tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68944813767559281252024-03-19T11:19:19.535-05:00Eargazms.......titillating tidbits for the musical mind...mega-superior goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398105652723315971noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894481376755928125.post-41568677962702621412013-04-12T11:15:00.001-05:002013-04-12T11:15:20.011-05:00The Black Angels - Indigo Meadow (2013)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0l0omxlmXeUV6yeLcjXz1RZmoFMZD4yWIgnwHx7YWbSX6gx5-vY4PTGoPMS9_LtQEDFP_eXD75kYTxzYdi1Fq3yEDMATb0czBrOWPBidT0u-9BVijRWaAWhUIRMXArmlzHqZKuK4rIRaT/s1600/528924_10151642643122542_1870680833_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0l0omxlmXeUV6yeLcjXz1RZmoFMZD4yWIgnwHx7YWbSX6gx5-vY4PTGoPMS9_LtQEDFP_eXD75kYTxzYdi1Fq3yEDMATb0czBrOWPBidT0u-9BVijRWaAWhUIRMXArmlzHqZKuK4rIRaT/s320/528924_10151642643122542_1870680833_n.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
<br />
Contrary to what many believe about modern psychedelic music, the genre isn't all about peace, love, and dancing hippies. From the very beginning, The Black Angels have challenged these notions with a darker, more sinister edge. Since 2008, I've seen the band play a number of times and each show has been a memorable experience. One year, during a performance at SXSW, the crowd broke into a violent mosh pit. While at the CD release show for their 2nd album, there was an incredible light show and strange film footage displayed while the band played. For a moment, the visual effects mixed with their trance-like rhythms made me feel as though someone had slipped me some acid. And at a third concert, I was almost certain that they played a Joy Division cover, only to discover it was an original called "Manipulation". With that being said, The Black Angels are not your typical flower power psych-rock band. Their sound walks a blurry line between retro and otherworldly; steeped in blues, yet drenched in reverb and studio experimentation, with simple yet extremely effective tribal rhythms that send you into orbit.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Indigo Meadow</i> marks the band's fourth studio album of their career and the first new record in 2 and 1/2 years. Despite the wait, the band stayed busy with a hefty amount of touring, and various side projects. (Guitarist - Christian Bland formed another psych-rock band with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christian-Bland-The-Revelators/213102095455107" target="_blank">The Revelators</a>. While lead singer - Alex Maas, did some recording with the lead singer of the Heartless Bastards - Erika Wennerstrom, in a group called <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcMehU-hQ8Q" target="_blank">Sweet Tea</a>.) Also notable is that The Black Angels recorded <i>Indigo Meadow</i> as a four piece rather than a 5-6 piece band for the first time in their career. In 2012, original member/guitarist/bassist - Nate Ryan quit to pursue other projects.<br />
<br />
Writing for <i>Indigo Meadow</i> took place in Austin between January and June of 2012. In that time, thirty songs were written in total. According to interviews with both Alex Maas and Christian Bland, this was the first album that they actually sat down and "crafted" the songs together before going into the studio. Whereas before, most of their new material was developed from jamming at soundchecks, and in the studio. As a result, the songs on <i>Indigo Meadow</i> are much more concise than on past efforts. Following the writing of the album, the band went to Sonic Ranch Studios in the West Texas border town of Tornilla. There, they geared their time more towards experimenting and getting the weirdest sounds possible out of their instruments. The sessions ended in three weeks, resulting in 16 finished songs.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ohyrmbs7LuRghwt18VWgFJgU7DSpumSgTzJegLmrY1P84Wew76bzUgoWVqOHN8CmDcDjSuHhwU0DOWXrhkgZ-tGJV_fAZikJ6h9wNITzM6o_W-zYrOk_PSrwFFsqKdGFwtdH7Rjv0MGm/s1600/04-03-Buzz-The-Black-Angels-3-Photo-by-Courtney-Chavanell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ohyrmbs7LuRghwt18VWgFJgU7DSpumSgTzJegLmrY1P84Wew76bzUgoWVqOHN8CmDcDjSuHhwU0DOWXrhkgZ-tGJV_fAZikJ6h9wNITzM6o_W-zYrOk_PSrwFFsqKdGFwtdH7Rjv0MGm/s320/04-03-Buzz-The-Black-Angels-3-Photo-by-Courtney-Chavanell.jpg" width="320" /></a>Like every Black Angels album, <i>Indigo Meadow</i> sounds best when played LOUD! It features a fair amount of the groovy buzz-saw guitar riffage, thunderous bass lines, ghostly vocals, and tribal 4/4 drum patterns that fans have come to know and love; as well as a monstrous mixed bag of noises that often left me scratching my head at times. Backwards tape loops, multi-layered vocals - processed to sound like organs, and a ton of sounds that just left me clueless as to how they were made, were just a few of the minor details that I started noticing after several listens. There is no question that this is an album that gets more interesting with repeat listens, and that the band are obviously progressing musically. But often these added textures mixed with the concise 60's influenced songwriting come off sounding cluttered, and as though there is too much happening at once. As a result some of the better songs ("Twisted Light") suffer for it, while other not-so-great songs ("The Day") seem to hide behind the shield of unnecessary noise.<br />
<br />
Still there is a solid chunk of songs you'll probably love on this album. The aptly titled - "Evil Things" and the last two minutes of closing song "Black is Black" feature explosions of fuzzy guitar lines, banshee howls, and deep bassy groove that recall their first album - <i>Passover</i>. On other numbers like the creepy and hypnotic - "Holland"; the haunting first single - "Don't Play with Guns", and "I Hear Colors" (which ranks as one of their most "psychedelic" songs to date); the band seems to have stuck their head into a whole new realm musically. Similar to their last album - <i>Phosphene Dream</i>, The Black Angels have continued to draw from 60's garage rock, early Syd Barrett era Pink Floyd, The Zombies, The Doors, and of course <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/13th_Floor_Elevators" target="_blank">The 13th Floor Elevators</a>. Prime examples include "You're Mine" (a catchy little cannibalistic love song set to a time-travel palette of rhythm) and "Love Me Forever" (which features ringing Rickenbacker guitars and an interesting break that sounds like something that could have been on <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pet_sounds" target="_blank">Pet Sounds</a></i>).<br />
<br />
<i>Indigo Meadow</i>, although currently my least favorite album by The Black Angels, is still an interesting listen with several must hear songs. This could end up being an album that reveals itself more and more over the coming years, the way that their 2nd album <i>Directions to See a Ghost</i> did for me. Still, it'll be interesting to see where the band goes from here. And as always their amazing live shows are a must see!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBv36sxXZtEibVBqOT93q6YVkOHb0_dZ8HG9d1CVcEBl6jEN3Qg0ASqq-ZyLu-3QN1bgGNDxc9sSsOSFGw4pAKmpIeCTyO_WsQ-__nurSYkzK_h4-igayxZBHqbjTcVWjUAup2MYGoKO7u/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBv36sxXZtEibVBqOT93q6YVkOHb0_dZ8HG9d1CVcEBl6jEN3Qg0ASqq-ZyLu-3QN1bgGNDxc9sSsOSFGw4pAKmpIeCTyO_WsQ-__nurSYkzK_h4-igayxZBHqbjTcVWjUAup2MYGoKO7u/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBv36sxXZtEibVBqOT93q6YVkOHb0_dZ8HG9d1CVcEBl6jEN3Qg0ASqq-ZyLu-3QN1bgGNDxc9sSsOSFGw4pAKmpIeCTyO_WsQ-__nurSYkzK_h4-igayxZBHqbjTcVWjUAup2MYGoKO7u/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBv36sxXZtEibVBqOT93q6YVkOHb0_dZ8HG9d1CVcEBl6jEN3Qg0ASqq-ZyLu-3QN1bgGNDxc9sSsOSFGw4pAKmpIeCTyO_WsQ-__nurSYkzK_h4-igayxZBHqbjTcVWjUAup2MYGoKO7u/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBv36sxXZtEibVBqOT93q6YVkOHb0_dZ8HG9d1CVcEBl6jEN3Qg0ASqq-ZyLu-3QN1bgGNDxc9sSsOSFGw4pAKmpIeCTyO_WsQ-__nurSYkzK_h4-igayxZBHqbjTcVWjUAup2MYGoKO7u/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBv36sxXZtEibVBqOT93q6YVkOHb0_dZ8HG9d1CVcEBl6jEN3Qg0ASqq-ZyLu-3QN1bgGNDxc9sSsOSFGw4pAKmpIeCTyO_WsQ-__nurSYkzK_h4-igayxZBHqbjTcVWjUAup2MYGoKO7u/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a> out of 5</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/812r_yzUJ_s" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
For all the latest Black Angels info, check out: <a href="http://theblackangels.com/">http://theblackangels.com/</a></div>
mega-superior goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398105652723315971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894481376755928125.post-83732301311740139602013-04-06T18:30:00.000-05:002013-04-06T18:30:01.592-05:00Wilco Saved My Life One Night.<div style="text-align: left;">
I was a little late getting into the music of Wilco. It wasn't until 2002 and the release of <i>Yankee Hotel Foxtrot</i> that I slowly began to take notice. In the following year, I ended up buying and obsessing over the rest of the group's catalogue - <i>Summerteeth</i>, <i>Being There</i>, and their first album - the sadly underlooked alt-country classic - <i>A.M</i>. Around this time I considered myself a serious songwriter, spending hours each day preparing for gigs, and working on new material to try out with the band I was playing in. <i>A.M.</i> was on constant rotation and a huge inspiration to my writing at this time. But little did I know, <i>A.M.</i> (notably "Passenger Side") may have also saved my life one night.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
While living in Boston, I'd occasionally travel home to the Eastern Shore of Maryland to visit my family. Depending on traffic, the trip took anywhere from 7 to 13 hours. So to save time, I'd usually leave at midnight on a Thursday or Friday and arrive in the early morning hours of the following day. Some thought I was a little nuts to do these drives on my own, but I really enjoyed them. It gave me a chance to clear my head, and catch up on a ton of new music. One early morning, I started drifting off at the wheel and heading straight into a steep ditch. As I was hitting the grass, I woke up to the sound of Jeff Tweedy singing the opening lines to "Passenger Side, making it back on the highway just in time.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Hey wake up!/ Your eyes weren't open wide</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>For the last couple of miles/ You've been swerving from side to side</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>You're gonna make me spill my beer if you don't learn how to steer</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pzkSlj8VUfE" width="420"></iframe></div>
mega-superior goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398105652723315971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894481376755928125.post-51019192870817216262013-04-02T13:05:00.003-05:002013-04-02T14:32:41.699-05:00David Bowie - The Next Day (2013)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_VwZPYeZ6PKED7Rz1UwQDT-cYidG2Cq1lHoWvTGTTiPnPrit0vPQ3wdH-zTpP1pOxD7j6p8FA78CK6fUwqhiG3kU0JgBNkQpfBGX4c0ZI0Wrm6gfaKhcZOAkbMDv0qOqnMc_-rbdpBxS/s1600/david-bowie-the-nextday-510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_VwZPYeZ6PKED7Rz1UwQDT-cYidG2Cq1lHoWvTGTTiPnPrit0vPQ3wdH-zTpP1pOxD7j6p8FA78CK6fUwqhiG3kU0JgBNkQpfBGX4c0ZI0Wrm6gfaKhcZOAkbMDv0qOqnMc_-rbdpBxS/s320/david-bowie-the-nextday-510.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
A couple years ago, The Flaming Lips released a single begging the question - "Is David Bowie Dying?". Despite plenty of reports and photos proving otherwise, you couldn't help but wonder just what had happened to the Thin White Duke. One of the all-time forces in music for the last 40+ years hadn't released a new studio album since 2003's <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality_(David_Bowie_album)" target="_blank">Reality</a></i>, and hadn't toured since collapsing onstage around the same time. Was David Bowie really dying? A closer look showed that he was still very active and a man about town in New York City, but that Flaming Lips song title kept popping up in my brain.<br />
<br />
Then, just when I thought 2013's list of new music releases couldn't get any better, David Bowie made the announcement that fans had been waiting for. On his 66th birthday (January 8th), he posted a new music video, and the first single from his upcoming album - <i>The Next Day</i>. Life was good again!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
Recording the album as though it were a top secret mission, David Bowie had everyone involved sign non-disclosure agreements, stating that - not a word would be mentioned to anyone regarding what was going on in the studio (including their own children!). Co-producer - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Visconti" target="_blank">Tony Visconti</a> (who produced <i>The Next Day</i> as well as several of Bowie's finest albums), said that recording started with a week long session in late 2010, resulting in a dozen instrumental backing tracks. Bowie would then take the songs with him and spend a few months at home laboring over melodies and lyrics, and then reconvene sessions with the band. These 2-3 week recording spurts went on for about two years. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
So what does the 27th studio album from David Bowie sound like?<br />
<br />
Like everything you've ever loved about his music (minus his techno and metal phases) all rolled up into one compact 14 song collection. Where his last batch of albums were a hodge-podge mixed with tired sounding arrangements that screamed "skip to the next track"; along with a small batch of memorable tunes per album; <i>The Next Day</i> is full of tighly-wound pop hookery and experimentation that remains a memorable listen from start to finish.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinV8Uts2_FnLq8zErKLiqhGD0hBAxZTYGOErYko8wRHdAjKt_pBXgvY4Q2DcQL9U29e57alXXzGN3HtizFT0XGd81caFEf4reuLp_xs978CHrBNjrVsOIncITIuSLwE5OKHDoXgLk791l_/s1600/david-bowie-studio-jimmy-king-240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinV8Uts2_FnLq8zErKLiqhGD0hBAxZTYGOErYko8wRHdAjKt_pBXgvY4Q2DcQL9U29e57alXXzGN3HtizFT0XGd81caFEf4reuLp_xs978CHrBNjrVsOIncITIuSLwE5OKHDoXgLk791l_/s320/david-bowie-studio-jimmy-king-240.jpg" width="225" /></a>On <i>The Next Day</i>, Bowie is joined by a host of familiar faces whom he has worked with in the past - including guitarist - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Slick" target="_blank">Earl Slick</a>, drummer - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sterling_Campbell" target="_blank">Sterling Campbell</a>, bassist - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gail_Ann_Dorsey" target="_blank">Gail Ann Dorsey</a>, guitarist - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerry_Leonard" target="_blank">Gerry Leonard</a>, and most notably multi-instrumentalist and producer - Tony Visconti. Visconti has always been a master of capturing that mixture of dirtied-up glam rock with a sexy swagger; and he manages to bring these elements out remarkably well on <i>The Next Day. </i>The entire album sounds surprisingly fresh, yet every now and then, you catch a whiff of different periods of David Bowie's career. From the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rise_and_Fall_of_Ziggy_Stardust_and_the_Spiders_from_Mars" target="_blank">Ziggy Stardust</a> glam rock era, just listen to Earl Slick's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mick_Ronson" target="_blank">Mick Ronson</a>-like, scuzzy guitar solos on the blistering rocker "Set the World on Fire"; while on "Dancing Out in Space" the band transforms into <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Spiders_from_Mars" target="_blank">The Spiders from Mars</a> as they sing androgynous doo-wop background vocals. You can go even further back to the 60's with the catchiest song on the album -"Valentines Day"- a track that could have easily been stripped down to sound like something off of Bowie's bubblegum-pop debut.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And finally there is the influence of <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%22Heroes%22" target="_blank">Heroes</a></i>, the classic 70's album from the beloved Berlin trilogy, that combined epic balladry and freewheeling experimentation. Besides featuring an altered cover from the album, a few numbers from <i>The Next Day</i> wouldn't sound out of place on <i>Heroes</i>. The complex and frenzied "If You Can See Me" sides with the more experimental side A of <i>Heroes</i>, and showcases these ace musicians constantly jumping time signatures and keys in perfect unity. The result is almost panic-attack inducing! Perhaps the strongest song on the album is the tear jerking melancholy first single - "Where Are We Now?". On the ballad, Bowie sings of a "man lost in time", and name drops several of the places where he would hang out in Berlin . (see music video below)</div>
<br />
There are plenty of other highlights on the album. Bowie's voice sounds as strong as ever on the continuously building epic - "You Feel So Lonely You Could Die" and the trippy "I'd Rather Be High"; in which he sings from the perspective of a soldier in World War II. <i>The Next Day</i> closes with the progressive-rock leanings of "Heat", which manages to walk a tightrope between claustrophobic and an ocean of bliss.<br />
<br />
This is without question David Bowie's best album since 1995's <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outside_(David_Bowie_album)" target="_blank">Outside</a></i>, and possibly his best since <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let%27s_Dance_(David_Bowie_album)" target="_blank">Let's Dance</a> </i>from 1983<i>. </i>Still, I wouldn't call <i>The Next Day</i> a classic Bowie album, but it's definitely among his stronger releases - a rewarding piece of pop excellence that only gets better with repeated listens.<br />
<br />
<i>Side Notes:</i><br />
<i>According to Tony Visconti, it may not be too long before another album is released. In one interview, he stated that the band recorded 29 songs for The Next Day, and there are tentative plans to start working again later this year........... Also, make sure to get the deluxe version of The Next Day! The bonus tracks are essential, most notably the driving rocker - "I'll Take You There", which could have been a single.</i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnjKWTnOqYkz1O5qr4dcNfOSEWMpvPdcF5k8XWNruAJczr0KCdePCvk3MJwFvaBjCJxTkstxM3KoUfynESofK9JNN8IEEjhvm8R5vZ15mBWIDqdApcoArYYcHNXiNN5_MOUR4c_i45dQE/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnjKWTnOqYkz1O5qr4dcNfOSEWMpvPdcF5k8XWNruAJczr0KCdePCvk3MJwFvaBjCJxTkstxM3KoUfynESofK9JNN8IEEjhvm8R5vZ15mBWIDqdApcoArYYcHNXiNN5_MOUR4c_i45dQE/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnjKWTnOqYkz1O5qr4dcNfOSEWMpvPdcF5k8XWNruAJczr0KCdePCvk3MJwFvaBjCJxTkstxM3KoUfynESofK9JNN8IEEjhvm8R5vZ15mBWIDqdApcoArYYcHNXiNN5_MOUR4c_i45dQE/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnjKWTnOqYkz1O5qr4dcNfOSEWMpvPdcF5k8XWNruAJczr0KCdePCvk3MJwFvaBjCJxTkstxM3KoUfynESofK9JNN8IEEjhvm8R5vZ15mBWIDqdApcoArYYcHNXiNN5_MOUR4c_i45dQE/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnjKWTnOqYkz1O5qr4dcNfOSEWMpvPdcF5k8XWNruAJczr0KCdePCvk3MJwFvaBjCJxTkstxM3KoUfynESofK9JNN8IEEjhvm8R5vZ15mBWIDqdApcoArYYcHNXiNN5_MOUR4c_i45dQE/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnjKWTnOqYkz1O5qr4dcNfOSEWMpvPdcF5k8XWNruAJczr0KCdePCvk3MJwFvaBjCJxTkstxM3KoUfynESofK9JNN8IEEjhvm8R5vZ15mBWIDqdApcoArYYcHNXiNN5_MOUR4c_i45dQE/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnjKWTnOqYkz1O5qr4dcNfOSEWMpvPdcF5k8XWNruAJczr0KCdePCvk3MJwFvaBjCJxTkstxM3KoUfynESofK9JNN8IEEjhvm8R5vZ15mBWIDqdApcoArYYcHNXiNN5_MOUR4c_i45dQE/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnjKWTnOqYkz1O5qr4dcNfOSEWMpvPdcF5k8XWNruAJczr0KCdePCvk3MJwFvaBjCJxTkstxM3KoUfynESofK9JNN8IEEjhvm8R5vZ15mBWIDqdApcoArYYcHNXiNN5_MOUR4c_i45dQE/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a> out of 5</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QWtsV50_-p4" width="560"></iframe></div>
mega-superior goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398105652723315971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894481376755928125.post-81947743580166802322013-03-26T14:54:00.000-05:002013-03-26T14:54:00.318-05:00Sean Rowe at Laurie's Planet of Sound, Chicago - 3/20/13<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5ntZ4B3173JReXgzU1HpcHGyaqJtB-bYqUiLINaCZeyvpFya2P7mTXp8JYQLFOThQlDOPuedVVLB4qJLSoCnfRvrDHjCDF_GZKrzjDutJH1_CJYwNTakEEyTotD_-thElhreqj3pVfXr/s1600/salesman.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5ntZ4B3173JReXgzU1HpcHGyaqJtB-bYqUiLINaCZeyvpFya2P7mTXp8JYQLFOThQlDOPuedVVLB4qJLSoCnfRvrDHjCDF_GZKrzjDutJH1_CJYwNTakEEyTotD_-thElhreqj3pVfXr/s320/salesman.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Sean Rowe's <i>The Salesman and the Shark</i> finished at #6 on my list of favorite albums of 2012. His blend of heart wrenching ballads sung in his unique bass-y vocal style, was just what I needed to listen to during a year that seemed heavy on electronic-music, garage-revival bands, and "too-cool-for-school" hipster rock. Sean Rowe fits in with the group of timeless and classic singer-songwriters, with a sound not far off from the early works of Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, and other giants.<br />
<br />
Both of his albums are excellent and worth owning, although I definitely prefer <i>The Salesman and the Shark</i>. Each go perfect with a tall glass of scotch, and a sexy blonde by your side who's ready to break your heart at any second. <i>The Salesman and the Shark</i> is full of slower, almost crooner-like tunes but also features a few rave-ups that wouldn't be too far off from Tom Waits<i> Rain Dogs</i> phase.<br />
<br />
Sean Rowe came to town the other day to play a show at Lincoln Hall with a couple other songwriters. But beforehand, he stopped by Laurie's Planet of Sound in Chicago to perform a short acoustic set. I was thrilled to hear about this, especially since this great record store is only a short 10 minute walk from my apartment! When I showed up, I was expecting a packed audience, but was amazed to find out that I was the only one there!! One more person showed up, and Sean delivered a beautiful 5 song acoustic set, which included a taste of new music he's currently working on, a killer cover of Willie Dixon's classic - "Spoonful", and two more from his amazing last album.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I filmed the whole set (which you can view below). <b>Make sure to check out the first video for a very zen-like moment! </b>During the performance of "Signs" (one of my favorites), Sean sings one of his pivotal lines:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I heard a train go by and I thought of you</i></div>
<br />
Just as he sings this line, you can hear the subway train go overhead of the store. Really beautiful stuff!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>New Song</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3eavyHl3EsU?list=PLSsSNuZhcaFNm_zqVgwN9dfbeu2gqsMi0" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Signs</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ehdbBXsZfBA?list=PLSsSNuZhcaFNm_zqVgwN9dfbeu2gqsMi0" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b>
<b>New Song ("Razor of Love")</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SzShjG7qOes?list=PLSsSNuZhcaFNm_zqVgwN9dfbeu2gqsMi0" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Bring Back the Night</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/T3CGNTV_XQg?list=PLSsSNuZhcaFNm_zqVgwN9dfbeu2gqsMi0" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Spoonful (Dixon)</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xHZOZFFKHTE?list=PLSsSNuZhcaFNm_zqVgwN9dfbeu2gqsMi0" width="560"></iframe></div>
mega-superior goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398105652723315971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894481376755928125.post-15724755374091267822013-03-22T18:25:00.000-05:002013-03-22T18:25:00.197-05:00The Latest Guided By Voices Singles - Ranked<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekjzriYBydMiKcO0x1SjFbUl1Kx_p7Nc5Dcs0ucDkgh9X5ilYeHxCKsRPUwYyKSYDa8pbadQACJZ6lrLj6tjK5YXwxA2cxBVlWd4ENfUFE0WOdUdwkFD_qZw8xirme-gXrj97yV2hN9HH/s1600/gbv-english-little-league1-e1356113983235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekjzriYBydMiKcO0x1SjFbUl1Kx_p7Nc5Dcs0ucDkgh9X5ilYeHxCKsRPUwYyKSYDa8pbadQACJZ6lrLj6tjK5YXwxA2cxBVlWd4ENfUFE0WOdUdwkFD_qZw8xirme-gXrj97yV2hN9HH/s320/gbv-english-little-league1-e1356113983235.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Quick Backstory</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It took me until 2009 to finally "get" Guided By Voices. After reading about the band's breakthrough album - <i>Bee Thousand</i> in several music magazines and seeing it listed as one of the greatest indie rock albums ever, I bought the CD in 2002. After several listens, there were a few songs that stood out to me (most memorably "Echos Myron"), but the rest sounded like fluff. I stored the CD away and wouldn't return to it again until several years later. Flash forward to 2005- I decided to give it another chance, and this time around a few more tracks starting standing out but it was still very strange to me. My brain and ears just weren't ready yet. I almost sold it back to a used CD store for a measly buck or two, but then decided to return to it another day, just in case. A couple more years passed and I woke up one morning with a strange song in my head. It was one of the greatest songs I'd ever heard and quickly dug through all the music I'd listened to in the past month or so, but nothing was coming to mind. This beautiful chorus kept repeating through my hungover and hazy brain:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She runs through the night as if nobody cares</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She screams and she cries and ignores all the stares</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She wants me to go but I'm never going there</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Goldheart Mountaintop Queen Directory</span></i></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did aliens from another planet implant this melody in my mind so I could record it with my own band? Was I going insane? It didn't make any sense! Weeks later I randomly put <i>Bee Thousand</i> back on my stereo for the first time in a couple years, and there it was..... Eureka! Somehow this song which I hadn't paid much attention to before, jumped back into my life. From that point on, <i>Bee Thousand </i>began making complete sense to me. I scoured through every Robert Pollard and GBV release I could find and they have been one of my favorite bands ever since.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b>
<b>The Rankings</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since reuniting the band's "classic" lineup in 2010, they put out not one but three really great albums in 2012 - <i>Let's Go Eat the Factory</i>, <i>Class Clown Spots a UFO </i>(my favorite of the year), and <i>Bears for Lunch</i>. This year, they are planning to release two new albums beginning with <i>English Little League</i> on April 30th. To lead up to its release, they are putting out a new single every 2 weeks until it comes out. These singles which are available on 7" as well as for download have convinced me that English Little League just might top about everything they released last year! Here are my rankings of the new singles with some brief notes.</span><br />
<br />
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2FN1zHxHWBI-Tf95N5LtefgHqigLCYelnZ-ku8HibPJRGk8rQSLDiI3EGdOxVyJU9BcLpEFeDyoad5BHhokJAYiHTw6HHXTFIqpIhtxCiHILiuHq0LECotwY7aWL5XvefZXCDeevYqN7/s1600/FlunkyMinnows150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2FN1zHxHWBI-Tf95N5LtefgHqigLCYelnZ-ku8HibPJRGk8rQSLDiI3EGdOxVyJU9BcLpEFeDyoad5BHhokJAYiHTw6HHXTFIqpIhtxCiHILiuHq0LECotwY7aWL5XvefZXCDeevYqN7/s200/FlunkyMinnows150.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Flunky Minnows (Pollard) b/w Jellypop Smiles (Pollard)</span></b></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Available for Download on 2/19)</span></div>
<div>
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5 out of 5</span></i></b></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Flunky Minnows" is a GBV classic and by far the best song found across these singles! This power pop gem immediately needs repeated listens. Despite a great title, "Jellypop Smiles" is a lo-fi dud featuring a reverb drenched recorder, but does offer a nice gloomy contrast to the peppy flip-side.</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRNhmESkl9B_UFK5r7mFAswSbEGUKLYRX0kLPPzV0NH70r6zOJxpx4Z6r-81nFWc-75s_GgakZfdvaY59frC81RD2anVpgvnDVexAJmrpwhwe372Mv_BD636aYmFQmf9YB1FmUIQXpcyyI/s1600/Xeno150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRNhmESkl9B_UFK5r7mFAswSbEGUKLYRX0kLPPzV0NH70r6zOJxpx4Z6r-81nFWc-75s_GgakZfdvaY59frC81RD2anVpgvnDVexAJmrpwhwe372Mv_BD636aYmFQmf9YB1FmUIQXpcyyI/s200/Xeno150.jpg" width="200" /></span></b></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Xeno Pariah (Pollard) b/w Little Jimmy the Giant (Pollard)</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Available for Download on 4/2)</span><br />
<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5 out of 5</span></b></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i>
<i>"Xeno Pariah" is an instantly catchy power pop nugget and the opener to English Little League. The song sounds like a brighter and poppier cousin of "She Lives in Airports" from last years Bears for Lunch album. While "Little Jimmy the Giant" is a rockin' little number that was recorded in 1983. The song was originally released as a solo acoustic demo on the Suitcase box set, but here features electric guitars and a full band. </i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfHZxNYrtmOfFqH_3VlVMsd9h2m4-8gGh88lEe16Ay0ePO36qlR7_dGkMIOBCUaBEl0heel8mfbZQGMBRkKpNcVWWMaBviaY__boBfxF2WR3kr76RYJsHLdwsoECxVNsDKDOKG4Oy6f2v/s1600/Islands150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfHZxNYrtmOfFqH_3VlVMsd9h2m4-8gGh88lEe16Ay0ePO36qlR7_dGkMIOBCUaBEl0heel8mfbZQGMBRkKpNcVWWMaBviaY__boBfxF2WR3kr76RYJsHLdwsoECxVNsDKDOKG4Oy6f2v/s200/Islands150.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Islands (She Talks in Rainbows) (Sprout) </b><b>b/w She Wore Blue and Green (Sprout)/Full Framed Luberon (Pollard)</b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Available for Download on 3/5)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 and 1/2 out of 5</span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you love Tobin Sprout as much as I do, this is the single for you! "Islands", which marks the first A-side written solely by Sprout is a harmony-laden, dreamy track that is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. While "She Wore Blue and Green" is a sing-your-kids to sleep folk song. Pollard's - "Full Framed Luberon" is one of his numerous deranged experimental messes filled with grating guitars, and </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">exhausting reverb heavy shouting.</span></i></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4o6kkIuZ0DWu_Dq8wHHvxUcSr7vYjVwubkLwfS2gHnQSDAEJUGj8N-LFb67iVkzWJGWfD1Hrm_NkbkFCZhrixfCgllveM3WWE1Jq9msAXm9ZP_T7hSr9RSwcVdPzXdals9oKBHYTDZtzx/s1600/Trashcan150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4o6kkIuZ0DWu_Dq8wHHvxUcSr7vYjVwubkLwfS2gHnQSDAEJUGj8N-LFb67iVkzWJGWfD1Hrm_NkbkFCZhrixfCgllveM3WWE1Jq9msAXm9ZP_T7hSr9RSwcVdPzXdals9oKBHYTDZtzx/s200/Trashcan150.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trash Can Full of Nails (Pollard) b/w Build a Bigger Iceberg (Sprout)</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Available for Download on 3/19)</span><br />
<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 out of 5</span></b></i><br />
<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></i>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Although the A-side is my least favorite of these five singles, it could be one that makes absolute sense when heard in contrast with the rest of the new album. This tune leans heavy the prog-rock side with its' irregular battle march beat. The Tobin Sprout penned "Build a Bigger Iceberg" is an excellent psych-pop tune that features a </i><i>breezy sing-along chorus</i><i>.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rgFzQcGG_yaJxL8UGIiuNelq0ln1ie38NV9wAqdHHHpoclVadH9DQuHFXmDOB6IcCDvisQDuNBGLj7pgVAyws-dFYEhzPOci84fz8ywhPyWqsIP7VL9-jhNzQdRtRRW-ddlagKZ8L4ZA/s1600/NobleInsect150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rgFzQcGG_yaJxL8UGIiuNelq0ln1ie38NV9wAqdHHHpoclVadH9DQuHFXmDOB6IcCDvisQDuNBGLj7pgVAyws-dFYEhzPOci84fz8ywhPyWqsIP7VL9-jhNzQdRtRRW-ddlagKZ8L4ZA/s200/NobleInsect150.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Noble Insect (Pollard/Sprout) b/w Waves of Gray (Sprout)/See You Soon (Pollard)</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Available for Download on 4/16)</span><br />
<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 out of 5</span></b></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Noble Insect" captures a return of the side project - Airport 5, featuring Tobin Sprout providing all of the instrumental parts while Pollard sings the main melody. The second side showcase Sprout and Pollard trading off a pair of songs on the piano; with "Waves of Gray" being a short and jumpy number, while "See You Soon" mixes Pollard's raw pop brilliance with experimental weirdness.</span></i><br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<i><b>Download the songs at <a href="http://gbvdigital.com/">gbvdigital.com</a></b></i></div>
</div>
mega-superior goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398105652723315971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894481376755928125.post-81846706392526951272013-03-18T18:50:00.005-05:002013-03-18T18:50:54.596-05:00Veronica Falls at The Empty Bottle, Chicago - 3/14/13<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1nHJBRIxP5mbJDHG2zCCjRcodhknT4-jLNfl2RjsCp01EBrBfc6JvPw91rKVRciEew5j6Ya0uDqhojfYX_2A0s0yXOtHPPArMM15zYI2t3uqgEa_rbuYjr8BlBxTxRptwTLIHD1FLI92/s1600/364.mu.mu.pv.VeronicaFalls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1nHJBRIxP5mbJDHG2zCCjRcodhknT4-jLNfl2RjsCp01EBrBfc6JvPw91rKVRciEew5j6Ya0uDqhojfYX_2A0s0yXOtHPPArMM15zYI2t3uqgEa_rbuYjr8BlBxTxRptwTLIHD1FLI92/s400/364.mu.mu.pv.VeronicaFalls.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes it takes seeing a band in concert to decide what level of fandom to gravitate towards. As someone who can't live without music, I literally love hundreds of bands and artists in all different genres. Between LPs, CDs, cassettes, and downloads; I feel the need to keep thousands of albums in my possession. Some of which are sadly only listened to a few times while others I've been obsessed with for more than a decade. Still with others, I'll go years without listening to, and then suddenly fall in love all over again. The bands and artists that span my collection range from: groups I like but have no desire to see in concert; groups I enjoy but would think twice before before picking up that third album; and then there are the ones that reach a peak in my musical obsession where they can do no wrong. Sure, some of their music is better than others, but you learn to love all their albums equally, as though they were a brother or sister. In cases like this, I don't feel the need to listen to music samples on iTunes before pre-ordering a new release; and I take every opportunity I get to see these artists in concert (Guided By Voices, Ryan Adams, The Black Angels, Wilco, and David Bowie all come to mind). </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Veronica Falls were a borderline band for me: I was one step towards becoming a fan for life, and one step towards being happy with the occasional new release. After falling in love with their debut single in 2010 ("Found Love in a Graveyard"), and everything else they've put out since, I finally got the chance to see them in concert. This time I made sure to get my tickets early, after just barely missing them at South By Southwest a few years back. I'm still fairly new to Chicago, so it was a pleasure to not only catch the band but also to see them at The Empty Bottle. With an excellent beer selection (including $3 Lonestar) and decent prices, a photo booth, arcade games, pool tables, great sound, this intimate rock club might be my favorite venue ever! The crowd was largely comprised of young and skinny, fashion conscious hipsters, so I didn't quite fit in, but who cares.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A local indie duo known as <b><a href="http://loveofeverything.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">Love of Everything</a></b> opened up the show. Led by the soft vocaled frontman - Bobby Burg, he looper layers upon layers of noisy guitar which only got more and more intense as their 30 minute set went on. At one point, he used an old flash camera next to the pickup of his guitar to add some interesting spacey effects. This was my first time witnessing these guys but won't be my last.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/coldshowersband" target="_blank">Cold Showers</a></b> were next up and could have been an excellent headliner on their own. Their dark brooding goth tunes were a perfect soundtrack to a vampire party. With echoes of The National, The Cure, and The Smiths, the band sound was full of big pounding drums and cold bass lines, deep baritone vocals, and a guitarist that seemed to be a big fan of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Marr" target="_blank">Johnny Marr</a>. I was also unfamiliar with this band but really enjoyed their set. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://veronicafalls.com/" target="_blank">Veronica Falls</a></b> closed the show and from the moment they walked on stage, they were</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">everything I hoped they would be and more! While watching the gig, I came to the </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">conclusion that if I were to form any band I wanted starting tomorrow, it wouldn't be too far</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">off from this group. Two girls, two guys; a nice concoction of dark subject matter with light</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and shimmery musicianship; vocal harmonies that were so spot-on you'd think they were lip</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">syncing; the Velvet Underground influenced chugging guitar rhythms of James Hoare; even the look and movement of the band onstage was all too perfect for words. Compared with the</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">more polished studio renditions of their songs, there was very little difference (other than the</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">guitars being </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">slightly out of tune on a song). However hearing these songs live with more</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">prominent rhythms, louder guitar playing, and seeing the vocals all falling into sync, it really</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wasn't an issue. A couple of the songs that they played which were some of my least favorite</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">on their respective LPs ("Wedding Day" and "Buried Alive") finally clicked with me after</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hearing them in context with the rest of the set. As far as the other songs played, with only</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">two albums under their belt, it already felt like a greatest hits set.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After witnessing this UK band in concert, they have cemented my feelings of being one of my favorite new bands of the last 10 years..... And I will blindly buy everything they put in front of me!</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Set List</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tell Me</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Heart Beats</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beachy Head</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Broken Toy</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Waiting for Something to Happen</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bad Feeling</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Found Love in a Graveyard</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If You Still Want Me</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Buried Alive</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wedding Day</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Teenage</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Come on Over</span></div>
<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Encore</span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stephen</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Right Side of My Brain</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check out these bands at the following links:</span></b></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love of Everything - <a href="http://loveofeverything.bandcamp.com/">http://loveofeverything.bandcamp.com/</a></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cold Showers - <a href="http://www.facebook.com/coldshowersband">http://www.facebook.com/coldshowersband</a></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Veronica Falls - <a href="http://veronicafalls.com/">http://veronicafalls.com/</a></span></i>mega-superior goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398105652723315971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894481376755928125.post-22547338292126375232013-03-11T14:55:00.000-05:002013-03-11T14:55:00.671-05:00Eels at The Vic Theater, Chicago - 2/23/13<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68Wdx57qzsu6f_LRzqA1eh8Apw1X_m6s-zZXLnilMzqKtOgCQT8nLLSo7FxCFCt9_VgZXD0346FExVQltlceqhVqHlWAr0cR3coh-d7gVmDmMBaE7-M5z66PAww5We4PLgeN3Jwky-HL7/s1600/CP-Eels-02-22-13-by-Erik-Hess-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68Wdx57qzsu6f_LRzqA1eh8Apw1X_m6s-zZXLnilMzqKtOgCQT8nLLSo7FxCFCt9_VgZXD0346FExVQltlceqhVqHlWAr0cR3coh-d7gVmDmMBaE7-M5z66PAww5We4PLgeN3Jwky-HL7/s320/CP-Eels-02-22-13-by-Erik-Hess-05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll start this review off by admitting I've been a little out of the loop with Eels over the past seven years. The trilogy of releases in 2009 and 2010 didn't connect with me like with many fans. And the latest - <i>Wonderful, Glorious</i> although a welcome return still didn't floor me like </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2005's amazing - </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Blinking Lights and Other Revelations. </i>Still I really love Mark Oliver Everett (aka: E) and the gang and continue to see them in concert and check out every bit of new music I can find.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Saturday night, the Eels took the stage in some of the niftiest stage costumes I've seen in a long time - Blue Striped Adidas Tracksuits straight out of the 80's, and Aviator Sunglasses! Band members - E, The Chet, P Boo, Kool G Murder, and Knuckles were not to be messed with as they walked on stage one by one; opening the show with an impending wall of feedback, and bombastic drums that led into the first track off the new album - "Bombs Away". With E playing the rain stick, "Bombs Away" sounded every bit as energetic and fun as the studio version; as was the case on almost all of the songs from <i>Wonderful Glorious</i>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What I love about the Eels live show is the band's ability to rearrange old songs with every tour. They don't simply play the same songs every night, performing them note for note like the studio renditions. Instead old songs are re-imagined to sound like they were just written last week. Tonight, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Dirty Girl" was played slower with E stretching the syllables out of every note. "Fresh Feeling" was given a more jangly, feel good, summertime vibe. While "Trouble with Dreams" wasn't as punchy but took on a jammier noise rock theme between verses. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not only were these new renditions surprising but so were the choice of cover songs. The band showcased their instrumental prowess and delved into Fleetwood Mac's "Oh Well" which featured P-Boo and The Chet trading off bluesy guitar solos and E singing in his perfect raspy growl; and "Itchykoo Park" by the Small Faces which is 60's pop at its' finest and sadly somewhat unknown in America. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Between songs, Everett took the time to congratulate each members of the band for a job well done, yelling "Good Job!" into the mic, and sprinting off "the singer's riser" to give celebratory bear hugs.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Eels put on a great show but also never took themselves too seriously. During band introductions, Everett talked about receiving an "electronic mail" the other day from guitarist - The Chet. In it, The Chet announced that it was the tenth year that the two of them had been playing music together. To mark the occasion, E and The Chet renewed their vows onstage, while drummer - Knuckles performed a romantic impromptu performance of "Wind Beneath My Wings". The gig ended with not one, but three encores including one with the house lights on, and half the audience cleared out of the venue. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Set List</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bombs Away</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kinda Fuzzy</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dog Faced Boy</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh Well</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tremendous Dynamite</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In My Dreams</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the Ropes</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dirty Girl</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Climbing to the Moon</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peach Blossom</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trouble with Dreams</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Turnaround</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New Alphabet</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fresh Feeling</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Sound of Fear</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wind Beneath My Wings -->Go Knuckles</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Itchykoo Park</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Souljacker Part 1</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wonderful Glorious</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Encore 1 </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brave Little Soldier</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Beloved Monster/Mr. E's Beautiful Blues</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Encore 2 </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fresh Blood</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Encore 3 </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stick Together</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Go Eels</span></div>
mega-superior goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398105652723315971noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894481376755928125.post-81905650629595986642013-03-06T16:46:00.000-06:002013-03-06T16:46:00.218-06:00A Lost Classic: Evan Dando - Baby I'm Bored (2003)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8xPnsfDgBCZe0Z2U6eErW7QxxE4Zo6x0mH3MYRjz9kvJY_tSVJWtZYDY5rdH_xLNMNW1wkJVVP0XLYxFwmCN6mKQ-Fdbyd1aK5D3ezBAoIL0KoVGR4LHCc0xLI99-pvQrbqdFMBneL51/s1600/evan+dando+baby+i'm+bored.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8xPnsfDgBCZe0Z2U6eErW7QxxE4Zo6x0mH3MYRjz9kvJY_tSVJWtZYDY5rdH_xLNMNW1wkJVVP0XLYxFwmCN6mKQ-Fdbyd1aK5D3ezBAoIL0KoVGR4LHCc0xLI99-pvQrbqdFMBneL51/s320/evan+dando+baby+i'm+bored.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
There are very few singers-songwriters that I can listen to at any time of the day and not get a little tired of. Even the greats- like Bob Dylan, Neil Young - all have small quirks that sound like nails on a chalkboard when played at the wrong moment. Evan Dando hasn't had nearly as much influence or success as either of these guys, some would even characterize his band - The Lemonheads as a lost 90's one-hit-wonder group. Still there's something to be said for being able to write a short, often funny, catchy tune and deliver it with the laid back ease of Evan Dando.<br />
<br />
I've seen Evan in concert many times. Each time he rarely spoke to the crowd except for saying "Good night" at the end of the show. He never seemed wasted or like he didn't want to be there though. All of the shows were 30-40 songs long and featured wide ranging covers from Whitney Houston to Gram Parsons to The Misfits. Each song was always sung as if it was his own- never forced, always relaxed, yet always moving. Evan has always seemed to follow the beat of his own drum. Whether taking his time to write and release a new Lemonheads record, or deciding not to show up at record store autograph signings, he has never seemed to treat music as a job. Still when you meet Evan in person or listen to his latest release, it feels like reuniting with an old friend.<br />
<br />
Although Dando mentioned in interviews that most of the albums by the Lemonheads in the 90's were basically "solo" albums, to this day <i>Baby I'm Bored</i> (title refers to the sticker on the back of many cars - Baby on Board) remains pretty far out there compared with the Lemonheads oevre.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCES3z8wFy3cZsaecqToBMuVSaQFGbdvP6qFoKkC9U0fqSE9v_sglmCOEiauQrpNse-KAqnrZbMuZliklSA_cgO-G720g2OKftGbNYwbDirRXangHaf9LGfXJutX-MM_3LMBcv5-zhE9Z/s1600/no+depression+evan+dando+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCES3z8wFy3cZsaecqToBMuVSaQFGbdvP6qFoKkC9U0fqSE9v_sglmCOEiauQrpNse-KAqnrZbMuZliklSA_cgO-G720g2OKftGbNYwbDirRXangHaf9LGfXJutX-MM_3LMBcv5-zhE9Z/s320/no+depression+evan+dando+3.jpg" width="300" /></a>The hazy, sometimes druggy vibe of the album feels like a dream, somewhere in between falling asleep and waking up. At times there is a dizzying sense of being lost and drifting along. Still, this short and sweet album features just enough quirkiness in the production to keep the album from ever coming close to feeling as though it's dragging along.<br />
<br />
As of 2013, it remains the only official solo album released by him. When it came out in 2003, it was his first studio release since The Lemonheads <i>Car Button Cloth</i>, seven years earlier. During that time, which some had called his "lost weekend", he traveled around the world, developed addictions to heroin and alcohol but kicked the habits, and met his wife - a model named Elizabeth Moses. His nomadic lifestyle during these 7 years seemed to have a large effect on the finished product. Pulled together from 22 songs that were recorded in three very different studios, with different producers, and different musicians in each one, gives <i>Baby I'm Bored</i> a fairly eclectic feel, musically. However the songs themselves and Evan's vocals tend to ground it and make it all sound very cohesive.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>"I'll tell you what the deal is," he finally says. "This record was just the cumulative process of gathering enough tunes. I threw away way more songs than I've ever thrown away before. We have tons of B-sides and odds and sods and whatever. Because I really wanted to get to the point where I had twelve collections of noises that I could really stand behind 100 percent. I don't think of them as songs. They're just collections of sounds. I waited and waited and waited. I was spending my own money, going into studios, and waiting until I had twelve songs that I really liked and that all fit together as an album....."</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Evan Dando (from interview by Matt Ashare/No Depression)</span><br />
<br />
He mentioned that his two major catalysts for finishing this album (which started in 1999), were witnessing the 9/11 Twin Towers attack from his apartment down the street in New York City; and the encouragement from friends Ben Kweller and Ben Lee who pushed him to carry on and finish the project. Besides encouraging Evan, Ben Lee also played a monumental role in the creation of the album, writing two of the record's best songs (and within a week of each other) - the beautiful "All My Life" (featuring the mantra-like chorus: "All my life I thought I needed/ all the things I didn't need at all") and "Hard Drive" (an acoustic song about the constant wheel of life and the feeling of spinning out of control).<br />
<br />
In 2000, Dando began writing and recording songs for <i>Baby I'm Bored</i>, with producer Jon Brion in his Los Angeles studio. Brion who was another major contributor to the album, and best known for his soundtrack work, produced many of the songs, and played a mish-mash of instruments from drums to marxophone. Together they co-wrote almost half of the songs, which gave the finished product a smart, almost Beatle-esque pop finish. The best of which, a catchy song called "It Looks Like You" has a sunny California country rock vibe, with great harmonies, and some excellent production in the bright layering of acoustic guitars. Why Do You Do This to Yourself"(which could be autobiographical), is a deceptively spare acoustic country song, where Dando seems to channel one of his heroes - Gram Parsons. While, "Stop My Head" and "Repeat" are two slightly experimental tracks you'd likely never hear on a Lemonheads album.<br />
<br />
If there were any songs that seemed to be more in line with The Lemonheads circa 1993, it would be those recorded during sessions in Brooklyn, New York. Featuring bassist - Royston Langdon, from the Bowie-loving glam rock group - Spacehog; and guitarist - Chris Brokaw, from the underrated Boston alternative band - Come; Dando is backed by an inventive group of hard rocking musicians. Both Langdon and Brokaw provide some well textured noisy guitar parts on "My Idea"(a co-write between Brokaw and Tom Morgan) and "Rancho Santa Fe" (a song influenced by Heaven's Gate). "Waking Up" is a weird experimental pop tune and another highlight, which Dando wrote with Langdon, and features some out of this world vocal layering.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9AkmYShCiJ9OIsgHjohtFWj83C3fxWAuQLTjbzIUKmAu2IJhDLkrPAy6zVmBgRlZ77kaxYJUj_mctMlEO1RoNu-VVF3EYmRnRZRzl1XtjXioEGBiGRC1uT0XE_i1ubBFCYZj7oTT0eBj/s1600/the-lemonheads-the-troc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9AkmYShCiJ9OIsgHjohtFWj83C3fxWAuQLTjbzIUKmAu2IJhDLkrPAy6zVmBgRlZ77kaxYJUj_mctMlEO1RoNu-VVF3EYmRnRZRzl1XtjXioEGBiGRC1uT0XE_i1ubBFCYZj7oTT0eBj/s320/the-lemonheads-the-troc.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
The last set of sessions for <i>Baby I'm Bored</i> which took place in Tucson; offered a nice contrast with less production, and a more live, rough around the edges sound. Although only spawning two songs ("Hard Drive" and "In the Grass All Wine Colored"), the backing band, which featured members of Giant Sand and Calexico, provided the perfect backdrop for Dando's vocals with their eerie desert sound.<br />
<br />
Although the album wasn't a huge seller, there remains to be very few that sound anything quite like <i>Baby I'm Bored</i>. Timeless and effortless sounding, yet to this day it still holds plenty of surprises for listeners, and remains a staple of my collection. There's no doubt that Evan Dando deserved a break after almost twenty years of playing in the Lemonheads. During the seven year wait between albums, Dando took time to live as a human being again - traveling, kicking drugs, and meeting his future wife; the album proves that once in a while good things take time.<br />
<br />
Evan went on to put out two more new Lemonheads releases in 2006 and 2009, and one archival release in 2012.mega-superior goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398105652723315971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894481376755928125.post-55468510413046488372013-03-01T10:00:00.000-06:002013-03-01T11:11:47.116-06:00Roadrunner : The Official Rock n' Roll Song of Massachusetts<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3EMZCshBWo18irh64CVgQD9J9F8exI006ho4LDgz0JWSIvBOwIVLuDv4DWm2D6NDXxU9z6sBYPAzbek9WHsyzini_f5WhTTEzmZan3sU8VXAjQW2-eogbXskKkof8g8layjkDeJIMSds/s1600/Jonathan_Richman___the_Modern_Lovers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3EMZCshBWo18irh64CVgQD9J9F8exI006ho4LDgz0JWSIvBOwIVLuDv4DWm2D6NDXxU9z6sBYPAzbek9WHsyzini_f5WhTTEzmZan3sU8VXAjQW2-eogbXskKkof8g8layjkDeJIMSds/s320/Jonathan_Richman___the_Modern_Lovers.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Is there really any other song out there that makes you prouder to be from Massachusetts than "Roadrunner" by The Modern Lovers?</div>
</div>
<br />
Although I was born in a different time and place, I spent nearly 8 years of my life in the Boston area, and have always felt a strong connection to the place and the song. Many nights I've spent driving along the pot-hole filled roads of route 9 and 128, past the Stop and Shops. Usually there was always wicked awful traffic, but those long trips in and out of the city gave me plenty of time to listen to life-changing music. I was young, and dumb, and didn't have much money; but I did have the power of rock n' roll radio blaring from my car speakers. "Roadrunner" and the rest of the Modern Lovers' debut album from 76' was a soundtrack to those times.<br />
<br />
Jonathan Richman isn't a household name. He's probably best known as the serenading singer in the film - <i>There's Something About Mary</i>. But over the years he has influenced many artists. He's been called the "Godfather of Punk", with songs that have been covered by acts as diverse as The Sex Pistols, Iggy Pop, Frank Black, and David Bowie.<br />
<br />
Recently I came across a bunch of articles that there were several bills being introduced to state legislature to pick an official rock n' roll song for the state of Massachusetts. A few years ago, a former A&R rep from Sub Pop Records put together a petition which was presented to Dorchester representative - Marty Walsh. Since then other state representatives have come to the forefront and suggested that "Dream On" by Aerosmith would be a more suitable choice. Of the song, Rep. Josh Cutler calls it "a classic ballad that's all about holding on to your dreams and seizing an opportunity".<br />
<br />
I'll admit it's pretty great song, I have a soft spot for Aerosmith and I do like the band's early years. They're awesome in concert, they're uber talented, but where's the connection to Massachusetts? Although they formed in Boston, they weren't all from the state. Whereas Jonathan Richman was born just down the road in Natick. "Dream On" could be about anyone in any town, but "Roadrunner" is total - "I'm in love with Massachusetts!".<br />
<br />
<b>Join the Facebook Fan Page at:</b><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Make-Roadrunner-Massachusetts-Rock-Song/131302800353780?group_id=0">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Make-Roadrunner-Massachusetts-Rock-Song/131302800353780?group_id=0</a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Gy88-5pc7c8" width="420"></iframe>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;">Roadrunner, roadrunner</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;">Going faster miles an hour</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Gonna drive past the Stop 'n' Shop</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">With the radio on</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">I'm in love with Massachusetts</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">And the neon when it's cold outside</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">And the highway when it's late at night</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Got the radio on</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">I'm like the roadrunner</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Alright</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">I'm in love with modern moonlight</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">128 when it's dark outside</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">I'm in love with Massachusetts</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">I'm in love with the radio on</span></span></div>
mega-superior goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398105652723315971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894481376755928125.post-5136564775247889922013-02-26T13:46:00.000-06:002013-02-26T13:46:00.643-06:00Eels - Wonderful, Glorious (2013)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbLlGIUc_yT36gqyTZaBx1p4UUs2Y8Ihm6MeFCxhpzszty0XV2ZQmqB6nNxqTtskvfryM_DpHWJOzLMlvJh-eASQ7VJ6euRerOn7AgQvj0NkHw19RwfqM7EJkeO4WETKm2JeMRXyE3lrR/s1600/MI0003458069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbLlGIUc_yT36gqyTZaBx1p4UUs2Y8Ihm6MeFCxhpzszty0XV2ZQmqB6nNxqTtskvfryM_DpHWJOzLMlvJh-eASQ7VJ6euRerOn7AgQvj0NkHw19RwfqM7EJkeO4WETKm2JeMRXyE3lrR/s200/MI0003458069.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
After the rapid fire release of three studio albums in 2009 and 2010, which tested my loyalty as an Eels fan, I was a little slow-footed about listening to this album. In recent interviews, Mark Oliver Everett (aka: E) had talked about having absolutely no songs written and no plan whatsoever when he entered the studio to record <i>Wonderful, Glorious</i>. After one listen to the first single "Peach Blossom", I was prepared for the worst. But to my surprise,<i> Wonderful, Glorious</i> is everything the title suggests, and without question - the strongest Eels album since 2005's <i>Blinking Lights and Other Revelations.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Now approaching 50 years of age, E has had a long history of constantly changing up his sound. In concert, he tends to alter studio versions of songs making them unrecognizable to the original. While in the studio he changes out band members regularly from album to album. This time around for the recording sessions, he decided to keep his all-star lineup from the last two tours in tact. Recorded at Everett's new studio in Los Feliz, CA, the songs on <i>Wonderful, Glorious</i> were written with the band. Most came out of jamming and experimenting in the studio; with E sifting through old notebooks to write the lyrics.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><i>“Almost always when I make an album, I do go into it with this concept in mind about what I want the whole album to be about and what I want it to sound like musically in some way,” he said. “The difference in this new album is it’s the first time I think I didn’t have that in mind. I had no plans at all, and that was the plan—to have no plan. And it was a good lesson for me to see that you could do that and come out with something cohesive that did end up having a theme to it. It worked out very organically in the studio as we were doing it. None of it was arranged.”</i> - E (from article by Brad Nelson/Black Book Mag)</span><br />
<br />
With the last few Eels records being said to represent desire, heartbreak, and renewal; <i>Wonderful, Glorious</i> paints a different more optimistic picture. Here, the common theme seems to be standing tall and being joyful in a world full of chaos. And he does it brilliatly from start to finish. On the catchy rocker and second single - "New Alphabet" he sings: "When the world stops making sense/I make a new alphabet". While on the slow and steady favorite "On the Ropes" - "I've got enough left inside this tired heart /to win this world and walk on my feet/no defeat"<br />
<br />
It's amazing how well structured these songs are, yet they still have a wild intensity and messy racket about them. Full of life, and filled with infectious grooves; these songs are destined to sound absolutely nuts in concert. <i>Wonderful, Glorious</i> gets even better on repeated listens. "I Am Building a Shrine" is a tribute to love, full of beautiful soundscapes which still have me scratching my head as to how they did that? Other highlights that instantly stuck out to me were Christmas anthem - "Open My Presents", classic - "True Original", and the bouncy - "You're My Friend". But the biggest standout of all is the closing title track which ends the album on a glorious high note. E shouts out to the heavens - "My love is beautiful and here for the taking/It's strong and pure and utterly earth shaking/My love has brought me here to show you it's true/A wretch like me can make it through."<br />
<br />
E and his revolving band have always been best when turning tragedy into art. This time, with a new approach, Eels have surprised me yet again. After 20+ years, Everett seems to have finally come to grips with the tragedies in his life, and created a record that is truly inspiring. <i>Wonderful, Glorious</i> has turned me back and made me a fan for life.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQrQszBexAPnmH21YIW2p0UMLxckCwY1juv2eTrEsA7mQmkgtfZDYF8KMkwoRKeA3VCB95ekuDI1UTtK3uRpgGOm6KOug96MppPcptbANgznJ7LeqltZaoIIjC0SiHws83IpYY8t1RPgV/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQrQszBexAPnmH21YIW2p0UMLxckCwY1juv2eTrEsA7mQmkgtfZDYF8KMkwoRKeA3VCB95ekuDI1UTtK3uRpgGOm6KOug96MppPcptbANgznJ7LeqltZaoIIjC0SiHws83IpYY8t1RPgV/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQrQszBexAPnmH21YIW2p0UMLxckCwY1juv2eTrEsA7mQmkgtfZDYF8KMkwoRKeA3VCB95ekuDI1UTtK3uRpgGOm6KOug96MppPcptbANgznJ7LeqltZaoIIjC0SiHws83IpYY8t1RPgV/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQrQszBexAPnmH21YIW2p0UMLxckCwY1juv2eTrEsA7mQmkgtfZDYF8KMkwoRKeA3VCB95ekuDI1UTtK3uRpgGOm6KOug96MppPcptbANgznJ7LeqltZaoIIjC0SiHws83IpYY8t1RPgV/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQrQszBexAPnmH21YIW2p0UMLxckCwY1juv2eTrEsA7mQmkgtfZDYF8KMkwoRKeA3VCB95ekuDI1UTtK3uRpgGOm6KOug96MppPcptbANgznJ7LeqltZaoIIjC0SiHws83IpYY8t1RPgV/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQrQszBexAPnmH21YIW2p0UMLxckCwY1juv2eTrEsA7mQmkgtfZDYF8KMkwoRKeA3VCB95ekuDI1UTtK3uRpgGOm6KOug96MppPcptbANgznJ7LeqltZaoIIjC0SiHws83IpYY8t1RPgV/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQrQszBexAPnmH21YIW2p0UMLxckCwY1juv2eTrEsA7mQmkgtfZDYF8KMkwoRKeA3VCB95ekuDI1UTtK3uRpgGOm6KOug96MppPcptbANgznJ7LeqltZaoIIjC0SiHws83IpYY8t1RPgV/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQrQszBexAPnmH21YIW2p0UMLxckCwY1juv2eTrEsA7mQmkgtfZDYF8KMkwoRKeA3VCB95ekuDI1UTtK3uRpgGOm6KOug96MppPcptbANgznJ7LeqltZaoIIjC0SiHws83IpYY8t1RPgV/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a> out of 5</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/cumTHJHoHIM" width="560"></iframe>
mega-superior goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398105652723315971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894481376755928125.post-59223002577373254802013-02-22T21:00:00.000-06:002013-02-22T21:00:04.660-06:00Parquet Courts - Light Up Gold (2012)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4aUzmRXScMwjoyJYV2v-mhcE-70Ml-byNw0x3msQ_sA7rOE8kK76jSvsCq65n4fcRjfpjpveosa7_MtEi_pjuKnqgWaBK9La4FytlZtrGCbVC1AnnakgaWp6otcaX7cNF-EeOIP4nW6v/s1600/lightupgoldcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4aUzmRXScMwjoyJYV2v-mhcE-70Ml-byNw0x3msQ_sA7rOE8kK76jSvsCq65n4fcRjfpjpveosa7_MtEi_pjuKnqgWaBK9La4FytlZtrGCbVC1AnnakgaWp6otcaX7cNF-EeOIP4nW6v/s320/lightupgoldcover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This is the album I've been waiting for since <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfer_Blood" target="_blank">Surfer Blood</a> released their debut album - <i>Astro Coast</i> in 2010. <i>Light Up Gold</i> is an enormous breath of fresh air in today's music landscape and an early contender for my favorite musical discovery of the year. I admit I'm a little late hearing about these guys and sadly missed their recent show in Chicago, but after hearing this album for the 20th time I can say I'm a fan for life. The buzz behind Parquet Courts has been well deserved and is spreading rapidly with recent reviews in both Rolling Stone and Spin magazine.<br />
<br />
To give you some background on these wide-eyed, late-twenty something guys; they started out of the Denton, TX punk scene. While there, vocalist and guitarist Andrew Savage played in the somewhat well known indie groups - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fergus_%26_Geronimo" target="_blank">Fergus and Geronimo</a>, and Teenage Cool Kids. Eventually they migrated to New York City, where they currently go to school, and work normal jobs. Andrew Savage formed the band with his brother Max Savage on drums, Sean Yeaton on bass, and Austin Brown on guitar and vocals. Shortly after forming in 2011, they recorded and released their debut album - <i>American Specialties</i> on cassette. In August of last year <i>Light Up Gold </i>was released as a limited edition vinyl pressing of 500 copies. The album was then re-released in January on the What's Your Rupture label.<br />
<br />
<i>Light Up Gold</i> is more of a full band effort than <i>American Specialties</i>. And even though the album was recorded in their New York City practice space in a quick 3 days and 30 hours, it sounds anything but lo-fi. Musically their sound is familiar but you can never quite put your finger on who their main influences are. Scrounging through my music collection; I noticed some similarities with late 70's early 80's post-punk bands like The Fall, The Modern Lovers, The Talking Heads, and Wire. But they're not close enough to any of these bands to be considered a copycat act. Part of what makes these tunes so addictive is they never hang around in one place too long. Most of the tracks stay under 2 minutes and when they do go longer (as in the 5 minute "Stoned and Starving"), the songs jam along like a rickety old roller coaster ride in a cloud of pot smoke.<br />
<br />
On the surface the lyrics sound tossed off and goofy (in a good way). But when you dig deeper, these guys can really write some excellent lyrics full of humor and traces of classic beat poetry. On one of the many highlights - "Stoned and Starving", he sings "I was debating Swedish Fish/Roasted Peanuts or licorice/I was so stoned and starving". Even more impressive might be the delivery of the songs. There's a confident swagger in the singing of both Andrew Savage and Austin Brown. They know just how to say things at the exact moment to get your attention and pull you into a song. On the killer opening track - "Master of My Craft", the song is sung from the perspective of a know-it-all big shot talking to someone below him. He pulls out the refrain of "A Moment of Your Time?/Forget About It", pronouncing "Fuh-get-about it" in a thick Brooklyn accent. It's too great not to love! Even the name - Parquet Courts shits coolness (Immediately giving me flashbacks of Larry Bird, The Celtics, and The Boston Garden).<br />
<br />
<i>Light Up Gold</i> is an album for the ages that I will pass down to my children, and my children will pass down to their children and so on. I could spend a couple more paragraphs talking about other highlights but it's better if you listen for yourself. (see link at the bottom). <i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">The band is already performing songs for a follow-up album which is planned for release on the What's Your Rupture label. They'll likely be touring a lot this year, so make sure to catch their live show when they come to your town!</span></i></i></span></i></i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOdrhfySjY5PlMJdAZnvLkVwloVBY8bUJRJHJl8koDT-GeWKQ1i4PT2nocrJvVjWyay4Tlt35UoY_tGPKE5M0z8wB7BMJ80jpRljEW_02wEygoQa8waa0wCYXoOttVmcJFfMsLTTZ8sQ6/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOdrhfySjY5PlMJdAZnvLkVwloVBY8bUJRJHJl8koDT-GeWKQ1i4PT2nocrJvVjWyay4Tlt35UoY_tGPKE5M0z8wB7BMJ80jpRljEW_02wEygoQa8waa0wCYXoOttVmcJFfMsLTTZ8sQ6/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOdrhfySjY5PlMJdAZnvLkVwloVBY8bUJRJHJl8koDT-GeWKQ1i4PT2nocrJvVjWyay4Tlt35UoY_tGPKE5M0z8wB7BMJ80jpRljEW_02wEygoQa8waa0wCYXoOttVmcJFfMsLTTZ8sQ6/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOdrhfySjY5PlMJdAZnvLkVwloVBY8bUJRJHJl8koDT-GeWKQ1i4PT2nocrJvVjWyay4Tlt35UoY_tGPKE5M0z8wB7BMJ80jpRljEW_02wEygoQa8waa0wCYXoOttVmcJFfMsLTTZ8sQ6/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOdrhfySjY5PlMJdAZnvLkVwloVBY8bUJRJHJl8koDT-GeWKQ1i4PT2nocrJvVjWyay4Tlt35UoY_tGPKE5M0z8wB7BMJ80jpRljEW_02wEygoQa8waa0wCYXoOttVmcJFfMsLTTZ8sQ6/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOdrhfySjY5PlMJdAZnvLkVwloVBY8bUJRJHJl8koDT-GeWKQ1i4PT2nocrJvVjWyay4Tlt35UoY_tGPKE5M0z8wB7BMJ80jpRljEW_02wEygoQa8waa0wCYXoOttVmcJFfMsLTTZ8sQ6/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOdrhfySjY5PlMJdAZnvLkVwloVBY8bUJRJHJl8koDT-GeWKQ1i4PT2nocrJvVjWyay4Tlt35UoY_tGPKE5M0z8wB7BMJ80jpRljEW_02wEygoQa8waa0wCYXoOttVmcJFfMsLTTZ8sQ6/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOdrhfySjY5PlMJdAZnvLkVwloVBY8bUJRJHJl8koDT-GeWKQ1i4PT2nocrJvVjWyay4Tlt35UoY_tGPKE5M0z8wB7BMJ80jpRljEW_02wEygoQa8waa0wCYXoOttVmcJFfMsLTTZ8sQ6/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFr1ch43Q16yNYyoJw6PeLBOSb7nCkcKJZ64heIU_q9KVkLWGr8s2_QJcwOG1cZw1cq2lmR52hIfEflj9ofo4FpEpmthgAPfhBdYy8XB9yrvJs-3SKcTL5xksSNGva83A3jpqjE5SAVjgw/s1600/ear-half.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFr1ch43Q16yNYyoJw6PeLBOSb7nCkcKJZ64heIU_q9KVkLWGr8s2_QJcwOG1cZw1cq2lmR52hIfEflj9ofo4FpEpmthgAPfhBdYy8XB9yrvJs-3SKcTL5xksSNGva83A3jpqjE5SAVjgw/s1600/ear-half.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a>out of 5</div>
<br />
<b>Bandcamp link</b><br />
<a href="http://dulltools.bandcamp.com/album/light-up-gold">http://dulltools.bandcamp.com/album/light-up-gold</a>mega-superior goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398105652723315971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894481376755928125.post-37479279492710841682013-02-18T15:50:00.000-06:002013-02-18T15:50:00.331-06:008 Classic/Memorable/Epic "Last" Shows in Rock History<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHUlQzlnGB0dcDnU-oGqJicI8Kqzzv_SMWuu1DhorY3tOG1qynVo0gL3D-pY36TiI0cpHMhCeDqaQ7l6_1KzY2Yfo1Ce-shKctIQpp1GfQZXxS_Ce-w2uvu60LRpVCe5kpkFfcLajHJ_-/s1600/120402-lcd-soundsystem_1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHUlQzlnGB0dcDnU-oGqJicI8Kqzzv_SMWuu1DhorY3tOG1qynVo0gL3D-pY36TiI0cpHMhCeDqaQ7l6_1KzY2Yfo1Ce-shKctIQpp1GfQZXxS_Ce-w2uvu60LRpVCe5kpkFfcLajHJ_-/s1600/120402-lcd-soundsystem_1.png" /></a></div>
<br />
The other night I was watching the LCD Soundsystem concert film - <i>Shut Up and Play the Hits</i> which chronicles the band's final show on April 2nd, 2011. The concert footage blew me away mostly because of James Murphy's voice which sounded even more impressive live than on the albums. Also the crowd was so excited and the energy was so hypnotic, I had to get up and jump around my living room. Lastly comedian/beat boxer/soul singer Reggie Watts and indie gods - The Arcade Fire also made an appearance. I really wish I could have been there!<br />
<br />
Anyway it got me thinking about all of the great "final" farewell shows in rock history and thought it might be a cool idea to revisit some of them. Some of these concerts have been released as award winning live albums and concert films, others are available on bootleg recordings, and still others we only know about from those lucky enough to attend. Also you might have noticed the apostrophes around the words - "last" and "final". Because as we all know, bands don't stay broken up for long. Most of these artists have reformed in one way or another, sometimes with new members (Smashing Pumpkins) or reunited "classic" lineups (Guided By Voices).<br />
<br />
<b>Also, I know I'm probably missing a ton of important shows, but let me know what else should be on this list</b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
(in no particular order)</div>
<br />
<b>The Band - The Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - 11/25/76 </b><br />
Released as a live album and a Martin Scorsese directed film titled <i>The Last Waltz</i>, this remains one of the greatest rock n' roll films of all time. The five hour concert was loaded with guest appearances by old touring mates - Bob Dylan and Ronnie Hawkins, as well as Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, and many more. Over the years, the band would continue to occasionally record and play shows with altered lineups, but nothing ever came close to matching this incredible gig.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/eOi0tC00Luc" width="420"></iframe>
</div>
<br />
<b>The Smashing Pumpkins - The Metro, Chicago, IL - 10/20/00</b><br />
In May of 2000, Billy Corgan made a surprise announcement on the radio that the band was breaking up. Corgan eventually reformed Smashing Pumpkins with a different lineup but never again with guitarist - James Iha. This 38 song, four and a half hour long set took place at the same club where the band got their start, and featured guest appearances by Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick, The Frogs, and Corgan's father. Although never officially released in any format, there is a rumor that it will come out as part of the reissue of <i>Machina</i> in 2013. Below is a link to an audience recording of the performance:<br />
<a href="http://archive.org/details/tsp2000-12-02.brown.shn">http://archive.org/details/tsp2000-12-02.brown.shn</a><br />
<br />
<b>Morphine - Nel Nome de Rock Festival, Palestrina, Italy - 7/3/99</b><br />
There has and will never be a band that sounds quite like Morphine. This Boston experimental jazz rock/alternative group was fronted by ace singer and bassist Mark Sandman. Prior to this concert, the band had released four critically acclaimed albums and were well loved on college radio stations across the US. Sadly on July 3rd, 1999, Sandman collapsed on stage and was soon pronounced dead due to a heart attack. The band disbanded afterwards, but the remaining members continue to play in various other projects.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>The Sex Pistols - Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - 1/14/78</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Ever get the feeling you've been cheated? Good Night." These were the famous last words spoken by lead singer Johnny Rotten before slamming his mic to the ground and walking offstage at The Winterland Ballroom. Suffering from the flu, and tired of his manager, bandmates, and in the direction they were heading, the group disbanded. Rotten would go on to form the experimental band - Public Image Ltd.. Later in 2006, the band reunited for shows. The entire show was filmed and can be seen below:</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ooIz_Di2w3g" width="420"></iframe>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>The Replacements - Grant Park, Chicago, IL - 7/4/91</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
From what I've read, the band had no plans to break up until they walked onstage, in front of one of the largest audiences of their career. By 1991, half of the members from the original lineup were no longer in the band. This performance started strong, but as with many Replacements shows, things quickly got sloppy towards the end. Westerberg began hinting that this would be their last gig. During the last few numbers, each member of the band started handing their instruments over to their road crew to play. The show was broadcast on WXRT radio and has been widely bootlegged with the title <i>It Ain't Over Til the Fat Roadie Plays</i>. Listen to it below:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.slicingupeyeballs.com/2011/07/04/replacements-final-concert-chicago-july-4-1991-stream/">http://www.slicingupeyeballs.com/2011/07/04/replacements-final-concert-chicago-july-4-1991-stream/</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<b>The Beatles - Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA - 8/29/66</b><br />
Tired of not being able to hear themselves play over the wail of screaming fans, the Beatles decided not to tour anymore after this show. The eleven song set was short and sweet. John Lennon was the main catalyst for the decision, which led to much more time to experiment in the studio and record classics like <i>Revolver, Sgt Pepper,</i> and <i>Abbey Road</i>. Hear the show below:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hZqmEnjvS2M" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
<br />
<b>Guided By Voices - The Metro, Chicago 12/31/04 </b><br />
The "final" show from these prolific indie rock titans featured a 63 song set, an audience and band that had been obliterated from drinking tons of beer, and guest appearances from just about everyone who had ever played in the band. The band reformed in 2010, and released 3 new albums in 2012 alone. This complete concert was released on a DVD called <i>The Electrifying Conclusion</i>.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>David Bowie - Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK - 7/3/73 </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After touring for over a year behind Ziggy Stardust and Alladin Sane, David Bowie announced it would be his last show ever in London. Highly theatrical, mind bending, and very ahead of its' time, the performance was filmed and released as the concert film - <i>Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars</i>. Despite his announcement, Bowie would be back the following year with a very different, and equally stunning live show on the Diamond Dogs tour.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/G8sdsW93ThQ" width="420"></iframe>
</div>
<br />mega-superior goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398105652723315971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894481376755928125.post-43878502505604621502013-02-14T20:31:00.000-06:002013-02-16T13:16:15.451-06:00Veronica Falls - Waiting for Something to Happen (2013)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRQtW4CG-N_OSg3Th3egbzP8uL-Nkq3mWG0VEtdG-Ajdxky-Np7xgP4TeNUPxYpbjbqcq1YiTv17sQBWu1gMhRhvZuQyN4ReU_rQF0ttfTbF5yxs7mJOWrsY48sr8ZeydDtEH_hRbn40aA/s1600/4261748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRQtW4CG-N_OSg3Th3egbzP8uL-Nkq3mWG0VEtdG-Ajdxky-Np7xgP4TeNUPxYpbjbqcq1YiTv17sQBWu1gMhRhvZuQyN4ReU_rQF0ttfTbF5yxs7mJOWrsY48sr8ZeydDtEH_hRbn40aA/s1600/4261748.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
After putting out one of my favorite albums in 2011, the UK noise-pop foursome - Veronica Falls have followed it up fairly quickly with the release of <i>Waiting for Something to Happen</i>, their second studio album. With influences ranging from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Velvet_Underground" target="_blank">The Velvet Underground</a> to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pastels" target="_blank">The Pastels</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Vaselines" target="_blank">The Vaselines</a>, their debut was full of lovely four part harmonies led by guitarist - Roxanne Clifford, reverb drenched chugging rhythms, and creepy songs about stalkers, departed lovers, and suicide. The album struck an interesting balance of impending doom with catchy hooks and striking vocals.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>Waiting for Something to Happen</i> features some of what I loved about the first album, but overall is not quite as strong. Working with Rory Attwell (who also produced some of the band's early demos), the new album was recorded live in the studio in between tours last summer. Many of the songs were partly written beforehand and finished during the sessions; unlike the songs on their debut which had been played live for over a year and completely finished before entering the studio.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
On the second album, their playing has definitely improved but overall the songs are not as immediate. Still, the lead-off single - "My Heart Beats" is the best song they've recorded yet! Opening with some ear splitting feedback on guitar from James Hoare, the tune shows the band branching out into shoegaze and neo-psychedlia. The title track is also wonderful and goes into borderline jangle pop territory. Unfortunately for every song that seems to go towards a new bold direction, there are one or two that drag it backwards. "Falling Out" and "So Tired" sound as though they're simply going through the motions and re-writing old songs with new lyrics. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
That sense of "impending doom" on their debut is partly gone here. The mood is slightly more upbeat, even happy at times, which I have no problem with. However the doom and gloom lyrics have now been replaced with safer more "normal" topics such as breaking up is bad, falling in love sucks, and growing up is hard. Still Veronica Falls haven't abandoned the sound that made them tick. There's plenty of tasty harmonies (such as the excellent 2nd single - "Teenage") and the Lou Reed/Sterling Morrison guitar chug is still very much alive on "Broken Toy". Other notable highlights are the Halloween-meets-Pixies - "Shooting Star" and epic closer - "Last Conversation". This seems to be a bit of a transitional album, not as great as the first, but with some new elements and stronger more diverse arrangements at times.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQcPdcizIDVTWJ4jJOU5HLqpzxHM-2-eu4GwXx6DaWzyw7IzFqsI77FCaVy7xBcOQBgcPaV75O_sqJSqWXDAbe21zC5CRrphu1W7A7HtZ2W-GG1-AVp0jx6fnqvddFqkNBCs3tmA1StkK/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQcPdcizIDVTWJ4jJOU5HLqpzxHM-2-eu4GwXx6DaWzyw7IzFqsI77FCaVy7xBcOQBgcPaV75O_sqJSqWXDAbe21zC5CRrphu1W7A7HtZ2W-GG1-AVp0jx6fnqvddFqkNBCs3tmA1StkK/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQcPdcizIDVTWJ4jJOU5HLqpzxHM-2-eu4GwXx6DaWzyw7IzFqsI77FCaVy7xBcOQBgcPaV75O_sqJSqWXDAbe21zC5CRrphu1W7A7HtZ2W-GG1-AVp0jx6fnqvddFqkNBCs3tmA1StkK/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQcPdcizIDVTWJ4jJOU5HLqpzxHM-2-eu4GwXx6DaWzyw7IzFqsI77FCaVy7xBcOQBgcPaV75O_sqJSqWXDAbe21zC5CRrphu1W7A7HtZ2W-GG1-AVp0jx6fnqvddFqkNBCs3tmA1StkK/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQcPdcizIDVTWJ4jJOU5HLqpzxHM-2-eu4GwXx6DaWzyw7IzFqsI77FCaVy7xBcOQBgcPaV75O_sqJSqWXDAbe21zC5CRrphu1W7A7HtZ2W-GG1-AVp0jx6fnqvddFqkNBCs3tmA1StkK/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQcPdcizIDVTWJ4jJOU5HLqpzxHM-2-eu4GwXx6DaWzyw7IzFqsI77FCaVy7xBcOQBgcPaV75O_sqJSqWXDAbe21zC5CRrphu1W7A7HtZ2W-GG1-AVp0jx6fnqvddFqkNBCs3tmA1StkK/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5KxEYrx8b4hxv8L9h7LvGmn8QKrz9IePI6Hj-Rz9-R5Gkip07BIm32cbu-AbEODpweL9j9Gs3tr2CJ5Jf7cwbSJxw7XAMLgj-Ks9l8zxZTusdSiDSmX7paHEgZLdsl2zgBwXafk7aRbr/s1600/ear-half.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5KxEYrx8b4hxv8L9h7LvGmn8QKrz9IePI6Hj-Rz9-R5Gkip07BIm32cbu-AbEODpweL9j9Gs3tr2CJ5Jf7cwbSJxw7XAMLgj-Ks9l8zxZTusdSiDSmX7paHEgZLdsl2zgBwXafk7aRbr/s1600/ear-half.png" /></a> out of 5</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://veronicafalls.com/">http://veronicafalls.com/</a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4b4b4c; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span>mega-superior goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398105652723315971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894481376755928125.post-42303994320343037202013-02-11T18:16:00.000-06:002013-02-11T18:16:00.127-06:00Vic Chesnutt - "Like a Monkey in a Zoo " (Daniel Johnston cover)<div style="text-align: left;">
This has to be one of my all time favorite songs ever written. Before moving from Boston to Austin, in 2007; one of my neighbors hooked me up with a ton of great music from various Austin musicians to listen to. He was originally from Texas and had worked as DJ in Austin. Among the treasures were classics by Willie Nelson, lesser known bands like The Orange Mothers, and Pong, alternative heroes - The Butthole Surfers, songwriter's songwriters like Butch Hancock, and The Flatlanders and an awesome compilation of Daniel Johnston covers called <i>Discovered Uncovered</i>. Half of the album features lo-fi originals by Johnston, mostly recorded simply with voice and guitar/piano. While the second half features the same songs re-recorded by big names like Beck, Bright Eyes, and TV on the Radio. One of the re-recordings was done by Vic Chesnutt.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The original version of the song was written and recorded by Daniel Johnston in the early 80's on his album - <i>Songs of Pain</i>. Johnston wrote it as an upbeat, bouncy, happy hand clapping piano ditty. The original is also really good but Vic Chesnutt brings it closer to home. Slower, sadder, and with some intricate guitar work between a nylon stringed guitar and an electric guitar; this is the definitive version in my opinion. A paraplegic for most of his life, Vic Chesnutt sings with a tear in his voice, heartbreaking, beautiful, and sometimes bawl-worthy. Sadly the world lost Vic in 2009.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Im chained to the wall/I'm nothing at all/And Im staring at the sunset/Thinking of better things to do/like a monkey in a zoo..........</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZVMJOaGvZGg" width="420"></iframe></div>
mega-superior goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398105652723315971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894481376755928125.post-12663033297736214162013-02-07T19:04:00.000-06:002013-02-08T21:01:22.513-06:00Christopher Owens - Lysandre (2013)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63Gs-HV297NuRN11lvTyFnsMzEBpvhS_uabIw_zOM84p2Ua3nWw3w14ixFrBdVMUkoIY_wiVzwmQsOaDJ_p3KOyQ03nu6NPMY0PTgoA6o1eodtcFskPvdkC50jRIPjRtxQdGZQdTj3igK/s1600/Christopher-Owens-Lysandre1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63Gs-HV297NuRN11lvTyFnsMzEBpvhS_uabIw_zOM84p2Ua3nWw3w14ixFrBdVMUkoIY_wiVzwmQsOaDJ_p3KOyQ03nu6NPMY0PTgoA6o1eodtcFskPvdkC50jRIPjRtxQdGZQdTj3igK/s320/Christopher-Owens-Lysandre1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girls_(band)" target="_blank">Girls</a> has easily been one of my favorite bands of the last ten years. Like most fans, I was definitely bummed to hear about the break-up, but was interested to see what Christopher Owens could do on his own. Having written most of the band's songs (including albums worth of unreleased material), you could say I had high hopes for his solo debut - <i>Lysandre</i>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This 30 minute thematic album chronicles his first tour with his old band, and subsequent love affair with a Frenchwoman for whom the record is named after. Most of the songs on <i>Lysandre</i> were written in a single day and the album has a pleasant 70's Easy Listening/Singer-Songwriter vibe (think Cat Stevens). The album also showcases some of Owens' best fingerpicking, but towards the end, the "cuteness" of the songs is overbearing and dare I say - painful as a tickle fight in hell. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This would have been an ok EP. A few of the songs aren't that bad, and it starts out rather promising. The first three songs ("Lysandre's Theme", "Here We Go", "New York City") do a good job of opening the album. "Lysandre's Theme" is a short melodic motif that pops it's head up in every other song (and Yes it gets old), but it's a nice intro. There are some nice touches of harmonica, and flute over Owens' gentle finger picking and soft vocals on "Here We Go". And inn the faster-paced tune - "New York City" Owens sings about "Texas cops and cooking drugs" over a blasting-jazzy-down on the corner saxophone solos.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But from track 4 onward, it goes downhill quick, starting with the totally generic - "A Broken Heart"; a boring ska instrumental ("Riviera Rock"); and the title track which includes the line - "kissin' and a huggin' is the air that I breathe". The last few numbers (notably the ramblin' folky tune "Part of Me") pick things up a bit, but by then, it's too late. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Owens claims he already has plans for his 2nd solo album, which he wants to take in a "crazy" new direction. But judging from his first effort, it's hard to picture how nutty his music can possibly get without his old band. Then again, perhaps he's pulling a joke on us. By releasing a sub-par debut record, he has set himself up for success to avoid the dreaded second album slump, following it up with a mind-blowing classic.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYS7oQP_Irhz00hvJaRa-BMHvFyH6OQVpCQr_3yIxLpFoVYPjLKrsfiY5hIGDbidBmt7R15a4kDHT3-_xLPoKIs_KuVxsPJPCEBtHLgk1RS0mABwktLWblKDm4h6BSJfyjr6WfLP4juVH/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYS7oQP_Irhz00hvJaRa-BMHvFyH6OQVpCQr_3yIxLpFoVYPjLKrsfiY5hIGDbidBmt7R15a4kDHT3-_xLPoKIs_KuVxsPJPCEBtHLgk1RS0mABwktLWblKDm4h6BSJfyjr6WfLP4juVH/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYS7oQP_Irhz00hvJaRa-BMHvFyH6OQVpCQr_3yIxLpFoVYPjLKrsfiY5hIGDbidBmt7R15a4kDHT3-_xLPoKIs_KuVxsPJPCEBtHLgk1RS0mABwktLWblKDm4h6BSJfyjr6WfLP4juVH/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYS7oQP_Irhz00hvJaRa-BMHvFyH6OQVpCQr_3yIxLpFoVYPjLKrsfiY5hIGDbidBmt7R15a4kDHT3-_xLPoKIs_KuVxsPJPCEBtHLgk1RS0mABwktLWblKDm4h6BSJfyjr6WfLP4juVH/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPd-zoIqMEMu7Pc9O4OAfdcN2UoFsxq-Ju38GRlZdh300UtW28HpIcuRTLMCxnA5p6SOFzXMQzrDLJHcVtgJ8yrPs9VJEXMQvx336hyphenhyphenWhnbHHXCh0BsYX1rw0t5s-2eBKGAi7_6UPVovAx/s1600/ear-half.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPd-zoIqMEMu7Pc9O4OAfdcN2UoFsxq-Ju38GRlZdh300UtW28HpIcuRTLMCxnA5p6SOFzXMQzrDLJHcVtgJ8yrPs9VJEXMQvx336hyphenhyphenWhnbHHXCh0BsYX1rw0t5s-2eBKGAi7_6UPVovAx/s1600/ear-half.png" /></a> out of 5 </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yEKEf8zwFnk" width="560"></iframe>mega-superior goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398105652723315971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894481376755928125.post-85887126783259890502013-02-04T18:53:00.000-06:002013-02-06T17:31:41.269-06:00Japancakes - Loveless<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
With Kevin Shield's recent mention of a new My Bloody Valentine album on the way, I thought it would be appropriate to post something related. I was turned on to this group last year by a very helpful employee at Waterloo Records in Austin, TX. Japancakes are a 6 piece spacey post-rock/indie band from Athens, GA who released an excellent cover album of MBV's classic <i>Loveless</i> album in 2007. The album has been covered by quite a few artists over the year, but this is without a doubt my favorite. It's also a nice, more chilled out alternative version to the original for times when I want to hear <i>Loveless</i> but when it's just too damn ear deafening to play in the early morning. Enjoy</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zjDs37Ya6ks" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/L6S7wY_C9Jw" width="420"></iframe>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zjDs37Ya6ks" width="420"></iframe></div>
mega-superior goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398105652723315971noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894481376755928125.post-66737238816347751222013-01-29T18:16:00.003-06:002013-01-29T18:21:45.772-06:00Glenn Yoder & The Western States - Javelina (2013)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfdmk7VvQWZPoP5uBKJeK7e2AUsQyeMXyj61cs-8Ep3C913kIMNoYE_rEITaIqu4_CjEnXHJZe24TZjQCaEPUYxY1kexe0KX3Iyu3P_CSx_JsVNWUzupiQGHebqez7AgUBfICs47LIw8M/s1600/1292349915-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfdmk7VvQWZPoP5uBKJeK7e2AUsQyeMXyj61cs-8Ep3C913kIMNoYE_rEITaIqu4_CjEnXHJZe24TZjQCaEPUYxY1kexe0KX3Iyu3P_CSx_JsVNWUzupiQGHebqez7AgUBfICs47LIw8M/s320/1292349915-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_Depression_(magazine)" target="_blank">No Depression</a> magazine take notice! Glenn Yoder and the Western States may have just made one of the finest alt-country albums of 2013.<br />
<br />
If you've never heard of Glenn Yoder, to give you some background, he played in a band called <a href="http://www.myspace.com/cassavettes" target="_blank">Cassavettes</a> which garnered quite a bit of attention in the Boston area. They opened for tons of well known bands, were voted "Best Local Act" in The Boston Phoenix Readers Poll, and even won a Boston Music Award for "Best Americana Act".<br />
<br />
Now fast forward to 2013, <i>Javelina</i> is the 2nd album Glenn has released as a solo artist and without question, his best work yet. This creepy backwoods beast of a record, is full of huge pop hooks, muscular Drive-By Truckers style rock, and much more. Yoder's songwriting has never been sharper, and his voice never stronger and more confident. The Western States are equally as impressive and sound as though they were born to play in this band. And don't let me forget, the production. The team of Jeremy Moses Curtis and David Minehan (who is also featured in the new Replacements documentary) cannot be underestimated.<br />
<br />
The first half of this album screams radio play. "Everything You Want" and "Younger Brother" offer infectious choruses that are exactly what country pop should be. My favorite song on the album is definitely "Row"(80% because it's damn good song with inspiring lyrics; and 20% because there just aren't enough songs that mention rowing). For some reason (perhaps I'm an old pervert), whenever I hear "Just Want You to Love Me" (my pick for lead-off single), I picture swarms of fist pumping, starry eyed college freshmen girls singing along.<br />
<br />
The second half gets a little spookier and jammier. Yoder seems to dig up the ghost of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Sandman" target="_blank">Mark Sandman</a> on vocals for the excellent - "Messing with My Head" which also includes some ace playing from the rhythm section of Cilla Bonnie on bass, and Josh Kiggans on drums. While Jeff Katz (Three Day Threshold) showcases some mean guitar on the 6 minute "Not That Man for You".<br />
<br />
There are quite a few more highlights ("Pretty Little Girl", "Loraine", "Like a Radio Song", and "Once in My Lifetime"), but it might be best if you just take a listen for yourself, and before doing so, raise your shot glasses high, and make a toast to <i>JavelinaaaaaaaAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!</i>.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The album is currently available for download at a very affordable "name your price" special at:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="http://glennyoder.bandcamp.com/album/javelina">http://glennyoder.bandcamp.com/album/javelina</a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQ_fs8TuB1e-MGf90VP4enxu0HKWizkeXKcMM_7jaqDwdSRgC_xWNf05g3P6t9OJ98uetXyfmM6tZSIGsJtg3xO8_jV9C42sKo0_UcU2F-tTLRGhDUCd6LVHdutd4vWfBoemeA_9MpDgq/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQ_fs8TuB1e-MGf90VP4enxu0HKWizkeXKcMM_7jaqDwdSRgC_xWNf05g3P6t9OJ98uetXyfmM6tZSIGsJtg3xO8_jV9C42sKo0_UcU2F-tTLRGhDUCd6LVHdutd4vWfBoemeA_9MpDgq/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQ_fs8TuB1e-MGf90VP4enxu0HKWizkeXKcMM_7jaqDwdSRgC_xWNf05g3P6t9OJ98uetXyfmM6tZSIGsJtg3xO8_jV9C42sKo0_UcU2F-tTLRGhDUCd6LVHdutd4vWfBoemeA_9MpDgq/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQ_fs8TuB1e-MGf90VP4enxu0HKWizkeXKcMM_7jaqDwdSRgC_xWNf05g3P6t9OJ98uetXyfmM6tZSIGsJtg3xO8_jV9C42sKo0_UcU2F-tTLRGhDUCd6LVHdutd4vWfBoemeA_9MpDgq/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQ_fs8TuB1e-MGf90VP4enxu0HKWizkeXKcMM_7jaqDwdSRgC_xWNf05g3P6t9OJ98uetXyfmM6tZSIGsJtg3xO8_jV9C42sKo0_UcU2F-tTLRGhDUCd6LVHdutd4vWfBoemeA_9MpDgq/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQ_fs8TuB1e-MGf90VP4enxu0HKWizkeXKcMM_7jaqDwdSRgC_xWNf05g3P6t9OJ98uetXyfmM6tZSIGsJtg3xO8_jV9C42sKo0_UcU2F-tTLRGhDUCd6LVHdutd4vWfBoemeA_9MpDgq/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQ_fs8TuB1e-MGf90VP4enxu0HKWizkeXKcMM_7jaqDwdSRgC_xWNf05g3P6t9OJ98uetXyfmM6tZSIGsJtg3xO8_jV9C42sKo0_UcU2F-tTLRGhDUCd6LVHdutd4vWfBoemeA_9MpDgq/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQ_fs8TuB1e-MGf90VP4enxu0HKWizkeXKcMM_7jaqDwdSRgC_xWNf05g3P6t9OJ98uetXyfmM6tZSIGsJtg3xO8_jV9C42sKo0_UcU2F-tTLRGhDUCd6LVHdutd4vWfBoemeA_9MpDgq/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a> out of 5 ears</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />mega-superior goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398105652723315971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894481376755928125.post-27467225712398353372013-01-22T13:11:00.000-06:002013-01-29T18:24:00.596-06:00Thee Oh Sees - Putrifiers II <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxB7lC7NDxMBFuZN_dKmmTCWInDLDKM7QP4OTwvwrY-_45Ff9hKL5IeXqa8eYrRrqmc15S3iPzhZxz9L4r8S0TtUMgqLwbabqe2CIBDidSyP8wfvXqqZH1AHhy57B5e5ZL1bv55iBgb_MU/s1600/thee-oh-sees-putrifiers-ii-608x536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxB7lC7NDxMBFuZN_dKmmTCWInDLDKM7QP4OTwvwrY-_45Ff9hKL5IeXqa8eYrRrqmc15S3iPzhZxz9L4r8S0TtUMgqLwbabqe2CIBDidSyP8wfvXqqZH1AHhy57B5e5ZL1bv55iBgb_MU/s320/thee-oh-sees-putrifiers-ii-608x536.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>Carrion Crawler/The Dream </i>was easily one of my favorite albums of 2011. A mix of raw punk blues and stretched out kraut-surf grooves made it one of my ultimate late night speeding-down-the-highway albums. With two hard hitting drummers in Michael Shoun and Lars Finberg, the album captured the band's live sound perfectly. Now less than a year later, the band brings us <i>Putrifiers II, </i>the 15th studio album from Thee Oh Sees.<i> </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Gone is the two drummer lineup of <i>Carrion Crawler; </i>on<i> Putrifiers II </i>frontman John Dwyer goes back to his earlier days and takes full control of its' creation. Writing all the songs, playing most of the instruments himself, and recording in a mere five days, the album could easily be seen as a solo release. With a only few guest musicians (most notably <a href="http://mikalcronin.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">Mikal Cronin</a> on sax), and only one other member of the current Oh Sees touring band (Brigid Dawson on vocals), Dwyer dug deeper than ever into the sound of 60's psychedelic rock. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Still there is just enough Stooges like garage rock mayhem to keep longtime fans excited. Full of wailing guitars and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbzvSYLCSo0" target="_blank">Ray Manzarek - "Alabama Song"</a> organ lines, the kraut-rock-esque "Lupine Dominus" is sure to keep the kids moshing when the band hit your town. "Floods New Light" is another face melter mixing grooving driving rock with handclaps and catchy sun-drenched "Bah Bah Bah" choruses.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On <i>Putrifiers II</i>, Thee Oh Sees takes the listener on a trip through the 60's. The influence of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Zombies" target="_blank">T</a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Zombies" target="_blank">he Zombies</a> is present throughout the entire album. But also there's a bit of a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Walker_(singer)" target="_blank">Scott Walker</a> crooner vibe on the short and sweet - "Goodnight Baby". "So Nice" takes The Velvet Underground's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwzaifhSw2c" target="_blank">"Venus in Furs"</a> on a vacation to the beach. With tribal drums, a trippy tremelo vocal effect, and Kristen Dylan Edrich doing her best John Cale impersonation on viola, Dwyer sings "Remember a day when fat kids got high?". And finally one of my favorites of the record is the closing track - "Wicked Park". Preceded by a minute of "park sounds" (birds chirping etc), the song is a whimsical psychedelic folk piece of ear candy with flutes, strings and serves as the perfect ending to a very trippy album.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Where the album falters a bit is with the more experimental tracks. The six minute title song is a spooky Halloween acid trip gone bad with sound effects resembling seagulls dying and lines about guts growing in fields. "Will We Be Scared" is another low light that never seems to get off the ground. Still for the most part, the experimental tracks offer a nice segue-way into the more punk-blues numbers.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Although far from a perfect album, it's inspiring to see Thee Oh Sees continue to grow and take more risks in their music. At the same time, the band continues to play tons of shows and crank out new music at a maddening rate. <i>Putrifiers II</i> is a standout album in an already stellar catalogue and I'm happy to be along for the ride</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLVGIRRyzBGFaeKzvbrFF-WcmE0BFA_1coh6GqzVDW7kcyl-ZoEfbN54OEGfYjRGBwkQfvJnYtuTkaEIWQhkr46rpySaPXc-3-mUuUMu5vxyLEuQ4z8QZgtG-EHzu5S74YfhImIVRvdXg/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLVGIRRyzBGFaeKzvbrFF-WcmE0BFA_1coh6GqzVDW7kcyl-ZoEfbN54OEGfYjRGBwkQfvJnYtuTkaEIWQhkr46rpySaPXc-3-mUuUMu5vxyLEuQ4z8QZgtG-EHzu5S74YfhImIVRvdXg/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38nvHNNgj4aXHOfcZG1dOvQhyphenhyphenW-u3BBS7d_v2Qvd1c9XnCCnDH6iHKiv4sryYMbYVm38OgweS30S7b1Do-Igvbq57rk1Zee0Y6uJHeTUddSCixvFjBZW0PW7OCvUqCUEfvLP6o3onhSg7/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38nvHNNgj4aXHOfcZG1dOvQhyphenhyphenW-u3BBS7d_v2Qvd1c9XnCCnDH6iHKiv4sryYMbYVm38OgweS30S7b1Do-Igvbq57rk1Zee0Y6uJHeTUddSCixvFjBZW0PW7OCvUqCUEfvLP6o3onhSg7/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrL6QD4eyKFSzrIAnOkBDGFd3hVeo5isLuW50Xwv6B2llnCf0KtODdsbR3BYO_A6nVQ1au3vw_dceyHoBiJfDlB22Qf0ViGoAIWVoqCtPfpSvgmgj1tJpERH2WdiRy2yT-Dd3MzFrszv-/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrL6QD4eyKFSzrIAnOkBDGFd3hVeo5isLuW50Xwv6B2llnCf0KtODdsbR3BYO_A6nVQ1au3vw_dceyHoBiJfDlB22Qf0ViGoAIWVoqCtPfpSvgmgj1tJpERH2WdiRy2yT-Dd3MzFrszv-/s1600/1194986541442028018ear_-_body_part_nicu_buc_01.svg.thumb.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6bIvXvk2a6wSZAGHqCmIjbJ7lMR38tTsgCu_bgoKgoA59uE-riJUkO537c8nmy0QNCCkejlXufeJ1Ve-ADjPl0_iiTFnKMeYeBextn7olwlOGzjvMCJUAJM4RFpFxx4MgHn3VPHi7asy/s1600/ear-half.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6bIvXvk2a6wSZAGHqCmIjbJ7lMR38tTsgCu_bgoKgoA59uE-riJUkO537c8nmy0QNCCkejlXufeJ1Ve-ADjPl0_iiTFnKMeYeBextn7olwlOGzjvMCJUAJM4RFpFxx4MgHn3VPHi7asy/s1600/ear-half.png" /></a> (3 and 1/2 ears out of 5)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WUSCiWegpf4" width="420"></iframe>
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FefWaX2s4MI" width="420"></iframe>
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pKFz26kaD20" width="420"></iframe>mega-superior goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398105652723315971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894481376755928125.post-49452202247447971652013-01-15T19:59:00.000-06:002013-02-15T18:23:53.469-06:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">A Lost Classic:</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Doug Sahm and Band</span></i></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">1973</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_qiWNxs618JOvBFbtc_3UKinIjh6wQgQwAa0jqJ33VWAVJCi6sNLSyfvZagSwJEgMTy46EgYuPdaxrGKqZ_bGRSZqrSYZlAUZpnVHtmxIcyx7iOszO5Dj8g5GfBALu7DyiJpyTL5lh5s/s1600/DOUG+SAHM.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" d="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574843522846605890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_qiWNxs618JOvBFbtc_3UKinIjh6wQgQwAa0jqJ33VWAVJCi6sNLSyfvZagSwJEgMTy46EgYuPdaxrGKqZ_bGRSZqrSYZlAUZpnVHtmxIcyx7iOszO5Dj8g5GfBALu7DyiJpyTL5lh5s/s320/DOUG+SAHM.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 280px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 280px;" /></a><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Doug Sahm is as much a part of Texas music history as avocados are to guacamole. Although never achieving mainstream success (the way that guacamole did), he did have a hit single with the Sir Douglas Quintet in 1965 called </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">She's About a Mover</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. Doug Sahm is not a household name, except for in parts of Texas and Scandinavia (where he is as iconic a musical figure as that of Elvis). In Amsterdam, there is even a national holiday in honor of Doug Sahm. Over the years, he has graced the cover of Rolling Stone magazine twice; and shared studios and stages with everyone from Hank Williams to the Grateful Dead to the Rolling Stones and more. To add to his legacy, in the fall of 72', he would enter into Atlantic Recording Studios in New York City along with Bob Dylan, Dr. John, and a host of some of the best musicians around to start a new chapter in his recording career. Four days, thirty songs, and nineteen guest musicians later; Doug Sahm would finish what would arguably be the best record of his career.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Doug Sahm and Band</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> is the sound of a party going down! A four day binge of jamming out with friends, drinking, smoking, hanging out, and having fun. It's the sound of all this happening with a roomful of top notch musicians, just itching for a fun project. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">At the party, there's Doug Sahm, Bob Dylan, and Dr John; who you've probably met. There's Flaco Jimenz, the accordion master from San Antonio. There's Ray Charles' sax player - David "Fathead" Newman; Wayne Jackson - Who is one of the original Memphis Horns; there's Charlie Owens, the guitarist for Jerry Lee Lewis and Willie Nelson; Augie Meyers, Jack Barber and George Rains from the Sir Douglas Quintet; and then there are a bunch of other people just chillin like Bette Midler, Elton John, and a few guys from the Band.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575088029913245346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5D3pROBTlwdOqb4kJi2BJk7S-uRpiYXPb9djJZixa5qzsdBNiMlKgw85VU_3IsIRq__zqefQN_C4tMFdsgwran3fKhuY7su62qOsZktnpbCpq-54YlWMmOAzZqGEcibz07O3cqsRlfwKx/s320/doug+sahm+3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 320px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; width: 320px;" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Despite the party atmosphere of this album, somehow nothing ever sounds sloppy. Yeah, every once in a while, you get Bob Dylan coughing into the mic halfway through singing a song. Or you'll have the people playing wrong notes in unison or unclear starts to songs but it still manages to sound professionally rough around the edges. These are the records that I love! The songs are natural, not over produced and stiff sounding, which is the way a lot of country music was starting to sound in the early 1970's.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Doug Sahm and his band of merry music makers cram at least 4 or 5 different styles of music into these 12 songs. As a result, the album never feels as though its dragging along. The album opens with a couple classics. The opener - "(Is Anybody Going to) San Antone" is classic country song that was originally a #1 hit for Charley Pride a few years earlier. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">With dueling fiddles, great pedal steel, and the pairing of Doug Sahm and Bob Dylan singing like old drinking buddies, "(Is Anybody Going to) San Antone" is as classic and catchy as they come. The next song is another country tune and one of my favorites called "It's Gonna Be Easy". It features the original songwriter - Atwood Allen on background vocals, and again has a top notch honky tonk bar band sound to it.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575087736390539026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5SVu3lnHLbr6Sk8eQQGpDeF7908w-mUvSNahXaLtd3e2xtOwmWCBLa3YLm0Ha3uKYENBFLZSV2IcaIcTInA1kjxjYsRr2eCJUVYpXGuvXHIQ8g06CGHW8B_ifQUyVCQxtqQxFNqns-kc/s320/bobdylan_dougsahm.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 291px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px; width: 320px;" /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">On "Poison Love", you get to hear an early taste of what would become Doug Sahm's 90's tex-mex supergroup - The Texas Tornados. Flaco Jimenez's virtuoso accordian playing and Augie Meyer's piano soloing are all over this one. And it's hard to not get the urge to drink some cerveza, dance like a fool and shoot a gun!</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"Wallflower" is the next high point of the album and is a short and sweet country waltz written by Bob Dylan. At the time of recording, the song had yet to be released. Once again Bob and Doug share vocals together and the effect is brilliant; reminding me a lot the Band.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000ee;"></span>"Dealer's Blues" is a Doug Sahm original and my favorite of his 3 originals on the album. In the song Doug reminds me that "you need a lot of cocaine to get a lot of rhythm and blues". Other originals include "Don't Turn Around" which sounds like a classic 60's Otis Redding R&B hit. The last of the bunch is "I Get Off" which is r&b/rocker which reminds me of a mix of Creedence Clearwater Revival and the song "Dancing in the Street"</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">My last two favorites on this amazing album are a T-Bone Walker Blues Shuffle called "Papa Ain't Salty" which contains some great guitar work from Sahm and solos from Augie Meyers and David "Fathead" Newman. And then there is the Willie Nelson pot smoker anthem - "Me and Paul" which is arguably the best version ever recorded of this song.</span></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575064101810109618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5wRpJzcUmY_WkjlQe-XA8D1tEkPlytV6e8nOY3mRjj98pCoka4J_rMjCJnIrpbpGIls9aojaV2_Kv1YJL8912-t2ubrEMNmn1yQW14bHmOJR0xdAQNJVly_eCEyNwzgADqN0wTYw18hg/s320/dou+sahm+4.jpeg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 256px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: right; width: 320px;" /></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Although the album didn't climb higher than #125 on the Billboard music charts, it remains a cult classic and a clear reminder of what Doug Sahm was all about. Soon after finishing this album, Doug would be back in the studio to record another batch of great tunes for the album - </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Texas Tornado</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. Over the years, Doug Sahm's style would go on to influence hundreds of musicians during the alternative country movement of the late 80's among groups like Uncle Tupelo, and The Bottle Rockets. Nowadays, his son - Shawn Sahm; has taken over the reigns for his dad and tours with the Texas Tornados as their frontman along with Flaco Jimenez and Augie Meyers.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"></span><b><br />To hear Song Clips from </b></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>Doug Sahm and Band</b></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b> - Click </b></span></span><a href="http://www.box.net/files#/files/0/f/69698427/1/f_631129551"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>Here</b></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><br />To see a clip of Doug Sahm playing "She's About a Mover" on Austin City Limits - Click </b></span></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxsWRDeuxTE"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>Here</b></span></span></a></div>
</div>
mega-superior goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398105652723315971noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894481376755928125.post-39739901378350551592013-01-15T07:10:00.000-06:002013-01-29T18:26:20.543-06:00Marissa Paternoster you're rad!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsmgPhI51G3Y3Oev_H-xqiDijyp-L2oyen8py4w1e9WzFGLSy4TC6fweZ2Ztr-4SSGl_KGMYOiknvd_WpXIJJmvwV6G7emgD6Gd4Q_YakaxJC_f5tDN_tF3rV8p9uJsIxVXeuv8Guh14F/s1600/Screaming-Females.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsmgPhI51G3Y3Oev_H-xqiDijyp-L2oyen8py4w1e9WzFGLSy4TC6fweZ2Ztr-4SSGl_KGMYOiknvd_WpXIJJmvwV6G7emgD6Gd4Q_YakaxJC_f5tDN_tF3rV8p9uJsIxVXeuv8Guh14F/s320/Screaming-Females.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
i have a new indie rock crush. she's short, she seems shy, has a page boy haircut and slouches over her mic stand.........but have you heard her play?........ because you really need to.<br />
<br />
Marissa Paternoster is a modern day guitar goddess and frontwoman for New Jersey indie punk trio - Screaming Females. Now promoting their 5th album (I'm a little late on discovering them), they have started to get a lot more attention lately. Part J Mascis (without as much of the heavy grungy fuzz effects) and at times part stoner/sludge rock Tony Iommi-esque, her playing is loud but never annoying, speedy but never too fast, complex but not so challenging you cant headbang to it.<br />
<br />
Then there's her voice, which is a whole nuther animal. In 5 seconds, she can go from a late 70's heavy Manchester punk accent, to deep death metal chants, to an infant "baby voice", and then to a screaming banshee. It may sound horrible, but for the most part, it works very well!<br />
<br />
The rest of the band is killer too, but she just happens to stand out ............. a lot.<br />
<br />
"Ugly" is their latest album. I'd rate it 3.5 stars out of 5<br />
Highlights --> "It All Means Nothing", "Leave It All Up to Me", "Doom 84", "Help Me"<br />
<br />
Check out this great performance/interview:<br />
<a href="http://www.soundopinions.org/archive/2012/june.html#guestfemales">http://www.soundopinions.org/archive/2012/june.html#guestfemales</a><br />
(search for episode 340)mega-superior goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398105652723315971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894481376755928125.post-66774629371055276552013-01-07T13:04:00.000-06:002013-01-30T19:06:22.816-06:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">RADIOHEAD</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">THE KING OF LIMBS</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTa_TaWK4rJK3rmMh9q8DPqI2MDKcxm4gGIX5kOmCMXxdNuatiiHGK5Xq7u9T2HPLEieMeETf0VwRd8eiDx0GPc-khamt3rM4C5IxPMa0HXrgcD05cBE5E5eCHIOLToAoGGuwo6nZ98UdE/s1600/KINGOFLIMBS.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577335835194120226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTa_TaWK4rJK3rmMh9q8DPqI2MDKcxm4gGIX5kOmCMXxdNuatiiHGK5Xq7u9T2HPLEieMeETf0VwRd8eiDx0GPc-khamt3rM4C5IxPMa0HXrgcD05cBE5E5eCHIOLToAoGGuwo6nZ98UdE/s400/KINGOFLIMBS.jpeg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 224px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 225px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.thekingoflimbs.com">thekingsoflimbs.com</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So if you're reading this blog, there's a pretty good chance you've already heard this album. But if not, hopefully this entry will convince you to download it at the link above. I like to use this blog as a way to put the spotlight on albums that tend to get lost in the shuffle. Although, over the years, Radiohead needs no introduction; I was a little surprised by some of the negative criticisms of this album so far. I was even more surprised by the insane amount of reviews people had typed up on blogs only hours after the album was released. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Radiohead creates some of the most challenging and unique music in the alternative rock scene today. And it's impossible to have a clear concept of their albums from only a few listens. Radiohead do not make background music, but rather songs that need to be carefully listened to with a good pair of headphones. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The King of Limbs</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> is no exception. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Prior to releasing this album, during an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Ed O'Brien was quoted as saying:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“In terms of the band, we feel way more empowered in terms of our art and what we’re doing. We have been rehearsing for the last four weeks, for this new record. And we are in a very different place, a very new place. I don’t know if this is relevant, but I was talking with Philip three days ago about this. We were saying, “What’s different?” And one of the things is we do things without fear. A lot of where we come from — our education, our upbringing — manifests itself in the shadow of fear. I love that Talking Heads album title, Fear of Music. There has been a lot of that. And in a sense, I don’t think it served us too badly. It kept us on our toes. It kept us trying to seek new areas artistically.”</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577639291409760786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7KZB5xWx-1B_HY4-gKzWq00_xzV-lXl0GYnohGNdKcXZ-YjxPYMqeLaBM3trR7r3uCehkoZYftmMPF86rGZ1dh-z-EAozXRTl5LcK39BzWvXwVxQYC_PkSB7C4f07HwC72gfAQtrVU-o/s400/images-1.jpeg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 144px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px; width: 180px;" /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">At only 37 minutes and 8 songs long, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The King of Limbs</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> is Radiohead's shortest album yet. The group once again teams up with their go-to-producer - Nigel Godrich for this album. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The King of Limbs</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> has a free flowing, always in motion feel to it that gets pretty tense and mysterious at times. The best way I can describe it is the boat ride scene in </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> where everyone is scared and ready to jump out at any moment only to suddenly wake up in the peaceful surroundings of oompa loompas and chocolate (somewhere around track 5). Although not as easily accessible as some of their past work, one of the things that makes this album so great is the way these songs flow together so perfectly (and other than </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Kid A</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, nothing else has matched it in my opinion). With that being said, individually the tracks on the first half of the album don't tend to hold up as well on their own. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Soundwise, this album falls somewhere between Thom Yorke's beat heavy electro-indie record - </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Eraser, Kid A</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, and </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In Rainbows.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The opening song - </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Bloom</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, sets the tone for the first half of the record. A sad watery piano opens the song and soon fades into a fuzzy fast paced drum loop. Throughout the song, waves of trumpets fade in and out of the background creating that mood of traveling into the abyss, which brings in </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Good Morning Mr. Magpie* </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(see bottom of page). In the song, Thom Yorke angrily sings "You've got some nerve coming here! You've stole it all! Give it Back!" over a trance-like attack of noises that sounds like a guitar or a synthesizer. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Little By Little</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> comes in and pulls you even deeper into the heart of the album with its resounding brassy pulsating rhythms, the first noticeable electric guitars on the album and strange tape loops fading in and out of the background. As with the first two songs, these background sounds continue to give off the effect of travel and movement. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Feral</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> is an instrumental track that keeps a similar fast beat heavy feel to the first few songs but sounds more sparse, and desolate.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The fifth song on the album - </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Lotus Flower%</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> is really where this album goes from good to great. Thom Yorke's dream like vocals are the most memorable of the album. The electronic beats are still as fast and in your face as ever but this time around, the vocals seem to pull you in more naturally....... which brings you to a smooth stop at </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Codex</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, which is probably my favorite song of the album. Every song on this album at this point feels like it has been leading you to this song, which is the most peaceful 5 minutes of the album. The electro thumps are gone and instead you get a piano, a classic vocal, as well as some perfectly placed horns halfway through. The track ends with the sound of birds chirping.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Giving Up the Ghost</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">@ is the most haunting track on </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The King of Limbs</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. With it's dead sounding drum beat, lazily strummed acoustic guitar, and reverb drenched vocals that fade in and out with a trumpet; the song gets bigger and bigger as it goes on. The final song mysteriously retitled from </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mouse, Dog, Bird</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> to </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Separator</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> brings back the beats from the first half of the album but there is a hopeful feeling in the song as Yorke sings about finally "being free of the weight he has been carrying". Jonny Greenwood plays some bright fluid guitar passages that gradually start to fade out before coming to a sudden stop.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577639557571383666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEr0P1NTU4zrEcz6RRbYcWp8wi2RE7tVuGaSmzQ6NMat9e0RhE0TNhfX9uiQGWljS-Gvc_Q2kJsBMn_Wg6xKVPucpM6UKL06XTUnAWKk_0a58ody3jY2LOkpad_2aAPG0HgNGfbzulcdEE/s400/images.jpeg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 206px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; width: 245px;" /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This brings me to my next conclusion. I am willing to bet last week's pay check that Radiohead will release another EP/Album within the next year. After waiting over 3 years, I find it very doubtful that this is it. Putting that all aside, after somewhere around 15 listens or so, I'm pretty confident that stacked up against Radiohead's other 7 albums, this one falls somewhere between the middle and bottom for me. However, with that being said, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The King of Limbs</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> is still a fantastic album. Although it doesn't have the instant classic songs of past albums</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, this is an album I'm likely to play again and again; and still discover new sounds. <i>The King of Limbs</i> will definitely be one of my favorites of the year.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">* A magpie is a type of crow that is found in parts of Europe and is said to bring bad luck, By greeting the bird, you are helping to ward off bad luck.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">% A lotus flower is the sign of purity in Buddhism.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">@ Give Up the Ghost is another way of saying stop trying.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NV4xhsYvU2g" title="YouTube video player" width="640"></iframe><br />
<br /></div>
mega-superior goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398105652723315971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894481376755928125.post-89049912448419567092012-12-31T18:31:00.000-06:002013-01-29T18:31:50.775-06:00My Favorites of 2012<br />
<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>So I thought it would be interesting to see what other music Ryan Adams fans listened to from 2012? Below are all my lists, What were your favorites??</b></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;"><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 19px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>My Favorite Albums of 2012</b></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>(Based on albums that I listened to the most in 2012, and ones that I didn't have the urge to fast forward through. I highly recommend sampling all of these albums.)</i></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
1. Frank Ocean - "channel Orange"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
2. Jack White - "Blunderbuss"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
3. Daughn Gibson - "All Hell"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
4. Django Django</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
5. Guided By Voices - "Class Clown Spots a UFO"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
6. Sean Rowe - "The Salesman and the Shark"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
7. Bruce Springsteen - "Wrecking Ball"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
8. Thee Oh Sees - "Putrifiers II"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
9. Bill Fay - "Life is People"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
10. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - "Here"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
11. Guided By Voices - "Let's Go Eat the Factory"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
12. Guided By Voices - "The Bears for Lunch"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
13. Hospitality</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
14. Heartless Bastards - "Arrow"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
15. Spiritualized - "Sweet Heart, Sweet Light"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
16. Father John Misty - "Fear Fun"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>My Favorite EP of 2012</b></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Daniel Rossen - "Silent Hour/Golden Mile"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>My Favorite Concerts of 2012</b></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
1. Thee Oh Sees at 29th Street Ballroom, Austin, TX (3/12)</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
2. Guided By Voices at The Metro, Chicago, IL (8/11)</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
3. Charles Bradley and the Extraordinaires at Lincoln Hall, Chicago, IL (12/30)</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
4. Thee Oh Sees/Ty Segall/Bare Mutants at Logan Square Auditorium, Chicago, IL (9/28)</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
5. The Lemonheads at The Mohawk, Austin, TX (2/11)</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
6. Austin Psych Fest (Brian Jonestown Massacre/The Meat Puppets/Thee Oh Sees/Wooden Shjips/Bombino) at Emo's East, Austin, TX (4/29)</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
7. The dB's and Chuck Prophet (w/ Peter Buck) at The Gingerman, Austin, TX (3/16)</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
8. Tune-Yards at The Mohawk, Austin, TX (5/30)</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 19px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>My Favorite New Discoveries of 2012 (albums released before 2012)</b></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
1. Nick Lowe - "Jesus of Cool" (1978)</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
2. Kraftwerk - "Trans Europe Express" (1977)</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
3. Ry Cooder - "Boomer's Story" (1972)</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
4. Veronica Falls (2011)</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
5. John Cale - "Vintage Violence" (1970)</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
6. The Stairs - "Mexican R&B" (1992)</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
7. Bee Gees - "The Best of" (1969)</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
8. Luna - "Rendezvous" (2004)</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
9. Spacemen 3 - "The Perfect Prescription" (1987)</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
10. Nick Lowe - "This Old Magic" (2011)</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
11. Lambchop - "How I Quit Smoking" (1996)</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
12. Cardinal (1994)</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
13. The Rezillos - "Can't Stand the Rezillos" (1978)</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 19px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>My Favorite Songs of 2012</b></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Beach House - "Myth"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Beck - "Lookin' for a Sign"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Best Coast - "The Only Place"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Bob Mould - "The Descent"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Bobby Jealousy - "Never Let You Go"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Bobby Womack - "Please Forgive My Heart"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Bruce Springsteen - "Death To My Hometown"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Chairlift - "I Belong in Your Arms"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Cloud Nothings - "Stay Useless"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Daniel Rossen - "Silent Song"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Daughn Gibson - "Tiffany Lou"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
David Byrne and St. Vincent - "Who"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The dB's - "That Time is Gone"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Diamond Rugs - "Gimme a Beer"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Divine Fits - "My Love is Real"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Django Django - "Default"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Dr. Dog - "That Old Black Hole"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - "That's What's Up"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Family of the Year - "The Stairs"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Father John Misty - "Nancy from Now On"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
FIDLAR - "Cheap Beer"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
First Aid Kit - "Emmylou"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Frank Ocean - "Thinkin' About You"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Fun. - "We Are Young"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Guided By Voices - "Waking Up the Stars"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Guided By Voices - "Class Clown Spots a UFO"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Guided By Voices - "Chocolate Boy"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Hospitality - "Friends of Friends"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Jack White - "Hip (Eponymous) Poor Boy"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Kindness - "Swinging Party"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Lee Fields and the Expressions -"You're the Kind of Girl"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The Lumineers - "Ho Hey"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The Magnetic Fields - "Andrew in Drag"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Mike Coykendall - "Mr Fly"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Of Monsters and Men - "Little Talks"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Paul Westerberg - "My Road Now"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Red Kross - "Researching the Blues"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Robert Pollard - "Who's Running My Ranch"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Screaming Females - "It All Means Nothing"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Sean Rowe - "Downwind"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Sharon Van Etten - "Leonard"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Shearwater - "Breaking the Yearlings"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The Shins - "It's Only Life"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Spiritualized - "Hey Jane"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Tame Impala - "Elephant"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Tennis - "Origins"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Thee Oh Sees - "Wicked Park"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Todd Snider - "In Between Jobs"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Ty Segall Band - "I Bought My Eyes"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Veronica Falls - "My Heart Beats"</div>
<div style="color: #2e0fee; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Lucida Grande';"><br /></span><span style="color: black;">Listen on Spotify at: <a href="http://open.spotify.com/user/jmazckomusic/playlist/411bYbgLhtUj58ljcpCG1z" style="color: #ccab33; text-decoration: none;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2012 Favorites Part 1</span></a> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://open.spotify.com/user/jmazckomusic/playlist/3GMmkAoF31sxXypEQ823wU" style="color: #ccab33; text-decoration: none;">2012 Favorites Part 2</a></span></span></div>
</span></span>mega-superior goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398105652723315971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894481376755928125.post-57171069032944051212011-12-31T18:30:00.000-06:002013-01-29T18:31:02.953-06:00My Favorites of 2011<br />
<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b><b>So I thought it would be interesting to see what other music Ryan Adams fans listened to from 2011? Below are all my lists, What were your favorites??</b></b></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 19px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>My Favorite Albums of 2011</b></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>(Based on albums that I listened to the most in 2011, and ones that I didn't have the urge to fast forward through. I highly recommend at least sampling all of these albums.)</i></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
1. Destroyer - "Kaputt"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
2. Wilco - "The Whole Love"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
3. Radiohead - "The King of Limbs"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
4. The Decemberists - "The King is Dead"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
5. Lifeguards - "Waving at the Astronauts"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
6. Fleet Foxes - "Helplessness Blues"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
7. Ryan Adams - "Ashes and Fire"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
8. Charles Bradley and the Menahan Street Band - "No Time for Dreaming"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
9. Thee Oh Sees - "Carrion Crawler/The Dream"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
10. John Maus - "We Must Become the Pitiless Censors of Ourselves"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
11. My Morning Jacket - "Circuital"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
12. Girls - "Father, Son, Holy Ghost"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 19px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 19px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>My Favorite Concerts of 2011</b></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
1. Charles Bradley and the Menahan Street Band - ACL Fest, Austin, TX - 9/16/11</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
2. Mike Watt - The Gingerman, Austin, TX - 3/18/11</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
3. Wilco/Nick Lowe - Moody Theater, Austin, TX - 12/1/11</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
4. Joanna Newsom - ACL Taping - 8/1/11</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
5. Coldplay - ACL Fest, Austin, TX - 9/16/11</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
6. The Heartless Bastards - The Ghost Room, Austin, TX - 2/11/11</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
7. Liam Finn at ND at 501 Studios, Austin, TX 10/12/11</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
8. Echo and the Bunnymen - La Zona Rosa, Austin, TX - 5/7/11</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 19px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 19px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>My Favorite Songs of 2011</b></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Alexander Ebert - "Truth"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Apex Minor - "Under the Gun"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The Black Keys - "Lonely Boy"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Cave - "Wuj"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Charles Bradley - "World is Going Up in Flames"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The Civil Wars - "Barton Hollow"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The Decemberists - "Down By the Water"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Deer Tick - "Let's All Go to the Bar"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Destroyer - "Kaputt"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Eddie Vedder - "Sleeping By Myself"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Fleet Foxes - "Lorelai"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Foo Fighters - "White Limo"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Foster the People - "Pumped Up Kicks"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Gillian Welch - "The Way it Goes"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Girls - "Vomit"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Hayes Carll - "Kmag Yoyo"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Iceage - "Never Return"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The Jayhawks - "She Walks in So Many Ways"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - "Codeine"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
John Maus - "Hey Moon"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The Joy Formiddable - "Whirring"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Keren Ann - "My Name is Trouble"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Kurt Vile - "Jesus Fever"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Lee MacDougall - "Star Hotel"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Lifeguards - "Paradise is Not So Bad"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
M83 - "Midnight City"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Megafaun - "Real Slow"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Middle Brother - "Middle Brother"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
My Morning Jacket - "Holdin' on to Black Metal"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Thee Oh Sees - "Chem-Farmer"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Paul Simon - "Rewrite"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
PJ Harvey - "On Battleship Hill"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Radiohead - "Little By Little"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Robert Pollard - "Something Strawberry"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Ryan Adams - "Ashes and Fire"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The Strange Boys - "Me and You"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The Strokes - "Two Kinds of Happiness"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Tom Waits - "Bad as Me"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Toro y Moi - "Still Sound"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Tune-Yards - "Gangsta"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Veronica Falls - "Right Side of My Brain"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Wilco - "Art of Almost"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Wye Oak - "Civilian"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Zola Jesus - "Vessel"</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 19px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #551a8b; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;">Listen to: <a href="http://open.spotify.com/user/jmazckomusic/playlist/22IhH6oGFCKYBF3N10xa6R" style="color: #ccab33; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">2011 Favorites Part 1</a> / <a href="http://open.spotify.com/user/jmazckomusic/playlist/2ITzbevqYTl0vgcW96duet" style="color: #ccab33; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2011 Favorites Part 2</span></a></span></div>
</b></span></span>mega-superior goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398105652723315971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894481376755928125.post-53867077914601970612011-01-13T12:10:00.021-06:002011-01-26T17:55:43.561-06:00My Favorite Music of 2010<b><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">My 20 Favorite Albums of 2010</span></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">So this year, there was a ton of great new music that came out. Over the course of 2010, I figured out that I've listened through about 75 new albums (released this year alone) either on vinyl, mp3 downloads, CDs etc. I do a lot of reading up through online music blogs, pitchforkmedia.com, message boards, and music review sites to figure out what is worth my time. Because although 75 albums might sound like a lot, there is still a pretty large chunk of music that I wanted to listen to but didn't get a chance to this year. But anyway here are my favorite albums from this year followed by favorite songs and favorite live shows. My goal is to spread the word about some releases that maybe slipped through the cracks as well as get some feedback on music I missed.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><br /></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1. The Black Keys - "Brothers"</span></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><br /></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">For my #1 pick of favorite album of 2010, I decided not to go with a weird, "too cool for school" hipster indie rock album. Instead I went with the latest Black Keys album. Why you ask?? .......... Well because, I'm pretty sure it's the freshest and grooviest blues record I've heard in my whole life. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; ">Six albums deep into their career, the Black Keys created their most massive-appealing album to date. Recorded partly at the world famous Muscle Shoals Studio (aka: Soul Mecca), the band incorporated a bit more 60's soul and hip-hop beats on <i>Brothers</i>. But not just that! The production and recording quality is incredible! Turning this album up loud in the stero, you feel like you're in the same room as the band. Patrick Carney's drumming has never sounded better and thumpier. Dan Auerbach's guitar playing and singing is soulful and gripping. Good Job Black Keys!</span></div></b></span></div></b></span></div></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">key tracks --> "Sinister Kid", "Tighten Up", "Everlasting Light"</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.theblackkeys.com"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">http://www.theblackkeys.com</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mpaPBCBjSVc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><br /></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><br /></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2. The Arcade Fire - "The Suburbs"</span></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><br /></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">This year, the Arcade Fire came out with yet another monumental addition to their already ridiculous catalogue in <i>The Suburbs</i>. This easily could have been my #1 choice of the year. <i>The Suburbs</i> is fifteen songs, no filler, and deals with growing up in the suburbs of Win Butler's hometown outside Houston, TX. This is the epic sort of album that is capable of influencing hordes of young artists to pick up their utensil (whether it be a guitar, camera, pen etc) and make art! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; ">The Arcade Fire can do no wrong at this point.</span></div></b></span></div></b></span></div></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></span></div></b></span></div></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">key tracks --> "Sprawl II", "Modern Man", "The Suburbs", "Rococo"</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><br /></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5Euj9f3gdyM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><br /></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b></b></span></b></div></b></span></b></span></b></div></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3. The National - "High Violet"</span></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><br /></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><i>High Violet</i> was the album I most anticipated for 2010. Three years ago, the band released one of my all time favorite records - <i>Boxer</i>, which established the group as one of the most important indie rock bands of the decade. As with previous releases, <i>High Violet</i> is full of </span></div></b></span></div></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">intense, brooding backdrops of noise fronted by a singer who sounds like a mix between a 1950's crooner and Nick Cave. But there's something gloomier about this one. </span></div></b></span></div></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">This is not music you put on to put a smile on your face and have a good chuckle. </span></div></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">It's the kind of record you sit in the dark with, drink whiskey, and have a good cry to. </span></div></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">The songs are full of sadness, and mysterious dark beauty that pull you in with each listen.</span></div></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></span></div></b></span></div></b></span></div></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; ">key tracks --> "Runaway", "Afraid of Everyone", "Bloodbuzz Ohio", "Conversation 16"</span></div></b></span></div></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "></span></div></b></span></div></b><a href="http://www.americanmary.com/sight.php"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">http://www.americanmary.com/sight.php</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">4. Sufjan Stevens - "The Age of Adz"</span></b></span></b></div></b></span></b></span></b></div></b></span></b></span></b></div></b></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><br /></b></span></b></div></b></span><div style="display: inline !important; "><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; ">It's been a solid five year wait since Sufjan Stevens has put out an album this exciting. After abandoning his 50 States Album Project with <i>Michigan in 2003</i> and <i>Come on Feel the Illinoise</i> in 2005, he's returned with a whole new sound pallette of electric blips and bops. On <i>The Age of Adz</i>, Sufjan Stevens pulled a similar 180 to that of Radiohead's <i>Kid A</i> was released in 2000. Although, whether or not <i>The Age of Adz</i> will have the same staying power as <i>Kid A</i>, has yet to be seen. But after about 10-15 listens, I can say this is the most exciting album I've heard yet by Sufjan Stevens. This is definitely a grower, that is best listened to from start to finish. The album has a fair share of excess at times (especially towards the end with the 25 minute long song - <i>Impossible Soul</i>). However his melodies and lyrics are challenging, insightful, and never get boring. From start to finish, <i>The Age of Adz</i> was another high point for me in 2010.</span></div></div></b></span></b></div></b></span></b></span></b></div></b></span></div></div></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></span></div></div></b></span></b></div></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="text-align: left;"><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; ">key tracks --> "Futile Devices", "Too Much", "The Age of Adz", "I Walked", "Vesuvius"</span></div></div></b></span></b></div></b></span></b></span></b></div></b></span></b></span></b></div></b></div></span></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><br /></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><br /></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><br /></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "></span></div></div></b></span></b></div></b></span></b></span></b></div></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">5. Kanye West - "My Dark Twisted Fantasy"</span></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><br /></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">I don't listen to much hip-hop, so I'm not the best person to review it. So </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">when something does reach out and grab me the way Kanye West's latest album did, there has to be something about it that is incorporating either what I'm listening to now, or what I grew up listening to. Kanye West always seems to pull together some really great obscure samples (King Crimson's <i>21st Century Schizoid</i> <i>Man</i> Wha-what??) and his raps are freaking hilarious at times. Then you throw in all the controversy about everything that leaves his mouth in interviews. Kanye West clearly does what he wants, when he wants, and doesn't care what anybody thinks..... And I dig that!..... A few things in particular got me hyped about <i>My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy</i>: 1. Rolling Stone magazine and Pitchfork Media both gave the album perfect reviews (unheard of!); 2. Bon Iver aka: Justin Vernon guests on the album (aka: indie lofi folkie songwriter that put out one of my favorite albums of 2007); and 3. The song <i>Monster</i> and my first introduction to hearing Nicki Minaj rap. Luckily, this album delivered all the way around. So let us toast to the douchebags and assholes.</span></div></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">key tracks --> "Monster", "Power", "Dark Fantasy"</span></div></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">word on the streets----> Kanye West has another new album coming out with Jay-Z in March and has already started working non-stop on a follow-up which he's hoping to put out summer of 2011!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><br /></b></span></b></div></b><div><b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">6. Beach House - "Teen Dream"</span></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><br /></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><i>Teen Dream</i> is the first album by Beach House that I've heard, but definitely won't be my last. The appropriately titled band and album use big dreamy/spacey/shoegazey/summertime soundscapes fronted by Victoria Lagrand's smokey voice. The closest comparison I can give to her voice is that of Mazzy Star (<i>Fade into You</i> was their big hit in the 90's). From what I've read, <i>Teen Dream</i> was the band's first album recorded in a proper studio and as a result the sounds are bigger and more adventurous. This </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; ">is not the kind of music you put on to pump yourself up and launch a discus. This is an album to listen to while hanging out on the beach and smoking some bud. Also as a side note, you can buy <i>Teen Dream</i> with a bonus DVD which I highly recommend. It features a bunch of really great music videos that complement the songs by all different producers.</span></div></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></div></b></span></div></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></div></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; ">key tracks --> "Zebra", "Norway", "Walk in the Park", "Used to Be"</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></span></div></b></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "></span></b></span></b><div style="text-align: left;"><b><b><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yK_IyLEo6o4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /></b></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><br /></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><br /></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "></span></div></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></div></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">7. The Black Angels - "Phosphene Dream"</span></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><br /></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">The Black Angels are my favorite local band right now in Austin, TX! The music is pretty basic on paper - verse-chorus-verse, play guitar riff over and over again; add drum; bang bang etc etc.. But what I love about the Black Angels is their use of dynamics in songs. The Black Angels (who are named after a Velvet Underground song) create what they call "Native American Drone and Roll" music. They remind me a lot of mid 60's psychedelic rock when it was heavy on the weird side and not on the jamming.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><i>Phosphene Dream</i> is easily their best album to date. This album is like a goth rock version of Pink Floyd's first album - <i>Piper at the Gates of Dawn</i>. The album is spooky and is great music to blast loudly when driving through desolate deserts and backroads. Highly Recommended.</span></div></b></span></div></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">key tracks --> "Telephone", "Bad Vibrations", "Yellow Elevator #2"</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-urEjLPTMDI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><br /></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><br /></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">8. Laura Marling - "I Speak Because I Can"</span></b></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b></b><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="text-align: left; ">At only 20 years old, this British folk singer has created a record that artists try a lifetime to make. Laura Marling's finger picking quietly carries this record along; with lyrics about growing up, and a voice that sounds much older. <b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; ">Record<b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; ">ed by one of my favorite producers - Ethan Johns, t</div></span></b></div></b></div></span></b></div></b><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; ">he songs were recorded with very little accompaniement. Instead all the focus is on </div></span></b></div></b></div></span></b></div></b></div></span></b></div></b></div></span></b></div></b></div></span></b></div></b></div></span></b></div></b></div></span></b></div></b></div></span></b></div></b></div></span></b></div></b></div></span></b></div></b><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; ">the little nuances of her voice. If you are a fan of any of the following: Nick Drake, Joni Mitchell, Alexi Murdoch, Iron and Wine, Beth Orton, or Bonnie Prince Billy; you won't be let down with <i>I Speak Because I Can</i>.</div></span></b></div></b></div></span></b></div></b></div></span></b></div></b></div></span></b></div></b></div></span></b></div></b></div></span></b></div></b></div></span></b></div></b></div></span></b></div></b></div></span></b></div></b></div></span></b></div></b></div></span></b></div></b></div></span></b></div></b></div></span></b></div></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">key tracks --> "Devil's Spoke", "Made By Maid", "Rambling Man", "Darkness Descends"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span></b></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><br /></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><br /></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">9. The Walkmen - "Lisbon"</span></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><br /></b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; ">The first time that I heard this band was at the Orpheum Theater in Boston. The Walkmen opened for the Pogues in front of a sold out crowd of drunken Irishmen. Watching the show from the balcony of the "soon to be covered in vomit" 150 year old theater, I didn't instantly love their music, but they did leave an impression on me that kept haunting me in my sleep for years to come...... The voice! The swagger! The slight garage rock sound but overall very hard to classify-racket of noise! the scratchy guitar riffage! the surf rock drumming! what the bloody hell was that?...... Over the years, I listened here and there to their tunes, but still couldn't really follow them other than a few songs. Then <i>Lisbon</i> came out this year and I've started to get it! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; ">The Walkmen sound like long lost cousins to the Velvet Underground. Their music is recorded using very old equipment and their lead singer sounds like Frank Sinatra's evil drunken forgotten twin brother from Ireland. </span></div></b></span></b></span></div></b></span></b></span></div></b></span></b></span></div></b></span></b></span></div></b></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; ">Musically, the songs really don't venture much, but underneath it all are big sweeping horns, strings, and a singer who possesses one of the most original voices in indie rock.</span></div></b></span></b></span></div></b></span></b></span></div></b></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><div style="text-align: left; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">key tracks --> "Stranded", "Angela Surf City", "Victory"</span></div></b></span></div></div></b></span></div></b></span></b><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b></b></span></b></div></b></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">10. Surfer Blood - "Astro Coast"</span></b></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">In my opinion, Surfer Blood were the most promising new act to come out in 2010. I really love everything about these guys - I love the band name and album title, I love that they're from Florida, I love the album cover, I love the anthems which were mostly recorded in a home studio (from what I've heard)..... I could go on an on..... I tried to see these guys play at the SXSW festival last year four times!! Each time the shows were sold out or I wasn't allowed in..... but to get on with this mini-review, I am very excited about what the future holds for this band. Surfer Blood wear their influences proudly. There is definitely a little bit of Pavement and early Weezer in these songs. <i>Astro Coast</i> is the soundtrack for face splitting, coral spitting, 30 foot wave surfing, gut spewing rock and roll surfer dudes. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">key tracks --> "Floating Vibes", "Swim", "Neighbor Riffs", "Twin Peaks"</div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">11. The Roots - "How I Got Over"</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">With <i>How I Got Over</i>, the Roots made one of the darkest and most inspiring hip hop records of their career. Playing on the Jimmy Fallon show and recruiting Jim James of My Morning Jacket, and Joanna Newsome as guest stars on the album seemed to draw more appeal from indie-hipsters than with previous releases. There really aren't any club jams on this record (not that I know much about clubz), instead its more about stepping back and examining your life from the perspective of someone going through a midlife crisis..... (bummer huh?)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">key tracks --> "Dear God 2.0", "Radio Daze", "How I Got Over", "The Day", "Right On"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">12. MGMT - "Congratulations"</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">MGMT surprised a lot of people with <i>Congratulations</i>. Gone were the hit singles of <i>Oracular Spectacular</i> and replacing them were weird longer song structures, and more challenging outer space melodies. If that wasn't enough, Sonic Boom from the very influential space rock/neo psychedlic group - Spacemen 3, produced <i>Congratulations</i>. With repeated listens, I've started to like this album even more than the previous record. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">key tracks --> "Congratulations", "Flash Delirium", "Siberian Breaks", "Someone's Missing"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">13. LCD Soundsystem - "This is Happening"</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sadly and supposedly this will be LCD Soundsystem's last album. <i>This is Happening</i> was the final chapter of a trilogy that started back in 2005 and continued in 2007 with one of my favorite albums of the year - <i>Sound of Silver</i>. This record continues to follow in the footsteps of the 80's new wave inspired music of the last two releases but is a little dancier. David Bowie's similar Berlin trilogy from 1977-1979 (<i>Low --> Heroes --> Lodger</i>) sounds like a huge influence on these records (try listening to <i>Heroes</i> back to back with <i>All I Want</i>); as does some of the early Talking Heads albums with Brian Eno. But through it all, LCD Soundsystem have come out with some incredible music that will likely be relevant for years to come.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">key tracks --> "Dance Yourself Clean", "I Can Change", "All I Want", "Drunk Girls"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">14. Vampire Weekend - "Contra"</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">After putting out one of the most raved about albums of 2008, Vampire Weekend released an album very similar to that release with <i>Contra</i>. The band continued to master their blend of afro-pop/Paul Simon/new wavey/ New York City sounds and overall, the songs sound more comfortable. But to me, comfortable doesn't always make for the best music. This album relies a little more on synth sounds and a little less on the punky garage guitars from their debut. I Still really love about half of this record, but overall I preferred their debut.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">key tracks --> "Cousins", "Horchatta", "Giving Up the Gun", "Holiday"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">15. Jenny and Johnny - "I'm Having Fun Now"</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">So in case you didn't know, Jenny is Jenny Lewis from the band Rilo Kiley and Johnny is singer songwriter Johnathon Rice. Together, they are a couple from California that write really catchy quirky summertime acoustic indie pop tunes. Overall this year, I didn't feel like there was enough music like this.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">key tracks --> "Big Wave", "Animal", "Switchblade", "My Pet Snakes"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">16. Spoon - "Transference"</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">This album took some time to grow on me but after a good five or so listens, I was pretty hooked. After their last album which featured a full horns section and a very radio-friendly sound, I was expecting Spoon to pull off a Kings of Leon and take that a step further. Instead, this release is a step into more sparse sounds that were more present in their early albums. This was not a bad move at all and I highly recommend this album if you'd like their earlier releases. Spoon is still as intact as ever.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">key tracks --> "Who Makes your Money", "The Mystery Zone", "Trouble Comes Running"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">17. Charlotte Gainsbourg - "IRM"</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">French actress/musician/daughter of Serge Gainsbourgh - Charlotte Gainsbourg's 3rd album sounds dark and mysterious. Charlotte sings in her usual quiet and sexy as all hell whispers over lush string arrangements and the sound machine known as Beck Hanson aka: Beck. While Charlotte wrote some of the song lyrics, Beck wrote all the music and produced <i>IRM</i>. The music on this album was inspired partially by various trips to the doctors to treat a brain hemorrhage (In France, <i>IRM</i> is what they call an MRI). To me, this album has a lot of similiarities with Beck's <i>Modern Guilt </i>album from a couple years ago. If you liked that record, you should like this as well.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">key tracks --> "Heaven Can Wait", "Le Chat du Cafe des Artistes", "In the End", "Time of the Assasins"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CrWN0-MuK38" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">18. The Boston Spaceships - "Our Cubehouse Still Rocks"</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">One of Robert Pollard's 4 new albums for 2010 was pretty awesome! To me, The Boston Spaceships, are what I wish the Who sounded like today. Of course, with any Robert Pollard release, there are hiccups on this release, but this album is the closest we'll likely have to another Guided By Voices album and for that it is spectacular.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">key tracks --> "Fly Away (Terry Sez)", "Come on Baby Grace"</div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">19. The Bell Riots</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left; ">You may say I'm a little biased here because I'm friends with these guys, but their first album is smashingly good! The album is chock full of short and sweet songs that feature metallic guitars, weird Star Trek clips, crazy song shifts from pretty and shimmering to classic hardcore punk riffs, and very interesting well thought out storylines.</div><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; ">key tracks --> "Automatic Door", "The Orderly Procession", "Amber Barbarella", "Pretty Mouth"</div><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; "><a href="http://www.myspace.com/thebellriots"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">http://www.myspace.com/thebellriots</span></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">20. Broken Bells</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">In case you didn't know, Broken Bells is a project that includes James Mercer from the Shins and studio guru/Gnarls Barkley member - Danger Mouse. When I first started listening to this album, I chose it for some of the wrong reasons. I love the Shins and I was expecting the album to be somewhat of an uphill continuation of that band. Unfortunately with all these false hopes, I wasn't a fan of Broken Bells. After some time away from the record, listening again with fresh ears it's a pretty enjoyable record of radio friendly electro indie pop. However listening through, there is nothing adventurous enough that makes me go "Holy Guaca-freakin-Moly-Batman!".</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">key tracks --> "Vaporize", "High Road", "The Ghost Inside", "The Mall and Misery"</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">2 Great Reissues/Old Material Released for First Time</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Bruce Springsteen - "The Promise"</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">This release is a Godsend! Thank you Bruce!! During the making of <i>Darkness on the Edge of Town</i>, Bruce and the E Street Band recorded somewhere around 80 songs for the album. Only ten of them made the track listing. Many others, he gave to other artists to record ("Because the Night" - Patti Smith, "Fire" - The Pointer Sisters, "Rendevous", and most of a whole album went to the Asbury Jukes). Over the years, a few of the songs have found their way to the general public, but this year, two more discs (known as <i>the Promise</i>) finally made their way out. These songs are incredibly good! If you are a Springsteen fan, these songs are must haves! Hearing these, it's clear that <i>Darkness</i> could have easily been a great double album.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">key tracks --> "Wrong Side of the Street, "Because the Night", "Rendezvous", "Fire", "The Promise", "City of Night"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ryan Adams and the Cardinals - "III/IV"</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Two new albums in one low priced package by one of my all time favorite artists! These albums were originally recorded after <i>Cold Roses</i> and <i>Jacksonville City Nights</i> and sound nothing like those records. Instead, these albums bring to mind a more mature version of <i>Rock and Roll</i>. In my opinion, this is what should have come out in place of <i>Easy Tiger</i>. There is a much better flow to these songs than on <i>Easy Tiger</i> and the drums sound sooooo much better. There is a definite Strokes feel to these songs and Ryan's vocals sound better than ever! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">key tracks --> "Stop Playing with My Heart", "Kisses Start Wars", "Breakdown into Resolve", "Death and Rats", "Kill the Lights"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">My 78 Favorite Songs of the Year</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Adam Green - "Castles and Tassels"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Arcade Fire - "Modern Man"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Arcade Fire - "The Suburbs"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Arcade Fire - "Sprawl II"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffitti - "Round and Round"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Band of Horses - "Factory"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Beach House - "Norway"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Beach House - "Walk in the Park"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">The Bell Riots - "Automatic Door"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">The Black Angels - "Telephone"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">The Black Keys - "Everlasting Light"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">The Black Keys - "Tighten Up"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">The Black Keys - "Sinister Kid"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">The Brian Jonestown Massacre - "Detka! Detka! Detka!"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Caribou - "Odessa"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Cee-Lo Green - "F##k You"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Charlotte Gainsbourgh - "Heaven Can Wait"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Charlotte Gainsbourgh - "In the End"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr - "God Only Knows" (Beach Boys cover)</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Damien Jurado - "Cloudy Shoes"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Deer Tick - "20 Miles"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Fitz and the Tantrums - "Moneygrabber"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Frightened Rabbit - "Swim Until You Can't See Land"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Gorillaz - "Stylo"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Gorillaz - "Superfast Jellyfish"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Harlem - "Gay Human Bones"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Jenny and Johnny - "Big Wave"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Jesse Malin and the St. Marks Social Club - "Burning the Bowery"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Johnny Flynn - "Kentucky Pill"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Johnny Flynn and Laura Marling - "The Water"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Josh Ritter - "Change of Time"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Josh Ritter - "Lark"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Josh Ritter - "Lantern"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Justin Townes Earle - "Harlem River Blues"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Kanye West - "Monster"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Kanye West - "Power"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Laura Marling - "Devil's Spoke"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Laura Marling - "Made by Maid"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">LCD Soundsystem - "I Can Change"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">LCD Soundsystem - "Dance Yrself Clean"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">MGMT - "Congratulations"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Midlake - "Acts of Man"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">The National - "Runaway"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">The National - "Afraid of Everyone"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">The National - "Terrible Love"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">The National - "Bloodbuzz Ohio"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Phosphorescent - "The Mermaid Parade"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Reverse - "Helicoptors"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Robert Pollard - "The Weekly Crow"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Roky Erickson with Okkervil River - "Goodbye Sweet Dreams"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Roky Erickson with Okkervil River - "True Love Cast Out All Evil"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">The Roots - "Dear God 2.0"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">The Roots - "Now or Never"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Ryan Adams and the Cardinals - "Stop Playing with My Heart"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Ryan Adams and the Cardinals - "Breakdown into Resolve"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Ryan Adams and the Cardinals - "Death and Rats"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Sleigh Bells - "Rill Rill"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Sonny and the Sunsets - "Too Young to Burn"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Spoon - "Who Makes Your Money?"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Spoon - "Written in Reverse"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Spoon - "Trouble Comes Running"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Sufjan Stevens - "Too Much"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Sufjan Stevens - "I Walked"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Sufjan Stevens - "Vesuvius"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Surfer Blood - "Swim"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Surfer Blood - "Floating Vibes"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">The Tallest Man on Earth - "Burden of Tomorrow"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Vampire Weekend - "Horchatta"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Vampire Weekend - "Cousins"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Vampire Weekend - "Giving Up the Gun"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Veronica Falls - "Beachy Head"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Veronica Falls - "Starry Eyes" (Roky Erickson cover)</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">The Walkmen - "Stranded"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">The Walkmen - "Victory"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">The Walkmen - "Angela Surf City"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Wavves - "King of the Beach"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Yeasayer - "Ambling Alp"</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Yeasayer - "O.N.E."</span></li></ol></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">My 6 Favorite Shows of the Year</span></b></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">#1. Guided By Voices @ The East Side Drive-In, Austin, TX - September 30th</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">#2. Roger Waters @ The American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX - November 21st</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">#3. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros @ La Zona Rosa, Austin, TX - July 6th</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">#4. Evan Dando @ Emo's, Austin, TX - February 24th</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">#5. The Black Angels/Black Mountain at La Zona Rosa, Austin, TX - November 19th</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">#6. Justin Townes Earle @ Stubbs BBQ, Austin, TX - February 4th</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Artists that released new music in 2010 that I still plan to check out someday</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> --> Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffitti, The Avett Brothers, Blitzen Trapper, Codeine Velvet Club, Darker My Love, Grinderman, Jack Johnson, Joanna Newsome, Jonsi, The Len Price 3, Liars, The Lower Dens, Marah, Neil Young, OFF!, Patrick Park, Pete Yorn, Quasi, Ray Lamontagne, Ryan Bingham, Suckers, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, </span></div>mega-superior goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398105652723315971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894481376755928125.post-58517858069338763532009-12-31T19:13:00.004-06:002011-01-20T16:20:13.224-06:00My Favorite Albums/Songs of 2009.<b>So last night, I stayed up late trying to figure this out, but I think I've finally narrowed down my favorite albums of the year. This year was tough! There were some great albums that I didn't get a chance to check out but wanted to..... they include new ones from Camera Obscura, Julian Casablancas, Bob Dylan, Animal Collective, The Horrors, Tom Waits, Bat for Lashes, The Raveonettes, Franz Ferdinand, The Decemberists, David Rawlings, and Mission to Burma......... but here they are...... along with my favorite songs of the year.</b><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">My Top 13 Albums of 2009</span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">#1. The Avett Brothers - I and Love and You</span></b></div><div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">#2. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros</span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Qb9jY8yAxgs&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Qb9jY8yAxgs&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">#3. The Flaming Lips - Embryonic</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">#4. Andrew Bird - Noble Beast</span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aWc0oAvcrIM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aWc0oAvcrIM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">#5. U2 - No Line on the Horizon</span></span></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">#6. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">#7. Girls - Album</span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">#8. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca</span></b></div><div><b><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">#9. Slaid Cleaves - Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">#10. The Arctic Monkeys - Humbug</span></span></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">#11. Heartless Bastards - The Mountain</span></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">#12. The Cribs - Ignore the Ignorant</span></b></div><div><b><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">#13. Grizzly Bea</span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">r - Veckatimest</span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/J5UHZZx9xw8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/J5UHZZx9xw8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br /></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><br /></b></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">My Favorite Tunes of 2009</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Cornerstone - Arctic Monkeys</div><div>Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise - Avett Brothers</div><div>Laundry Room - Avett Brothers</div><div>40 Dogs - Bob Schneider</div><div>Leftovers - Jarvis Cocker</div><div>We Share the Same Skies - The Cribs</div><div>Heartbroken in Disrepair - Dan Auerbach</div><div>Stillness in the Move - Dirty Projectors</div><div>Knotty Pine - Dirty Projectors with David Byrne</div><div>Home - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros</div><div>Lust for Life - Girls</div><div>Pulling on a Line - Great Lake Swimmers</div><div>Fee Da Da Dee - The Guggenheim Grotto</div><div>The Mountain - Heartless Bastards</div><div>I'm Watching You - Jay Reatard</div><div>Dear God - Monsters of Folk</div><div>I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris - Morrissey</div><div>So Far Round the Bend - The National</div><div>People Got a Lotta Nerve - Neko Case</div><div>Teclar - Os Mutantes</div><div>To Kingdom Come - Passion Pit</div><div>The End - Pearl Jam</div><div>Cry - Slaid Cleaves</div><div>Magnificsent - U2</div><div>You Never Know - Wilco</div><div>Zero - the Yeah Yeah Yeahs</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div></div>mega-superior goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398105652723315971noreply@blogger.com0