When do you stop calling a reunion tour a reunion tour? Maybe when the band comes through town for the second time in less than a year and the whole “only chance this lifetime” angle is no longer quite so compelling, or maybe when half the players have been replaced? If so, then last night’s Wedding Present gig wouldn’t qualify as a reunion show, just a really damn good one.

Since they were in town last April, the lineup has changed with the addition of a new drummer and longtime Gedge cohort Simon Cleave stepping aside for this tour. Since the roster of both The Wedding Present and Cinerama had been fairly fluid through the years, this wasn’t an especially big deal – both replacements were well up to the task and bassist Terry De Castro was still along for the ride to add her backing vocals to the mix. Perhaps because they didn’t necessarily feel like they were promoting 2005’s excellent Take Fountain, the setlist covered a much broader range of material than last time. Every album from the Wedding Present’s catalog was accounted for, including both Hit Parade collections and even a couple of Cinerama tunes. It’s interesting to see how things have turned around – it used to be that the audience would cheer when Cinerama would play Wedding Present tunes, now there’s a portion of the audience that’s thrilled when something from Cinerama gets an airing. Personally, I loved Cinerama just as much as the Wedding Present (and actually got into them first), so any nods to their material is alright with me.

The band powered through the set with efficiciency and aplomb, fitting 21 songs into about an hour twenty. Gedge, charming and self-effacing, took the time to remind the crowd that the band never played encores or requests, not that that stopped the audience from shouting them out at every given opportunity anyway. Lee’s Palace was damn near full on this night, an encouraging sign that the fans are remaining faithful and weren’t just sucked in last time by the reunion gimmick. As long as Gedge’s furious right hand doesn’t let up anytime soon, we will be there.

Opening things up on this night was one of my favourite new local acts, The Airfields. An excellent pick as openers, as their atmospheric jangle pop draws heavily on the spirit of C86 from which the Wedding Present also sprung forth. On this night they were celebrating the release of their new Laneways EP, which is a rather remarkable leap forward in sonics and songwriting from the shy, lo-fi bedroom pop of their City-State EP. Their live show, similarly, has made some significant strides – they’ve maintained their fragile charm while adding some muscle and teeth to their sound. At some points they got positively noisy, taking a page from the headliners’ book in discovering the merits of strumming your guitar really hard and fast. It would be nice if someone could step up to add backing vocals to David Lush’s whispery voice, some harmonies would really put things over the top, but even without they were doing pretty well. They still don’t quite have the presence or polish to really command a larger stage but judging from the enthusiastic response of the audience, the brass ring is there for them to reach out and take.

Photos from the gig here. And a consequence of the second go-around of touring is a second round of reunion-related interviews. Here’s a couple from The News & Observer and The Northwest Indiana Times.

Accompanying the Wedding Present on all dates on this tour except the Canadian ones are Brits Sally Crewe & The Sudden Moves. A new find, but their lean, swagger-y rock is immediately appealing. Hope someone brings em to town soon… Grok their MySpace and check out this song from their latest album Shortly After Take-Off.

MP3: Sally Crewe & The Sudden Moves – “Pane Of Glass”

Billboard talks to the director of the forthcoming Pixies reunion documentary loudQuietloud. He reveals that time has not healed all wounds between Pixies principals Frank Black and Kim Deal, but it seems that dollar bills make excellent bandages.

My Morning Jacket are working on a live DVD and double CD for release later this year. Billboard has details.

Now up in Wilco’s Roadcase – Jeff Tweedy’s February 25 solo show at the University of Chicago,

Synthesis.net discusses Ballad Of The Broken Seas with Isobel Campbell and Belle & Sebastian tell MTV they want people to dance.

Shows – Regina Spektor is at the Mod Club on April 24 and The Walkmen return to town for a show at the Phoenix on June 26 in support of their new album A Hundred Miles Off, out May 23. Presale here.

np – Jeff Tweedy / Live From Mandel Hall, University of Chicago

Sound On Sound, the recently released odds-and-sods compilation from Detroit’s Saturday Looks Good To Me is like a 30-song, 80-minute trip into the twisted pop psyche of SLGTM mastermind Fred Thomas consisting of tracks culled from the band’s plethora of limited edition 7″s, compilations, EPs and so forth. Fully-fleshed out pieces bump elbows with ultra lo-fi demos and song sketches, some sounding like they were committed to tape with maximum expediency, before inspiration fled. A goodly number of the tracks are built on drum machines and loops, adding a new dimension to SLGTM’s usual Motown/Spector homages. It’s also fun to compare and contrast vocalists, in particular the wide-eyed sweetness of Kelly Jean Caldwell’s voice circa All Your Summer Songs with the Every Night girl-group sass of the incomparable Betty Marie Barnes.

It may only be March, but Sound On Sound is like the best Summer mix tape you’re likely to hear this year, even the Christmas songs, at least until a better one comes out – and that might just well be the next Saturday Looks Good To Me full-length. But be warned – as Thomas tells The Hub, the new record, which is due in the Fall, will be a more polished departure from his earler works and feature – gasp – only his vocals. I guess we’ll see how that sounds when whatever incarnation of SLGTM he’s touring with hits SxSW next week. I had planned on basing much of my schedule around catching as many SLGTM shows as possible (there are four in three days but not on Saturday, ironically), but if there’s no BMB hottness in effect, I may be content with just their Wednesday night showcase at Emo’s.

You’d think that after compiling Sound On Sound the vaults would be empty, but not so – if you go to the band’s MySpace page, you can listen to and download two more rarities that didn’t make the album. Prolific? Yeah, just a little. Here are three songs from Sound On Sound for your listening pleasure.

MP3: Saturday Looks Good To Me – “Can’t Ever Sleep”
MP3: Saturday Looks Good To Me – “Lift Me Up”
MP3: Saturday Looks Good To Me – “Disaster”

And continuing today’s unofficial theme of Chromewaves celeb crushes, it appears that Ms Gemma Hayes, or more accurately her label, have decided that releasing The Roads Don’t Love You internationally is no longer a priority. There was supposed to be a May North American release, but I guess that’s been trumped. Thank goodness for CDWow. With this in mind, you can be damn sure I won’t be missing her SxSW showcase at Soho Lounge on March 17 at 10PM (St Patrick’s Day, natch). Finally, Prefix has a live video of Gemma performing “Undercover”, Contactmusic has an interview and there’s some more tracks, album and live/demos, at her MySpace page. And there’s a rumour floating about that she’s making a record with none other than Kevin Shields… best news ever? Maybe so.

Amy Millan of Stars’ debut solo album, Honey From The Tombs, will finally see the light of day on May 30 and Arts & Crafts are offering a preview – you can download “Skinny Boy” for free from the Arts & Crafts store. Via Just Keep Bloggin’, who also has the cigar lounge-approved cover art.

Sweden’s Concretes have a new album completed and a new video to go along with it. The first single from In Colour, out April 4, is “Chosen One” and you can see the vid below. The band sadly had to bail on their SxSW plans, but will still be hitting North America this Spring including a date at the Horseshoe on May 4, tickets $15.

Video: The Concretes – “Chosen One” (WMV)

For The Records reports that Billy Bragg will be doing an instore/autograph session at the HMV on Yonge St on Saturday before his show at the Opera House that night. I will be doing my bit and swinging by later today to find out exactly when Mr Bragg will be doing his PR duties – check back for an update this PM. In the meantime, Rolling Stone talks to Bragg about his new Volume 1 box set. Update: Sir William of Bragg will be at His Master’s Voice at 2PM.

Miss Neko Case on Leno last night? That’s why we have Prefix. And also in the realm of late night TV, Neil Young was on The Daily Show on Wednesday night. I had no idea. If you missed it, go torrent the March 8 episode. It’s great, and not just for Neil. WEIGHTLIFTING PANDA!

np – (The Sounds Of) Kaleidoscope / From Where You Were to How You Got There

It’s hard not to have some sort of pre-conceived notion of what to expect from a band with a name as goofy as Margot & The Nuclear So-And-So’s, but the reality of the band is almost certainly not what you might think. The Indianapolis-based outfit isn’t some rollicking whiskey joint house band (which was what my imagination supposed), but a rather elegant ensemble crafting lushly orchestrated slices of heart-in-teeth, rootsy but occasionally rocking indie-mope reminiscent of Matt Pond PA and Nada Surf.

Their debut album, The Dust Of Retreat, originally came out in 2005 but is being re-released by Artemis on March 28 with some remixing, remastering and re-recording. Though it occasionally skirts a little too close to the emo-folk end of things, the record is a wholly engaging listen both musically and lyrically and the band is remarkably tight and focused, especially for an eight-piece. The band are playing a slew of showcases at SxSW but their main one is at Nuno’s on March 16 at 8PM. They will also be in town on April 3 with South for a show at Lee’s Palace. Lots of MP3s from Musical Family Tree, including these two tracks from Dust Of retreat. And there’s also a MySpace page, natch.

MP3: Margot & The Nuclear So And So’s – “Skeleton Key”
MP3: Margot & The Nuclear So And So’s – “Barfight Revolution, Power Violence”

Harp advises you to forget everything you thought you knew about Calexico before picking up Garden Ruin when it’s released on April 11. Kevchino.com also has an interview with Joey Burns and Stereogum has some MP3s – one of their contribution to the John Fahey tribute album and one from the new record. The Garden Ruin track sounds amazing.

Mogwai’s Mr Beast hit stores Tuesday, and even after just a couple days I’m finding it a huge improvement over Happy Songs For Happy People. They’ve discovered the sinister sonic possibilities of the piano and seem to have found a perfect meeting place between noise and melody in which to reside – it’s great. They skipped Toronto over for their present March tour but will do us the honour of coming back to play the Phoenix on May 16. Even four years on from the last time I saw them, my ears still tremble at the thought of being exposed to Mogwai-scale volume, but I think I’m ready to give it another go. And Prefix has the video for “Friend Of The Night”.

Neko Case has finally made public her long-overdue new website, just in time for the release of Fox Confessor Brings The Flood, currently kicking ass at Metacritic and in my CD player. While the songs themselves are still sinking in, the sounds are rapturous. Her voice, the production, the arrangements, the performances… whew.

Someone ripped off Film School’s van – and all their gear in it – in Philadelphia. Pitchfork has the astonishing true crime story, while the list of missing gear is up on their MySpace page. A few shows have been cancelled but their SxSW appearances are still on.

Elbow’s April 18 show in Toronto now has a venue – they will be performing at the Opera House. And Elefant are at the Mod Club with Sound Team on May 12.

Jon Auer of Posies fame will finally release his debut solo record Songs From The Year Of Our Demise on May 2. This thing has been sitting on a shelf somewhere for something on the order of years, so the fact that it’s actually finally seeing the light of day is remarkable.

Being There takes a look back at comic books that have made the jump from the funny pages to the big screen, just in time for the new trailer for X-Men 3, aka The Last Stand, to hit the interweb.

And also, check out the confirmed cast for the film adaptation of Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess’ Stardust. Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert DeNiro and Claire Danes? Wow, that’s some respectable star power. I will have to re-read the book to remind myself of who they might be playing.

Stereophile fears the iPod. Via Largehearted Boy.

np – Mogwai / Mr Beast

With his “Does anyone still care” mini-tour from last Fall proving to be quite the success, Rob Dickinson was in town last night just five months after his triumphant show at the Horseshoe last October. The positive response he got must have been encouraging, because this time around he jettisoned the second guitarist and keyboardist and did things truly solo, just him and an acoustic guitar.

It’s a testament to this city’s persistent adoration for Dickinson and Catherine Wheel that he was able to nearly fill Lee’s Palace on a Tuedsay night and so soon after coming through town the first time. Unlike last time, where he drew only from Fresh Wine For The Horses up until the end of the set, he opened last night with “Heal”, and split the set evenly between CW and solo material. The crowd, for their part, was willing to meet Rob halfway and was almost as appreciative of the new material as the classics. Also contributing to the atmosphere was Rob’s rather jovial mood – in chatting with the audience, the vibe was not unlike an episode of VH1 Storytellers. He prefaced “Little Muscle” with some comments about the Colin Farrell sex tapes and “Eat My Dust You Insensitive Fuck” was dedicated to American Idol. Overall the atmosphere was great and once again, Rob was terrific. And it’s worth noting the number of hints and asides he made about his old band – it would not shock me one bit to see a full-fledged Catherine Wheel reunion sooner rather than later. Almost certainly before a second Dickinson solo disc comes to be.

Photos here and as a footnote, The Cleveland Free Times has an interview with Rob.

Pitchfork had a chat with Belle & Sebastian’s Stevie Jackson just before the start of their current North American tour while Being There revisits the band’s early works.

Some release info – Sigur Ros will release a new EP for Saeglopur in April and The Futureheads’ News And Tributes will be out May 23. They give NME a sneak preview. Finally the new one from Australia’s Sleepy Jackson, still untitled, has a May 30 release date. Looking forward to this one – Lovers was a great record.

Some show info – Most of this year’s edition of The Over The Top Fest has been announced, and once again it’s going to be a super-solid long weekend of music in Toronto come early May. Initially the most exciting show to me is the Shameless-sponsored showcase with Asobi Seksu, PAS/CAL and Ohbijou at Sneaky Dee’s on May 6, but there’s lots more worth seeing on the sched, and there’s still a few more shows forthcoming. Also, Elephant 6-ers The Minders are in town August 5 at a venue to be determined, and My Morning Jacket will be opening up for Pearl Jam’s upcoming North American tour, including the first two dates of the whole shebang at the Air Canada Centre on May 9 and 10.

I don’t really know how this will affect me in real practical terms, but in principle, I wholeheartedly approve.

24: So how intense does an episode have to be to warrant a double-shot midway through the season? Mmm, fairly intense. Ep 1: So how exactly does skid-boy get in touch with the terrorists to sell the keycard? Did he put an ad on Craigslist? Best moment from the hospital: Chemical weapons guy – “It could detonate if you move it”. Curtis’ look – “I just told you that five minutes ago, you dillweed”. And that was the worst hospital evacuation job I’ve ever seen. I mean, seriously. “Put everyone in the parking lot! And park the CTU vehicles way at the back, behind all the people!” Ugh. Ep 2: Look! Kim! Arriving at CTU just in time to be taken hostage! AWESOME. And she brought a boyfriend! Quick, everyone lay odds on what limb he’s going to lose. Anyone notice the name that keycard boy put on it? Mark Marcus. Yeah, that’s inconspicuous. Best line of the night was Audrey on Kim: “I think she’s a little confused”. Hell, I’ve been saying that for five seasons now. Poor hot CTU chick – dead and all Edgar’s fault. But I guess it seems a little crass to blame him for that now… But yeah. That was pretty good. And when I read this story the other day (http://www.theeagle.com/stories/030706/nation_20060307017.php), I couldn’t help thinking about CTU’s crack (smoking) security staff.

np – Neko Case / Fox Confessor Brings The Flood

Though usually despicable, sometimes crowd chatter at a gig can be a useful thing. For example, at last night’s Toronto debut at Lee’s Palace by New Yorkers Dirty On Purpose, after the band would finish playing a song and the modestly-sized crowd applauded, there would be this huge, awkward silence in the room while they tuned up. Before too long, someone in the band would step up with some banter, but not before it was made very clear that – hey, it’s quiet in here.

But not so quiet when they were playing. The band wields a near-perfect balance between noise and pop, most of the former courtesy of resident guitar-abuser George Wilson. I could see why the band’s setup gave him the bulk of the onstage real estate – he whipped around like a dervish up there while spewing fuzz from his Jazzmaster. His Sonic Youth tribute act was in perfect balance with the buoyant melody and harmonies of the vocals, the band colouring outside the lines just enough. It took a few songs to get the mix right, with the softness of the singing so easily drowned out by the wall of sound, but once that was sorted out, it sounded sublime. A real improvement from when I first saw them at SxSW last year, under a tent on a patio. It sounded pretty much like “KKKKKKHHHHHHHHKHHHHHHH”. But somehow still in a good way.

The set list consisted of almost all new material from their forthcoming Hallelujah Sirens album – only one song from Sleep Late For a Better Tomorrow made the cut, but they did pull out an old track, “Monument” (which will also resurface on the album), for an unplanned encore after being called back by the small but completely won-over audience, and the blistering instrumental was an excellent way to cap off the show. There’s no doubt that they’ll be back in town sooner or later, and when they are you’ll be wishing you could say you were one of the two-dozen or so who saw them last night. And here are some piccies from last night. Update: The band is keeping a tour diary!

Big new release day today! Let’s see what people are saying.

I pre-ordered Centro-Matic’s latest Fort Recovery a little while ago, but only got it late last week, just a few days before its proper release date today. On the first few listens, it seems a little less rocking than Love You Just The Same but it does feature some of Will Johnson’s prettiest melodies ever. I think time will prove this one to be another small classic. D/FW’s WFAA (Bugmenot) and their hometown Denton Record-Chronicle
(Bugmenot) both have features on the band, who will be in town at the Horseshoe on April 5.

Mogwai’s Stuart Brathwaite tells Metromix about stuff he hates, and Barry Burns tells The Cavalier Daily he’s proud of the band’s noise AND volume and The Columbia Spectator about domesticity. Mr Beast is out on Tuesday and while on their American tour, they’ve set up a website that will let you follow the band around the country as they leave a trail of bleeding eardrums and savaged musician egos in their wake. Interesting thing about that map – Vaughan appears, Toronto does not.

Even though Macleans just ran a piece on Neko Case last week, they’ve got another this week. The Washington Post asks the Virginian about her DC-area roots and a reminder that she’ll be on Letterman on Thursday night.

And what kind of a world do we live in where you have to go to AOL to hear streams both Fox Confessor Brings The Flood (via BrooklynVegan) and Mogwai’s Mr Beast?

Isobel Campbell, who has recovered from the bout of flu that forced her to cancel Saturday’s Toronto shows, talks to InsideBayArea.com and PopMatters about Ballad Of The Broken Seas. I haven’t forgotten my contest from this weekend – I will be drawing names sometime today.

Once again, 24 commentary will be delayed this week. I was out last night and mis-programmed my VCR – I left the tuner on the wrong channel, so anyone who wants to talk Degrassi: The Next Generation, bring it on. In the meantime, I give you this – PopMatters frets about the frequent use of torture as a means to a just end on the show and Wayfaring.com presents Jacktracker – a Google Maps mod that follows Jack Bauer’s adventuers in and around LA.

RIP, Kirby Puckett.

np – Saturday Looks Good To Me / Sound On Sound