Two years ago marked the debut of Baltimore's dreamy pop duo Beach House with their self-titled release. It was good stuff. We find ourselves in March of 2008 (already?) and Beach House has served up another album for our reviewing pleasure. Devotion, released last week, features some of the same that Beach House's self-titled album had: the flawless and foolproof voice of Victoria Legrand, the melodies on strings and keys played by Alex Scally and......

Not-so-fresh off the heels of last year's Wild Mountain Nation, Portland's Blitzen Trapper swings by the Bayou City tonight at Walter's on Washington. Even though they're painfully under the Houston musical consciousness' radar, it'll do you some good to check their set out. Released on Sub Pop Records last year, Wild Mountain Nation proved to be one of the strongest releases of 2007, although somewhat overlooked considering the heavyweights that ended up dominating the ridiculous......

We’ve got a busy week on the concert front. Our favorite duo from New York arrives at The Meridian tomorrow night. They Might Be Giants have been making quirky alt/pop songs for grown-ups over 20 years now, and a few albums for the kids that us grown-ups enjoy, too. Wilco’s Friday night show at Verizon Wireless Theater is sold out, but if you’re willing to pay a little, you can still get your hands......

You know what they say, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. That certainly seems to be the case for the Houston Rockets. Local hoops fans will recall that the Rockets’ marketing staff attempted to appeal to the gentler sex a month back through the use of a Ladies Night Out gimmick. Well those wacky folks are at it again, and this time they’re seeking out a few good men. For......

>> There are some big changes coming to Memorial Park: Houston's most popular park with a running trail and a burger joint is slated to get more improved features to help you sweat to the oldies. According to ABC13, Mayor Bill White's improvement plan will include a bridge across Memorial Parkway for cyclists and pedestrians, extended running trails, an improved tennis facility and a new shower facility for you dirty folks. Sounds pricey, huh?......

Did we miss something? Let us know. Here’s the full week line-up. Local bands are noted by an asterisk (*): Wednesday • The Leo Trio/*The Haymakers/The Mighty Orq – rock | 9 p.m. at Rudyard's • Dead Meadow/*Sharks and Sailors/Southern Bellugosi – indie | 9 p.m.at The Mink Thursday • Bob Schneider/Mothers Anthem/Jake Andrews – pop/rock | 8 p.m.at Warehouse Live • Jimmy LaFave – folk/Americana | 7 p.m. at Mucky Duck • *Backbeat......

::Troy Winscott at Max's Wine Dive:: Troy Winscott's designy giclee prints will be on display at Max's, and the reception for his work is tonight. Winscott studied illustration at the Art Institute of Houston and has a background in jewelry design as well. Both crafts are at play in his tantalizing prints. Max's will host live music, light hors d'oeuvres and offer wine specials for the night. And, of course, the artist. It's a......

Darrell Green, a product of Houston's Jones High School, was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this past weekend. Green, who was selected No. 1 overall in 1983 by the Washington Redskins, played 20-years with the same team, an NFL co-record with the Rams' Jackie Slater. During his 20-year career, Green was arguably the greatest cornerback of his time. He intercepted 54 passes for 621 yards and returned six of them for......

The Houston Business Journal picked up this story yesterday, and while we're over-joyed, we can't say that we're all that surprised. We knew those Rice kids were up to something sustainable. A team of Rice students lead by Roque Sanchez and David Dewane have won $100,000 and permission to compete in the US Department of Energy's fourth Solar Decathlon in Washington D.C. Rice will be joined by a number of other schools and each......

Rumor has it that Joe Williams shared the stage with the likes of The Rapture and Black Dice back in 1999. That would mean that at 15, Williams shared the stage with some of the most innovative indie electro acts of the time. Eight years later, he continues to rub elbows with some of the finest names in the industry, including Dan Deacon, Greg Gillis of Girl Talk and Battles, only this time as White......

Reigning “Queen of Funk” Sharon Jones [pictured] and her band the Dap-Kings will perform tomorrow night at Walter’s on Washington. The soul revivalists are touring in support of their critically acclaimed album, 100 Days, 100 Nights, a gritty homespun recording of retro R&B that has proven to be the group's breakthrough moment. Everything about Jones and the Kings is retro; from the way they record their music on a sixteen track, to their heavy touring......

This week marks the debut of the new location for Super Happy Fun Land. They have moved to 3801 Polk Street, and you can join their "Grand Opening Polka Party" (get it?) Friday night. Monday night, the Van Halen returns to Houston at the Toyota Center. We're hoping that Diamond Dave and boys don't have the same tuning mishap that they had at the beginning of their tour. Did we miss something? Let us......

The year 2080 isn’t shaping up to be a very good one, and Brooklyn band Yeasayer [pictured] have chosen an interesting way of dealing with this ‘inconvenient truth.' They’ve written songs about it, pairing their anxieties concerning the distant future with far-reaching influences that the BBC calls a “cream-whipped mix of Fleetwood Mac, African highlife, Robert Wyatt, rebetika, Thomas Mapfumo, Neil Young, Tears For Fears and Aboriginal chanting.” Mp3: Yeasayer - 2080 But it isn't......

Tomorrow night, you should check out local favorites The Mathletes last show of the year (already?). They headline the line-up at The Proletariat. Another local favorite, Orange Is In, hits Rudyard’s Saturday night. Tuesday night sees the arrival of the Foo Fighters at the Toyota Center. If that venue is a little too big for you, check out actor/singer/songwriter Jeff Daniels at the Mucky Duck the same night. Did we miss something? Let us......

If you fancy some Japanese rock, check out Fantasys Core tonight at Walter’s on Washington (our own Motion Turns It On opens). It’s been ten years since Shawn Mullins' “Lullaby” was a big hit. Mullins sound is more on the Americana/folk side these days, and you can hear for yourself tomorrow night at the Mucky Duck. Friday night, Warehouse Live has an eclectic mix of local music, including one of our favorites, Two Star......

Several more venues are celebrating the holidays this week with showcases. The Meridian is hosting the annual Holiday Babes Christmas Party tomorrow night with our favorite local musical babe, Katie Stuckey. Verizon Wireless will be a haven for country singer/songwriter lovers tomorrow night (includes Roger Creager and Bruce Robinson). Warehouse Live celebrates twice with the Jingle Balls Friday night, showcasing local favorites Paris Green and Glass Intrepid, and their annual Eve of Christmas Eve......

Good morning, Houston. So you say you're a Dynamo fan, eh? Well, here's your chance to prove it: The back-to-back MLS champs are auctioning off a chance to get close to the team's two MLS cups — literally. If you win the auction, the cups will be dropped off at your house on Christmas Eve and picked up Dec. 26; in between, you can do whatever you want with 'em (within reason, of course).......

Local tech news in a compact, digital format. No New Timing System For Houston Marathon Officials for the Chevron Houston Marathon have opted not to use a new timing system by Michigan-based SAI Timing and Tracking after it failed to operate correctly during a marathon in Honolulu. Chevron Houston Marathon officials have decided to stick with ChampionChip, the timing system it has used since 2000. Early Warning: HAAUG Swap Meet Mark your calendars, the......

December always brings some good mini-festivals, and this week is a good example. It starts tonight with the KILT 10-Man Jam, featuring many popular country radio stars. Tomorrow night, the husband/wife team of Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis come into town for their annual Christmas show. Saturday, Chron.com showcases some of the best local talent in their concert at Warehouse Live. Finally, KRBE's annual Jingle Jam brings pop radio's favorite to the Toyota Center......

Some pret-ty, pret-ty, pret-ty cool stuff opening this weekend, kids. Check it out: Jeanne Cassanova / Reginald Rachuba The Joanna Gallery "Those in attendance can be assured a multi sensory onslaught of 'image spillage'." Oh, really. We have to admit, the term "spillage" sort of scares us, but the image at right is so cool, we're willing to risk it. Both Cassanova and Rachuba pull from contemporary images and create narratives woven between each other......

So if you've been following our easy, no-fuss no-muss primer on learning about art and local artists, etc. now is your chance to show off your new knowledge! This weekend brings us Spacetaker's 2007 Holiday Sale, featuring all kinds of work from local artists. They'll have everything from jewelry to paintings to sculpture for purchase AND 75% of the proceeds benefit the artist while 25% goes to Spacetaker, which helps nurture the Houston arts community!......

Radio rock fans have a decision to make tonight: see the currently hot band Avenged Sevenfold at Warehouse Live or catch the now-grown-up Silverchair at The Meridian. Speaking of the 90's, old school rapper Tone Loc will stop off at Fitzgerald's Thursday night. Local eclectic classical trio Two Star Symphony plays a special show Saturday night on the St. Thomas campus. Another local favorite, The Mathletes, open a show at Rudyard's Saturday night. The......

Morning on Washington St by jeremey ________________________________________________________________ If you have a passion for Houston and photography, consider joining over 450 of Houston's best photographers in the Houstonist Flickr Photo Group. If Houstonist uses your photo for Photo Of The Day, submit it here.......

Ok, ok. We listened to you. We DO do that sometimes. And you've said that even though you can't live without really enjoy the Daily-ist everyday, a feature that picks out one kick arse event each day from the thousands, um, ok, lots and lots of things going on in the city, you are busy people. And you would like to plan ahead. Ok, we hear ya. So it's back: The Weekly-ist List. We'll......

The Dynamo Dynasty? Yeah, that sounds pretty good. The Orange are headed for their second consecutive MLS Cup appearance after shutting out the Kansas City Wizards at Robertson Stadium on Saturday night. However, the win did not come without a high cost. Forward Brian Ching, who has been one of the cornerstones of the franchise since its arrival in Houston last year, went down with a calf strain in the 69th minute with the game......

Your Houston Dynamo are now just two wins away from their second consecutive MLS Cup, but they first have to get through the Kansas City Wizards before facing the New England Revolution for the Cup. The teams have played each other twice this year already, with the Orange defeating the Wizards in KC and one tie in Houston as the results. The showdown will take place on Saturday at 7:30pm at Robertson Stadium. The Wizards......

Today’s Photo of the Day comes from flickr user and Houstonist photo contributor Renegade Buddha who brings us this vintage sign along Washington Ave. __________________________________________________________ If you have a passion for Houston and photography, consider joining over 444 of Houston's best photographers in the Houstonist Flickr Photo Group. If Houstonist uses your photo for Photo Of The Day, submit it here. For more great photography check out the Houston Photobloggers.......

Good morning, Houston. Suppose you're trying to keep up with piles and piles of government reports. How can you tell when there are too many? Simple: You ask for a report, of course. That's what the Texas State Library and Archives Commission did — and in a 668-page report, the commission has declared that the state is over-reported. The commission looked at more than 170 state agencies and universities and found more than 1,600......

The Dynamo's playoff run in defense of their MLS championship begins 7pm on Saturday against FC Dallas in Dallas, and while the Texans flounder and the Rockets are just getting warmed up, the Dynamo stand as Houston's last best chance for a successful team this year. The Orange start the playoffs as the second seed in the Western Conference, behind Chivas USA, but still one of the favorites for the MLS Cup. Now that......

Attention Lance Lovers! Texas' most famous cancer survivor will be visiting Houston tomorrow to lobby in support of Proposition 15. You can click here to read it in its entirety, but it's not any kind of Engrish that we recognize. The short story is that Prop 15, if passed, would result in a constitutional ammendment allowing for obligation bonds to raise money and establishing the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. Lance explained......