking Heads medley, an extended guest turn from a rap performer named Tiny from their native state, and a Tif Lamson acoustic solo necessitated by problems with Kirby Campbell’s drum kit. Also noteworthy about the band’s set: They did not play first single and live staple “Up Up Up.”

That last development likely resulted from a longer than planned performance from guest rapper Tiny, who raced through five or six lengthy verses. Lamson and co-lead vocalist Taylor Guarisco also spit verses, to acclaim from the crowd. After the band finished finale “Words”, there was no time left for an encore.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Concert Reviews, Music, Portland Tagged With: , , , ,

ON BLAST: In Light by GIVERS

June 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

NOTE: I am renewing my periodic “ON BLAST” series tonight to write about my current obsession, GIVERS, a pop quintet from Lafayette, La. In previous “ON BLAST” installments I wrote about Twin Shadow and Frank Ocean.

In Light by GIVERS

GIVERS make me proud to be from Louisiana. It’s a cheesy statement, I know, but it’s true. I feel the same way about the infectious pop outfit that others feel about the New Orleans Saints.

Part of the reason I have such a band crush on GIVERS and their current album, In Light, is because growing up in south Louisiana there were no young indie bands like them. Local music was limited to jazz, blues, Cajun, zydeco and a few so-so pop-rock bands (i.e., Better Than Ezra, Cowboy Mouth).

It’s gratifying then to see GIVERS achieving a succession of firsts in the past weeks — the release of their first album, their first network TV performance, their first music video, etc. In addition, MTV.com has named GIVERS its band of the week.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Live Music, Music, Portland, Thibodaux Tagged With: , , , ,