Every male keyboardist I've seen in recent months has doubled as a go-go boy for the band, engaging in handstands, percussion tossing, flamboyant hand claps and gratuitous sweeps across the faux-ivories. Women who play the same instrument tend to be cool and remote, their parts devoid of bombast. Is it because dudes trapped behind distinctly non-phallic instruments feel the need to overcompensate?
One particularly egregious example I caught recently was Thunderbirds Are Now, who were opening for Bardo Pond (Psychedelphia lives, still can't sing) and Buffy theme enthusiasts Kinski. While Justamustache was energetic and consistent for a debut record, it was depressing to watch a band that didn't have a single idea outside the realm of "Les Savy Fav meets Franz Ferdinand." Their rote stage presence was dismaying as well. Occasionally the singer/guitarist would stand on his PA and stare accusingly at the audience while playing a chord. The keyboardist would spin around and throw his tambourine against the while before pointing a finger in the air and nodding frenetically. I caught the Warped tour and almost every band there was pulling the same uninspired showmanship, except for the Dropkick Murphys (the token "punk" act at this emo revue) and a funk-metal combo wearing nothing but wireless guitars, mohawks and loincloths (I ran). "Whether six or six thousand people are watching, we're gonna rock" has become "we're going to act like six thousand people think we're great even if only six people are watching us." I'm guessing women in bands realize they don't need to try so hard to get audiences to stare at them. And they'd be right.
It turns out that the lead singer of Gratitude, easily the most absurd combo I saw at Warped, was also the man behind Onelinedrawing, an emo project I remember reading about in Rolling Stone before hearing about them anywhere else (allmusic tells me they were on Jade Tree, which is just super). Dude's an unholy combination of Guy Picciotto and Bruce Springsteen, prancing around in tight jeans and noting between each number that "this is about all of us coming together," despite the fact that 95% of the people 'watching' the band were as seated as they'll ever be in their life. The most emotional response they received was me and Keith Harris's giggles as the singer held up his band's tour-only EP and pointed out that this was the song were he and the guitarist played alone for the first verse ("it would be great if you would all sing along").
Btw, if anybody reading this is in a band: please don't suggest to the audience that they should sing along, dance, go wild, move closer to the stage, throw their hands in the air or anything else in that capacity unless we've made it clear that we'd probably do it anyway. Most acts should be grateful we paid the cover and shouldn't be asking for more. If anything, keep your exhortations to "please take two steps back! pretty pretty pretty pretty please!" if your band is as popular and invigorating as My Chemical Romance was at Warped, or, if you think we're not giving you the enthusiastic response you deserve, tell us to go fuck ourselves. Haughty bile will allow the fraction of the audience that likes you to feel special for realizing the greatness that is lost on everyone else. Just don't beg for love.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Top Five Couplets From Billboard Top 20 Modern Rock Singles That I Haven't Heard Yet
(what with the lack of internet and moving and everything)
Green Day, "Wake Me When September Ends"
Government greed and corporate need
doves that cry and hearts that bleed
praying it gets better someday
there's just got to be a way
311, "Don't Tread On Me"
Rockin' wit' the flavor for eleven years
got memories full of laughter and tears
critics politickin' but that shit ain't stickin'
still got the ill skills that pay the bills and we're kickin'
Switchfoot, "Stars"
It's the first time that I've held your hand
and it feels like you might understand
your smile and the way that you sigh
this love is the stars in the sky
System Of A Down, "Question!"
Psychotic sentient symbol of sin
frustrated fearful but not giving in
They scream at the gates and you're turning you're burning you're churning you're worried you're going to pay you're going to pay you're going to pay and PAY
la la la la la
Audioslave, "Doesn't Remind Me"
The mirror lies to me
it's not reality
the bleeding within
I can't see the bleeding within
p.s. people in Miami get to read my blurbs now. Jealous? Of them, I mean.
(what with the lack of internet and moving and everything)
Green Day, "Wake Me When September Ends"
Government greed and corporate need
doves that cry and hearts that bleed
praying it gets better someday
there's just got to be a way
311, "Don't Tread On Me"
Rockin' wit' the flavor for eleven years
got memories full of laughter and tears
critics politickin' but that shit ain't stickin'
still got the ill skills that pay the bills and we're kickin'
Switchfoot, "Stars"
It's the first time that I've held your hand
and it feels like you might understand
your smile and the way that you sigh
this love is the stars in the sky
System Of A Down, "Question!"
Psychotic sentient symbol of sin
frustrated fearful but not giving in
They scream at the gates and you're turning you're burning you're churning you're worried you're going to pay you're going to pay you're going to pay and PAY
la la la la la
Audioslave, "Doesn't Remind Me"
The mirror lies to me
it's not reality
the bleeding within
I can't see the bleeding within
p.s. people in Miami get to read my blurbs now. Jealous? Of them, I mean.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Playlist for LAST RADIO SHOW EVER
(which didn't get taped, sorry - I said as little as possible so I could play more music)
Feelies - Boy With Perpetual Nervousness
Fall - Theme From Sparta F.C.
Deus - Suds And Soda
Cracker - I'm A Little Rocketship
Danielson Famile - Fathom The Nines Fruitspie
Park Ave. - All Boy Band
Bright Eyes - The Calendar Hung Itself
Desaparecidos - $$$$
Fugazi - Smallpox Champion
Kimya Dawson - You Love Me
East River Pipe - Cybercar
Nick Cave - There She Goes, My Beautiful World
Dismemberment Plan - Ice Of Boston
Jonathan FireEater - Give Me Daughters
Hives - Abra Cadaver
Pixies - U-Mass
Gossip - Heartbeats
Mudhoney - Good Enough
Les Savy Fav - Hold On To Your Genre
Imperial Teen - You're One
Modest Mouse - Perfect Disguise
Sand On Stars - Margaret Is In Cincinnati
Rondelles - Rediscover Fire
Scrawl - Rot
Urge Overkill - The Mistake
Tall Dwarfs - Rorschach
Quasi - Smile
Morrissey - Last Of The Famous International Playboys
The Cure - Cut Here
Silkworm - Don't Look Back
Only two hours left on a radio station? Make sure you get in a block of Conor Oberst. And Cracker. Can't forget Cracker.
My computer, ashamed of the incredible amount of mp3s I'd spent the last month burning off of CDs from my friends, the station and the PSU library, committed hari kari last night. Stripped of my illicit booty, I am chastened. Stripped of my computer, I probably won't be the easiest person to reach for a while (unless you live in Philly). Back when I'm back.
(which didn't get taped, sorry - I said as little as possible so I could play more music)
Feelies - Boy With Perpetual Nervousness
Fall - Theme From Sparta F.C.
Deus - Suds And Soda
Cracker - I'm A Little Rocketship
Danielson Famile - Fathom The Nines Fruitspie
Park Ave. - All Boy Band
Bright Eyes - The Calendar Hung Itself
Desaparecidos - $$$$
Fugazi - Smallpox Champion
Kimya Dawson - You Love Me
East River Pipe - Cybercar
Nick Cave - There She Goes, My Beautiful World
Dismemberment Plan - Ice Of Boston
Jonathan FireEater - Give Me Daughters
Hives - Abra Cadaver
Pixies - U-Mass
Gossip - Heartbeats
Mudhoney - Good Enough
Les Savy Fav - Hold On To Your Genre
Imperial Teen - You're One
Modest Mouse - Perfect Disguise
Sand On Stars - Margaret Is In Cincinnati
Rondelles - Rediscover Fire
Scrawl - Rot
Urge Overkill - The Mistake
Tall Dwarfs - Rorschach
Quasi - Smile
Morrissey - Last Of The Famous International Playboys
The Cure - Cut Here
Silkworm - Don't Look Back
Only two hours left on a radio station? Make sure you get in a block of Conor Oberst. And Cracker. Can't forget Cracker.
My computer, ashamed of the incredible amount of mp3s I'd spent the last month burning off of CDs from my friends, the station and the PSU library, committed hari kari last night. Stripped of my illicit booty, I am chastened. Stripped of my computer, I probably won't be the easiest person to reach for a while (unless you live in Philly). Back when I'm back.
Monday, August 01, 2005
Waaaay down at the bottom of this impressive-as-expected Tofu Hut post is my favorite Smashmouth album track. Trust me, it's worth hearing.
Friday, July 29, 2005
do you believe planets are aligned? it always fascinates me the way that history and astronimy coincide in fantastical ways. there is no plan, but everything happens for a reason. i am moving to philadelphia in less than two weeks. finally leaving the hometown. sad, but happy, excited. a mix of emotions that is long overdue. i crave the unknown and the unknown awaits. i won't be posting much these days. my schedule is intense and i feel like a receptacle rather than an outlet right now. but i would anticipate the extreme upon return. there is something brewing, something magic, and you have front row seats. life is amazing. treat each other nice and believe in UFOs.
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Me on the MC5 for Stylus. Think that Kramer-Davis-Thompson group will record an album? The Stooges are, the New York Dolls are, Big Star are. I can't imagine they want to be left out.
Friday, July 22, 2005
I don't always link to the US Singles Jukebox columns on Stylus, as I figure if you care you'd know to check each Friday. That said, I gave no track less than a 5 and two got 7's, which may make it the most consistent week in ages. Plus I coined the termed "sassy-blando" for one of the 7's.
Rating music is a worthless sop to the simple-minded, but here's the logic I apply when higher forces dictate the presence of numerics:
10 = "Under Pressure" by Queen & David Bowie
9 = my eyes roll in the back of my head when I describe it
8 = must-get
7 = might-keep
6 = entertaining enough for radio
5 = inoffensively mediocre
4 = offensively mediocre
3 = repulsive
2 = I punch the table when somebody says it's not that bad.
1 = I've quit reviewing music in response.
0 = I've killed myself in fear of hearing it again.
Rating music is a worthless sop to the simple-minded, but here's the logic I apply when higher forces dictate the presence of numerics:
10 = "Under Pressure" by Queen & David Bowie
9 = my eyes roll in the back of my head when I describe it
8 = must-get
7 = might-keep
6 = entertaining enough for radio
5 = inoffensively mediocre
4 = offensively mediocre
3 = repulsive
2 = I punch the table when somebody says it's not that bad.
1 = I've quit reviewing music in response.
0 = I've killed myself in fear of hearing it again.
Thursday, July 21, 2005
While trying to explain my intense fascination and affection for Electric Six on IM, I noted "haha I sound like xgau talking about the New York Dolls." Since then I've been indulging in my standard x = y + z fun-fun, in this case being Electric Six = New York Dolls + 30 years of American downfall. Good time charlies with an l-u-v of rock trash and apocalyptic grandeur ("would you make it with FRANKENSTEIN?"), Good People Thinking Bad Thoughts. Since a whole lot of cool jazz has gone down since the Dolls (punk, pop-metal, disco, new wave) the band has plenty of fresh touchstones to plunder.
That said, the problem with realizing what Great Old Thing a Fresh Young Thing resembles is that you can probably guess the outcome. The uncertain fate of Senor Smoke in their own frikkin' country could easily inspire Dick Valentine to settle for EITHER apocalyptic freak show or happy showmanship, and I'm guessing he'll pick the latter. While the good-natured if ineffectual life of a Buster Poindexter is a comfortable fate that Valentine has certainly earned, it's kind of a bummer to know the script beforehand. Those who know the past are condemned to watch everybody else repeat it (btw, if Valentine proves me wrong, no one will be happier than me).
THAT SAID, a whole lot of people seem to bone on for acts that scream 1991 to me, even though that leads to 1994 to 1998 to 2001 to right back where we are rather quickly. Electric Six at least harken back to 1973, back to PROTO-PUNK (they even cover "Street Life"!), back to a more fertile field than what was wrought by Lollapaloozers. Strawmen who pine for the glory days of SST-thru-Nirvana should be forced to listen to "Boulevard Of Broken Dreams" on a 24-hour loop. Indie rock, while slightly rife with a variety of lyrical joys and sonic pleasures, is basically a farm league where arty/collegiate weirdos prove their commercial worth to corporations. Even if they stick with their Merge or their Saddle Creek they're still lickin' some Clear Channel, some Yahoo Music, some MTV. Their big accomplishment is a top 50 debut on the Billboard Hot 100, a no. 16 nod on the Modern Rock Top 20. Gold.
Electric Six, as PROTO-punk, represent a kind of shameless musical buggery that could inspire a kick-hankerin' Steve Jones, be appreciated by a deconstructioneer like Johnny Rotten and serve as a safety net for a conflicted freak like W. Axl Rose. Their songs are exaggerations today, but God and/or Satan willing, some kid in 2025 might wonder what the big deal is - "I heard they're crazy, but it's just rock."
That said, the problem with realizing what Great Old Thing a Fresh Young Thing resembles is that you can probably guess the outcome. The uncertain fate of Senor Smoke in their own frikkin' country could easily inspire Dick Valentine to settle for EITHER apocalyptic freak show or happy showmanship, and I'm guessing he'll pick the latter. While the good-natured if ineffectual life of a Buster Poindexter is a comfortable fate that Valentine has certainly earned, it's kind of a bummer to know the script beforehand. Those who know the past are condemned to watch everybody else repeat it (btw, if Valentine proves me wrong, no one will be happier than me).
THAT SAID, a whole lot of people seem to bone on for acts that scream 1991 to me, even though that leads to 1994 to 1998 to 2001 to right back where we are rather quickly. Electric Six at least harken back to 1973, back to PROTO-PUNK (they even cover "Street Life"!), back to a more fertile field than what was wrought by Lollapaloozers. Strawmen who pine for the glory days of SST-thru-Nirvana should be forced to listen to "Boulevard Of Broken Dreams" on a 24-hour loop. Indie rock, while slightly rife with a variety of lyrical joys and sonic pleasures, is basically a farm league where arty/collegiate weirdos prove their commercial worth to corporations. Even if they stick with their Merge or their Saddle Creek they're still lickin' some Clear Channel, some Yahoo Music, some MTV. Their big accomplishment is a top 50 debut on the Billboard Hot 100, a no. 16 nod on the Modern Rock Top 20. Gold.
Electric Six, as PROTO-punk, represent a kind of shameless musical buggery that could inspire a kick-hankerin' Steve Jones, be appreciated by a deconstructioneer like Johnny Rotten and serve as a safety net for a conflicted freak like W. Axl Rose. Their songs are exaggerations today, but God and/or Satan willing, some kid in 2025 might wonder what the big deal is - "I heard they're crazy, but it's just rock."
Monday, July 18, 2005
Radio show playlist:
And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead - Let It Dive
Belle & Sebastian - Lord Anthony
Clinic - The Second Line
Decemberists - The Sporting Life
Emperor X - Shut Shut Up
Fall - Touch Sensitive
Grandaddy - The Group Who Couldn't Say
Hold Steady - Stevie Nix
Ida - Written On My Face
Jesus And Mary Chain - Just Like Honey
Keren Ann - One Day Without
Louis XIV - All The Little Pieces
Mountain Goats - Have To Explode
New Wet Kojak - Do The Math
Osker - Contention
Papas Fritas - Say Goodbye
Queens Of The Stone Age - I Never Came
Raveonettes - Love In A Trash Can
Spoon - Was It You
Thunderbirds Are Now - From: Skulls
Urge Overkill - Goodbye To Guyville
VCR - Rad
Wire - A Series Of Snakes
XTC - Are You Receiving Me?
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Y Control
Electric Six - Rock'n'Roll Evacuation
Electric Six - Jimmy Carter
Electric Six - Be My Dark Angel
Electric Six - Vibrator
Electric Six - Radio Ga Ga
Guess who finally can listen to Senor Smoke on disc? Thanks to Jefferson for the mp3s. With friends like this, why bother figuring out how to make your computer Soulseek-friendly?
The most recent Billboard Top 50 single I like is "Get It Poppin'," eight weeks old. WTF? It's summer! Shouldn't newbies be popping up every week? Pop radio (at least in central PA - God, I can't wait to hear the Philly stations) feels mad stagnant right now. I'm finding myself actually looking forward to "Don't Phunk With My Heart." The weather is muggy, I've got a million things to get done and no new summer jam to brighten it up. I guess I should be glad I haven't heard Bo Bice yet.
And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead - Let It Dive
Belle & Sebastian - Lord Anthony
Clinic - The Second Line
Decemberists - The Sporting Life
Emperor X - Shut Shut Up
Fall - Touch Sensitive
Grandaddy - The Group Who Couldn't Say
Hold Steady - Stevie Nix
Ida - Written On My Face
Jesus And Mary Chain - Just Like Honey
Keren Ann - One Day Without
Louis XIV - All The Little Pieces
Mountain Goats - Have To Explode
New Wet Kojak - Do The Math
Osker - Contention
Papas Fritas - Say Goodbye
Queens Of The Stone Age - I Never Came
Raveonettes - Love In A Trash Can
Spoon - Was It You
Thunderbirds Are Now - From: Skulls
Urge Overkill - Goodbye To Guyville
VCR - Rad
Wire - A Series Of Snakes
XTC - Are You Receiving Me?
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Y Control
Electric Six - Rock'n'Roll Evacuation
Electric Six - Jimmy Carter
Electric Six - Be My Dark Angel
Electric Six - Vibrator
Electric Six - Radio Ga Ga
Guess who finally can listen to Senor Smoke on disc? Thanks to Jefferson for the mp3s. With friends like this, why bother figuring out how to make your computer Soulseek-friendly?
The most recent Billboard Top 50 single I like is "Get It Poppin'," eight weeks old. WTF? It's summer! Shouldn't newbies be popping up every week? Pop radio (at least in central PA - God, I can't wait to hear the Philly stations) feels mad stagnant right now. I'm finding myself actually looking forward to "Don't Phunk With My Heart." The weather is muggy, I've got a million things to get done and no new summer jam to brighten it up. I guess I should be glad I haven't heard Bo Bice yet.
Saturday, July 16, 2005
This is probably not the treatment for the upcoming video for "This Year" by the Mountain Goats.
"I broke free on a Saturday morning..."
Shot of Tatooine's twin suns.
"put the pedal to the floor..."
Luke zooming around in desert cruiser.
"my broken home behind me, and good things ahead..."
shot of his family's burnt out home.
"a girl name Cathy wants a little of my time..."
Luke stares at R2-D2's projection of Leia.
"six cyllinders..."
TIE-fighters and x-wings battle in space
"I am gonna make it through this year, if it kills me..."
various pilots are shot up and electrocuted during space battle.
"I played video games in a drunken haze..."
Luke has lightsaber practice with an orb.
"the taste of scotch rich on my tongue..."
Han drinks in the bar on Tatooine, Luke enters.
"and then Cathy showed up..."
Luke and Han remove stormtrooper helmets in front of a captured Leia.
"twin high maintenance machines..."
C-3PO and R2-D2 scurry down a hallway.
"I am gonna make it through this year, if it kills me..."
Laser fight between our helmet-free heroes and storm troopers.
"I drove home in the California dusk..."
Team piles into the cockpit of the Millenium Falcon.
"the look on my stepfathers face..."
Darth Vader staring out window towards space.
"the motor screaming, stuck in second gear..."
Falcon switches into light speed.
"the scene ends badly as you might imagine..."
One-handed luke silently screams "no!" as darth reaches out to him on the platform.
"in a cavalcade of anger and fear..."
Luke leaps off platform, falls down giant shaft.
"there will be feasting, and dancing in Jerusalem next year.."
The celebration on the Moon Of Endor from Return Of The Jedi.
"I am gonna make it through this year, if it kills me..."
Luke hangs on antenna until finally found by Leia, Lando et al.
Video ends with shot of Falcon shifting into light speed.
"I broke free on a Saturday morning..."
Shot of Tatooine's twin suns.
"put the pedal to the floor..."
Luke zooming around in desert cruiser.
"my broken home behind me, and good things ahead..."
shot of his family's burnt out home.
"a girl name Cathy wants a little of my time..."
Luke stares at R2-D2's projection of Leia.
"six cyllinders..."
TIE-fighters and x-wings battle in space
"I am gonna make it through this year, if it kills me..."
various pilots are shot up and electrocuted during space battle.
"I played video games in a drunken haze..."
Luke has lightsaber practice with an orb.
"the taste of scotch rich on my tongue..."
Han drinks in the bar on Tatooine, Luke enters.
"and then Cathy showed up..."
Luke and Han remove stormtrooper helmets in front of a captured Leia.
"twin high maintenance machines..."
C-3PO and R2-D2 scurry down a hallway.
"I am gonna make it through this year, if it kills me..."
Laser fight between our helmet-free heroes and storm troopers.
"I drove home in the California dusk..."
Team piles into the cockpit of the Millenium Falcon.
"the look on my stepfathers face..."
Darth Vader staring out window towards space.
"the motor screaming, stuck in second gear..."
Falcon switches into light speed.
"the scene ends badly as you might imagine..."
One-handed luke silently screams "no!" as darth reaches out to him on the platform.
"in a cavalcade of anger and fear..."
Luke leaps off platform, falls down giant shaft.
"there will be feasting, and dancing in Jerusalem next year.."
The celebration on the Moon Of Endor from Return Of The Jedi.
"I am gonna make it through this year, if it kills me..."
Luke hangs on antenna until finally found by Leia, Lando et al.
Video ends with shot of Falcon shifting into light speed.
Friday, July 15, 2005
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
DJed at Roustabout for what will likely be the last time (unless they let me be a "guest DJ from Philly" when visiting). My friend William, who had never done it before, joined in - I played one track, then he did, then me, then him, etc. He played a lot of great, respectable rock from the 80s and earlier; I played bands from the 90s on that ripped them off (plus some golden oldies to prove I could).
XTC - Statue Of Liberty
Billy Childish - I'm A Confused Man
Sloan - False Alarm
Au Pairs - We're So Cool
Cheap Trick - Clock Strikes Ten
Wire - Map Ref
Helium - Superball
Public Nuisance - Love Is A Feeling
Gun Club - Sex Beat
Mekons - Millionaire
Marbles - Out Of Zone
Cure - Jumping Someone Else's Train
Bloc Party - Banquet
Dream Syndicate - Definitely Clean
Clinic - The Second Line
Misfits - Teenagers From Mars
Buzzcocks - I Don't Mind
Josef K - Sorry For Laughing
Then the opening band played two songs and stopped, eventually explaining that they were doing a 'soundcheck.' Hmm. Both A.R.E. and Amps are my choices cuz William put in the wrong disc - sounded like klezmer or something (not that I know what klezmer sounds like).
A.R.E. Weapons - Don't Be Scared
Amps - Tipp City
Bush Tetras - Cowboys In Africa
McLusky - To Hell With Good Intentions
Stooges - Down On The Street
Wipers - Over The Edge
Magazine - I Love You, You Big Dummy
Then the band, which looked like the D-Plan and sounded like the D-Plan if you removed everything but indie jazzbo, played. Names removed to protect the guilty from a depressing google.
Louis XIV - Paper Doll
Comsat Angels - Waiting For A Miracle
Diodes - Tired Of Waking Up Tired
Os Mutantes - Batmocambo
Talking Heads - Sugar On My Tongue
Clean - Tally Ho
REM - Wolves, Lower
Spirit - Animal Zoo
Nick Lowe - So It Goes
Silver Apples - Program
Second band followed. Sounded like Rilo Kiley (or Letters To Cleo, same diff) and the singer herkyjerked like Ashlee Simpson. Good for them. William started off the last dj set despite ending the previous, as he had a song by an artist from the band's home state.
Normals - Almost Ready
Interpol - Evil
Social Distortion - Makin' Believe
LeTigre - Deceptacon
Television Personalities - Part-Time Punks
Swell Maps - Spitfire Parade
Flamin' Groovies - Absolutely Sweet Marie
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Y Control
The Sound - Party In My Mind
Queens Of The Stone Age - Broken Box
Daniel Johnston - Love Wheel
Electric Six - Electric Demons In Love
Heartbreakers - Born To Lose
Rocket From The Crypt - Turkish Revenge
Eddie & The Hot Rods - Do What You Want To Do
Spinto Band - Oh, Mandy
Rezillos - Destination Venus
Electric Six - The Future Is In The Future
How's that for an enjoyable nerdout?
XTC - Statue Of Liberty
Billy Childish - I'm A Confused Man
Sloan - False Alarm
Au Pairs - We're So Cool
Cheap Trick - Clock Strikes Ten
Wire - Map Ref
Helium - Superball
Public Nuisance - Love Is A Feeling
Gun Club - Sex Beat
Mekons - Millionaire
Marbles - Out Of Zone
Cure - Jumping Someone Else's Train
Bloc Party - Banquet
Dream Syndicate - Definitely Clean
Clinic - The Second Line
Misfits - Teenagers From Mars
Buzzcocks - I Don't Mind
Josef K - Sorry For Laughing
Then the opening band played two songs and stopped, eventually explaining that they were doing a 'soundcheck.' Hmm. Both A.R.E. and Amps are my choices cuz William put in the wrong disc - sounded like klezmer or something (not that I know what klezmer sounds like).
A.R.E. Weapons - Don't Be Scared
Amps - Tipp City
Bush Tetras - Cowboys In Africa
McLusky - To Hell With Good Intentions
Stooges - Down On The Street
Wipers - Over The Edge
Magazine - I Love You, You Big Dummy
Then the band, which looked like the D-Plan and sounded like the D-Plan if you removed everything but indie jazzbo, played. Names removed to protect the guilty from a depressing google.
Louis XIV - Paper Doll
Comsat Angels - Waiting For A Miracle
Diodes - Tired Of Waking Up Tired
Os Mutantes - Batmocambo
Talking Heads - Sugar On My Tongue
Clean - Tally Ho
REM - Wolves, Lower
Spirit - Animal Zoo
Nick Lowe - So It Goes
Silver Apples - Program
Second band followed. Sounded like Rilo Kiley (or Letters To Cleo, same diff) and the singer herkyjerked like Ashlee Simpson. Good for them. William started off the last dj set despite ending the previous, as he had a song by an artist from the band's home state.
Normals - Almost Ready
Interpol - Evil
Social Distortion - Makin' Believe
LeTigre - Deceptacon
Television Personalities - Part-Time Punks
Swell Maps - Spitfire Parade
Flamin' Groovies - Absolutely Sweet Marie
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Y Control
The Sound - Party In My Mind
Queens Of The Stone Age - Broken Box
Daniel Johnston - Love Wheel
Electric Six - Electric Demons In Love
Heartbreakers - Born To Lose
Rocket From The Crypt - Turkish Revenge
Eddie & The Hot Rods - Do What You Want To Do
Spinto Band - Oh, Mandy
Rezillos - Destination Venus
Electric Six - The Future Is In The Future
How's that for an enjoyable nerdout?
Monday, July 11, 2005
Reporting mid-radio show (no playlist today cuz my selections aren't THAT inspired - feel free to listen all the same) to note that "Live Again" is up at The Hut along with another bevvy of reliably remarkable goodies from Johnny Forks. The man is a champ.
I have burnt and taped so many albums from this place over the years, met so many great people - I should never complain about the constrictiveness of playing swear-free indie. This station has been a blessing. My first weekly show was Saturday 7-9am! The 1999 spring semester! Memories, sniffles, etc. I'll do more inspired shows for the rest of the month, scout's honor. You should listen! Every Monday 11am-1pm EST, click the Lion link on the left. I'll even talk in funny voices. Not today, though. Today is my last uninvolved plow-through. Proof: I'm playing "Ageless Beauty" by Stars followed by the Decemberists. What am I, Starbucks?
I have burnt and taped so many albums from this place over the years, met so many great people - I should never complain about the constrictiveness of playing swear-free indie. This station has been a blessing. My first weekly show was Saturday 7-9am! The 1999 spring semester! Memories, sniffles, etc. I'll do more inspired shows for the rest of the month, scout's honor. You should listen! Every Monday 11am-1pm EST, click the Lion link on the left. I'll even talk in funny voices. Not today, though. Today is my last uninvolved plow-through. Proof: I'm playing "Ageless Beauty" by Stars followed by the Decemberists. What am I, Starbucks?
Saturday, July 09, 2005
Dom Passantino is a great writer. Watch this dude. To haters, if you can't be cynical about the music industry, what CAN you be cynical about? Is it really that offensive to run into a sarcastic non-booster? Especially one so descriptive, one whose sardonic humor is this entertaining? If so, you really have no reason to be reading criticism. Stick with press releases.
Spent a lot of time this week making friends listen to TP3.Reloaded and watch the Trapped In The Closet DVD. Spent a lot of time watching friends laugh their ass off in disbelief. There's always a desire to use phrases like "artless" or "so bad its good," but they cloak the level of craft that must go into these campy miracles. Without the exuberance of his voice, the quality of the music and his gift for narrative, how would these ridiculous songs be so memorable? While he's no peer of Green, Gaye or Prince as an artist, he certainly trumps Pendergrass and Parker Jr. as entertainers. He sounds so spontaneous while mixing the crass and grandly passionate that he must either be an idiot savant or an irreverent comic genius, possibly both. The inexplicability is part of the appeal.
I'm not sure how many people are familiar with Frank Kogan's free lunch concept, but one thing I've wondered is whether these unspoken qualities become saleable if the artist stays in the media eye. Is Michael Jackson's paranoia really a secret goody today rather than an obvious trait? Likewise, R. Kelly's penchant for the absurd, evident from the very beginning ("I Like The Crotch On You," anyone?), has become more and more flagrant with each TP release: "Bump'n'Grind" to "Feelin' On Yo' Booty" to "Sex In The Kitchen." I have a hard time imagining anybody missing the batshit while listening to TP3.Reloaded, and that lack of restraint is part of what makes this my favorite Kelly album to date. Aside from a watered-down Usher rip (his only real competition as an entertainer these days) and maybe "(Sex) Love Is What We Makin'" every track is either energetic or completely bananas (those nutzoid slow jams have more juice than usual, too). His voice has only grown more lithe and pleasureful with time, and while nothing has the earnest gravity of "Turn Back The Hands Of Time," "Down Low" or even "Heaven, I Need A Hug," I don't think he's necessarily lost the ability to affect on that level. This time he's just not bothering to try.
As for the criminal allegations, I tend to assume all celebrities inject meth into their eyeballs while beating servants and molesting farm animals. If they're accused and found guilty of misdeeds, they should suffer the consequences. While I understand if others can't enjoy the art created by criminals or perverts, I can't give up my Chuck Berry and I can't give up my Kells.
Spent a lot of time this week making friends listen to TP3.Reloaded and watch the Trapped In The Closet DVD. Spent a lot of time watching friends laugh their ass off in disbelief. There's always a desire to use phrases like "artless" or "so bad its good," but they cloak the level of craft that must go into these campy miracles. Without the exuberance of his voice, the quality of the music and his gift for narrative, how would these ridiculous songs be so memorable? While he's no peer of Green, Gaye or Prince as an artist, he certainly trumps Pendergrass and Parker Jr. as entertainers. He sounds so spontaneous while mixing the crass and grandly passionate that he must either be an idiot savant or an irreverent comic genius, possibly both. The inexplicability is part of the appeal.
I'm not sure how many people are familiar with Frank Kogan's free lunch concept, but one thing I've wondered is whether these unspoken qualities become saleable if the artist stays in the media eye. Is Michael Jackson's paranoia really a secret goody today rather than an obvious trait? Likewise, R. Kelly's penchant for the absurd, evident from the very beginning ("I Like The Crotch On You," anyone?), has become more and more flagrant with each TP release: "Bump'n'Grind" to "Feelin' On Yo' Booty" to "Sex In The Kitchen." I have a hard time imagining anybody missing the batshit while listening to TP3.Reloaded, and that lack of restraint is part of what makes this my favorite Kelly album to date. Aside from a watered-down Usher rip (his only real competition as an entertainer these days) and maybe "(Sex) Love Is What We Makin'" every track is either energetic or completely bananas (those nutzoid slow jams have more juice than usual, too). His voice has only grown more lithe and pleasureful with time, and while nothing has the earnest gravity of "Turn Back The Hands Of Time," "Down Low" or even "Heaven, I Need A Hug," I don't think he's necessarily lost the ability to affect on that level. This time he's just not bothering to try.
As for the criminal allegations, I tend to assume all celebrities inject meth into their eyeballs while beating servants and molesting farm animals. If they're accused and found guilty of misdeeds, they should suffer the consequences. While I understand if others can't enjoy the art created by criminals or perverts, I can't give up my Chuck Berry and I can't give up my Kells.
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Here's a link to "Live Again" by the Ying Yang Twins featuring Adam Levine of Maroon 5, my favorite track of 2005 to date. I've never used yousendit before, but I wanted to do it at least once.
Saturday, July 02, 2005
Working in an empty library from 9-5 today meant getting watch a hell of a lot of live8 on aol. Caught some of the mtv coverage later. Evidently if you want to see the bands you should go online, if you want to learn more about the cause you should go online and if you want to see VJs wax poetic between gargantuan ad breaks you should watch TV like Bob asked you to.
Top ten ironies
1. Snoop Dogg and pals making peace signs while chanting "nah nah nahnah nah nah hey hey hey Snoop Dogg" a few minutes after "Cuz I never hesitate to put a nigga on his back." I'm sure the G8 were moved.
2. Madonna holding the hand of a girl who was twenty minutes from death until Live Aid happened (proving that charity is great, just so 1985) and asking if the audience is ready for the revolution while, an ocean away, Toby Keith celebrates the ability of Americans to leave the specifics of their indiscretions in the foreign country they were committed.
3. But, Tim, if we erase world debt, the poor in Africa won't live like they're dying!
4. If there's anybody who believes the powerful should forgive debts, it's a pimp. A big pimp.
5. Will Smith is under the impression that its rare for me to get to see bands and sign a petition.
6. Ipod ads on the big screens in Philly. "We Don't Want Your Money," right.
7. Bob Geldof is a dick.
8. Caught a "Thank You" ad made of participants' video clips on VH1 between two airings of "Comfortably Numb."
9. At one point I was actually moved. I've never heard Roxy Music's cover of "Jealous Guy" before.
10. People are defending this impotent, guilt-appeasing fanfare and fellatio in the name of awareness, as if anybody doesn't know people are dying in Africa. More people learned about Razorlight today than Africa.
On a lighter note, my good friend William demanded I list my top 5 songs of all time last night. Here's what I offered.
1. Queen & David Bowie, "Under Pressure"
2. Bob Dylan, "Like A Rolling Stone"
3. Adam & The Ants, "Stand And Deliver"
4. Sugar Ray, "Someday"
5. Sir Mix-A-Lot, "Baby Got Back"
I'll stand by that.
Top ten ironies
1. Snoop Dogg and pals making peace signs while chanting "nah nah nahnah nah nah hey hey hey Snoop Dogg" a few minutes after "Cuz I never hesitate to put a nigga on his back." I'm sure the G8 were moved.
2. Madonna holding the hand of a girl who was twenty minutes from death until Live Aid happened (proving that charity is great, just so 1985) and asking if the audience is ready for the revolution while, an ocean away, Toby Keith celebrates the ability of Americans to leave the specifics of their indiscretions in the foreign country they were committed.
3. But, Tim, if we erase world debt, the poor in Africa won't live like they're dying!
4. If there's anybody who believes the powerful should forgive debts, it's a pimp. A big pimp.
5. Will Smith is under the impression that its rare for me to get to see bands and sign a petition.
6. Ipod ads on the big screens in Philly. "We Don't Want Your Money," right.
7. Bob Geldof is a dick.
8. Caught a "Thank You" ad made of participants' video clips on VH1 between two airings of "Comfortably Numb."
9. At one point I was actually moved. I've never heard Roxy Music's cover of "Jealous Guy" before.
10. People are defending this impotent, guilt-appeasing fanfare and fellatio in the name of awareness, as if anybody doesn't know people are dying in Africa. More people learned about Razorlight today than Africa.
On a lighter note, my good friend William demanded I list my top 5 songs of all time last night. Here's what I offered.
1. Queen & David Bowie, "Under Pressure"
2. Bob Dylan, "Like A Rolling Stone"
3. Adam & The Ants, "Stand And Deliver"
4. Sugar Ray, "Someday"
5. Sir Mix-A-Lot, "Baby Got Back"
I'll stand by that.
Friday, July 01, 2005
What do free star-studded concerts have to do with showing a global desire to end debt in Africa? I wonder how many people would show up for these acts without the cause compared to how many people would show up for the cause without the acts. I'm guessing most would check out the big name bands for free in the name of bagels, in the name of Wal-Mart, in the name of Scrabble. Live8 means jack shit.
You don't know how glad I am that I'm not moving to Philly until August.
You don't know how glad I am that I'm not moving to Philly until August.
Thursday, June 30, 2005
The most female-sympathetic rap track I've heard all year, a danceworthy number that tries to make strip club enthusiasts realize that women aren't meat but people living complex, stressful, difficult lives (raising kids, going to school "while looking for love," "babydaddy ain't shit"), is by the Ying Yang Twins featuring Adam Levine of Maroon 5.
The Ying Yang Twins featuring Adam Levine of Maroon 5. Adam Levine moaning "ohhh, the life of a stripper..."
If there's any justice in the world we'll see a video for "Live Again."
My 2nd favorite track on the album is either "I need a badd bitch" or "I hate hoes and hoes hate me."
The Ying Yang Twins featuring Adam Levine of Maroon 5. Adam Levine moaning "ohhh, the life of a stripper..."
If there's any justice in the world we'll see a video for "Live Again."
My 2nd favorite track on the album is either "I need a badd bitch" or "I hate hoes and hoes hate me."
So many albums I haven't heard, more than 20 good albums out in year, mea culpa, that said...The 20 Albums Of 2005 I Haven't Chucked Yet.
1. Mountain Goats, The Sunset Tree
Color me corny, but this is the first album that’s ever made me want to be a better person. It also makes me want to be more diligent about self-editing my work (admittedly, these blurbs show little proof of this). That one of my least favorite tracks (by default) is “Dance Music” keeps me from worrying about whether or not I’ve got some know-the-guy bias (though yeah, it did help me past that initial “ew, TMBG, ew!” reaction to Tallahassee). I don’t like “Small Arms Traffic Blues” much either, who the heck keeps deciding what the ‘hits’ are? My pick is “Love Love Love.” I’ve never been so grateful to see someone risk cliché.
2. Electric Six, Senor Smoke
I’m this close to trying to figure out that bit torrent jive or buying the import. I need to have this on CD! I’ve been playing Fire on my discman for two years - more Electric Six...just out of reach! I've never walked to work listening to "Be My Dark Angel" or "Future Boys" and its an experience I crave. Electric Six are one of the few bands who make me wish I was their merch person (them and the Donnas, I think that's it). "Mr. President, make a little money sending people you don't know to Iraq! Mr. President, I don't like you! You don't know how to rock!" is smarter, funnier and more powerful than any other anti-Bush track I've heard and its just one couplet surrounded by insurgencies, emergencies, ties & pies. Senor Smoke is full of an apocalyptic absurdity the likes of which we haven't heard since 1999. WARNER BROS, MY BLOOD IS BOILING!!! RELEASE THIS ABLUM POST-HASTE.
3. Louis XIV, The Best Little Secrets Are Kept
“I might swipe your identity, take your love and turn it into obscenity.” “Well I'm a portal into blue collar human psychology. I need a fix, I don't need no apology.” “I want all the self conscious girls who try to hide who they are with makeup. You know it’s the girl with a frown with the tight pants I really want to shake up.” “She said ‘you son of a bitch, you little bitch, I ain't gonna show you my love without a hitch’.” “I know I ain't correct, but politics are so much better when there's sex.” “She said ‘oh, come on, boy aren't you tired of talking about sex?’ I said “little girl, what do you really expect?’” “She says ‘head case, head case, turn that thing around. Let's play a game when you hear me make a sound. Just go quite a bit faster, pretend that I'm gagged and bound.” “God save the Kinks.” “If you want clean fun, go fly a kite.”
4. Queens Of The Stone Age, Lullabies To Paralyze
You know what I want to check out sometime? That Buck Dharma solo album. I always thought he had more soul than Eric Bloom, I’d dig hearing an album where he does the vocals on every track. Should be some eccentric genre exercises on there. Anyhow, I don’t really mind the two long dirges on the second half cuz they’re preceded by “In My Head,” “Little Sister” and “I Never Came,” my favorite 1-2-3 on any album I’ve heard this year. And they’re followed by “Skin On Skin,” “Broken Box,” “Killer Scene” and “Long Slow Goodbye” which might be my favorite 1-2-3-4. Or maybe my favorite 1-2-3-4 is “Burn The Witch,” “In My Head,” “Little Sister” and “I Never Came.” Originally I told people this album was more consistent than Deaf but didn’t have any big hits. I’m realizing that’s really not the case, this album’s jam-packed with standards. Blue Oyster Cult’s a pretty awesome band to try and improve on – weirdass badass with pretty hits!
5. Spoon, Gimme Fiction
I love how I feel no desire to think hard about the lyrical content – the voice, melodies and beats are just too pleasurable on a mere (haha, mere) musical level. I realize some people are bummed that the band has focused on groove this time, but I think that’s what they’re good for anyhow. Keep in mind that Crazy Rhythms and Reckoning were my godhead in high school.
6. Fischerspooner, Odyssey
This is what Welcome To The Monkey House would have sounded like if it didn’t suck. I hear these guys are pretentious assholes, but these days its rare a good album makes me want to learn more about the band – interviews introduce intentions and all sorts of jazz that only gets in the way. Therefore, I remain blissfully ignorant of what these guys represent in NY (they wear funny clothes, right?).
7. Kelly Osbourne, Sleeping In The Nothing
Yeah, but you all UNDERrated Shut Up! so now we're even.
8. Emperor X, Central Hug/Friend Army/Fractal Dunes
I don’t know how you can make an energetic, intriguing lo-fi indie album in 2005. Is this guy really trying to one-up Clown Prince Of The Menthol Trailer? Is Up Records back in action? Are they still printing issues of Tape Op? Is Clinton in office? I mean, what the fuck? And how the hell does this sound so fresh? Most people who can write a good song just don’t bother with this sound anymore. If you miss this era, get this album
9. Stephen Malkmus, Face The Truth
This still stands.
10. Eels, Blinking Lights And Other Revelations
He’s said it all before, but he’s never said it so clearly or so humbly. Rather than any of the other standard traumas that usually get the credit for these evolutions, I have to assume its getting dropped by Dreamworks. They kept that guy on payroll for a long time, makes sense he’d feel the urge to get it all out while he still can.
Album I love that qualifies for Pazz'n'Jop 2005 even if the 2004 copywright means I won't include it on this list: The Mind Of Mannie Fresh
Good albums I heard today that also would have made this list a shade less indie: TP3.Reloaded, U.S.A. (The United States Of Atlanta)
1. Mountain Goats, The Sunset Tree
Color me corny, but this is the first album that’s ever made me want to be a better person. It also makes me want to be more diligent about self-editing my work (admittedly, these blurbs show little proof of this). That one of my least favorite tracks (by default) is “Dance Music” keeps me from worrying about whether or not I’ve got some know-the-guy bias (though yeah, it did help me past that initial “ew, TMBG, ew!” reaction to Tallahassee). I don’t like “Small Arms Traffic Blues” much either, who the heck keeps deciding what the ‘hits’ are? My pick is “Love Love Love.” I’ve never been so grateful to see someone risk cliché.
2. Electric Six, Senor Smoke
I’m this close to trying to figure out that bit torrent jive or buying the import. I need to have this on CD! I’ve been playing Fire on my discman for two years - more Electric Six...just out of reach! I've never walked to work listening to "Be My Dark Angel" or "Future Boys" and its an experience I crave. Electric Six are one of the few bands who make me wish I was their merch person (them and the Donnas, I think that's it). "Mr. President, make a little money sending people you don't know to Iraq! Mr. President, I don't like you! You don't know how to rock!" is smarter, funnier and more powerful than any other anti-Bush track I've heard and its just one couplet surrounded by insurgencies, emergencies, ties & pies. Senor Smoke is full of an apocalyptic absurdity the likes of which we haven't heard since 1999. WARNER BROS, MY BLOOD IS BOILING!!! RELEASE THIS ABLUM POST-HASTE.
3. Louis XIV, The Best Little Secrets Are Kept
“I might swipe your identity, take your love and turn it into obscenity.” “Well I'm a portal into blue collar human psychology. I need a fix, I don't need no apology.” “I want all the self conscious girls who try to hide who they are with makeup. You know it’s the girl with a frown with the tight pants I really want to shake up.” “She said ‘you son of a bitch, you little bitch, I ain't gonna show you my love without a hitch’.” “I know I ain't correct, but politics are so much better when there's sex.” “She said ‘oh, come on, boy aren't you tired of talking about sex?’ I said “little girl, what do you really expect?’” “She says ‘head case, head case, turn that thing around. Let's play a game when you hear me make a sound. Just go quite a bit faster, pretend that I'm gagged and bound.” “God save the Kinks.” “If you want clean fun, go fly a kite.”
4. Queens Of The Stone Age, Lullabies To Paralyze
You know what I want to check out sometime? That Buck Dharma solo album. I always thought he had more soul than Eric Bloom, I’d dig hearing an album where he does the vocals on every track. Should be some eccentric genre exercises on there. Anyhow, I don’t really mind the two long dirges on the second half cuz they’re preceded by “In My Head,” “Little Sister” and “I Never Came,” my favorite 1-2-3 on any album I’ve heard this year. And they’re followed by “Skin On Skin,” “Broken Box,” “Killer Scene” and “Long Slow Goodbye” which might be my favorite 1-2-3-4. Or maybe my favorite 1-2-3-4 is “Burn The Witch,” “In My Head,” “Little Sister” and “I Never Came.” Originally I told people this album was more consistent than Deaf but didn’t have any big hits. I’m realizing that’s really not the case, this album’s jam-packed with standards. Blue Oyster Cult’s a pretty awesome band to try and improve on – weirdass badass with pretty hits!
5. Spoon, Gimme Fiction
I love how I feel no desire to think hard about the lyrical content – the voice, melodies and beats are just too pleasurable on a mere (haha, mere) musical level. I realize some people are bummed that the band has focused on groove this time, but I think that’s what they’re good for anyhow. Keep in mind that Crazy Rhythms and Reckoning were my godhead in high school.
6. Fischerspooner, Odyssey
This is what Welcome To The Monkey House would have sounded like if it didn’t suck. I hear these guys are pretentious assholes, but these days its rare a good album makes me want to learn more about the band – interviews introduce intentions and all sorts of jazz that only gets in the way. Therefore, I remain blissfully ignorant of what these guys represent in NY (they wear funny clothes, right?).
7. Kelly Osbourne, Sleeping In The Nothing
Yeah, but you all UNDERrated Shut Up! so now we're even.
8. Emperor X, Central Hug/Friend Army/Fractal Dunes
I don’t know how you can make an energetic, intriguing lo-fi indie album in 2005. Is this guy really trying to one-up Clown Prince Of The Menthol Trailer? Is Up Records back in action? Are they still printing issues of Tape Op? Is Clinton in office? I mean, what the fuck? And how the hell does this sound so fresh? Most people who can write a good song just don’t bother with this sound anymore. If you miss this era, get this album
9. Stephen Malkmus, Face The Truth
This still stands.
10. Eels, Blinking Lights And Other Revelations
He’s said it all before, but he’s never said it so clearly or so humbly. Rather than any of the other standard traumas that usually get the credit for these evolutions, I have to assume its getting dropped by Dreamworks. They kept that guy on payroll for a long time, makes sense he’d feel the urge to get it all out while he still can.
Album I love that qualifies for Pazz'n'Jop 2005 even if the 2004 copywright means I won't include it on this list: The Mind Of Mannie Fresh
Good albums I heard today that also would have made this list a shade less indie: TP3.Reloaded, U.S.A. (The United States Of Atlanta)
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
The 20 Albums From 2005 I haven't chucked yet!
11. 50 Foot Wave, Golden Ocean
Last year I said that Coral Fang was the loudest album Kristin Hersh never recorded. Well, shut MY mouth. Do people stage dive at 50 Ft. Wave shows with flannel tied around their waist? They really should. I knew Kristin Hersh was a grunge enthusiast (in an old Rolling Stone she and her kid sang along to “Heart Shaped Box” in the car), but good lord, woman! A year ago I missed a chance to see them in Philly (with Trouble Everyday opening!) so I could catch Mission Of Burma. It still freaks me out that I'm moving to a town where you have to decide which Bostonian alt-rock legend you’re gonna see that night. You big city folk are spoiled!
12. Moby, Hotel
Ambient for songform addicts. Another Green Room. The trick is to expect, and want, nothing but comfort.
13. White Stripes, Get Behind Me Satan
Sounds like he’s losing it, but they haven’t lost it.
14. Loquat, It’s Yours To Keep
A non-ESL Bettie Serveert with no interest in Rock? A non-celestial Sarah McLachlan? The singer risks clumsy anonymity, the band skirts lite - if these guys were any better they’d be classic and if they were any worse they’d be unlistenable. Crossing my fingers. Recommendation: if you’re going to voice common frustrations about relationships, make sure to keep throwing in a few concrete nouns. Stay human.
15. Martha Wainwright, Martha Wainwright
For my money she’s doing a lot more with those genes.
16. Thunderbirds Are Now, Justamustache
I’m this close to being sick of any treblicious keyb-bleep Les Savy Fav rip-off band, EVEN the jumpy uptempo ones, but for now I’m still cool with the jumpy uptempo.
17. The Ponys, Celebration Castle
Old school with enthusiasm should be the least you can do. That so many do so much less is why I'm not sure if I could commit to this scene full-time. What's with the accents? I can't believe people still do this shtick a decade after Billie Joe got big.
18. The Evens, The Evens
Ian and Amy sitting in a tree, H-A-R-M-O-NI-ZING! With the scene weaker than ever the time is right for a Dischord/Teenbeat hybrid. Twee-an’s melodies and hushed moments should only surprise folks who didn’t check out The Argument or hear Ian’s piano ballad on the Instrument soundtrack. Dude’s become quite the crooner. The Evens have nothing on Minor Threat’s or Fugazi’s debut EPs, but this might beat Embrace.
19. Keren Ann, Nolita
I’m not gonzo about this rise of genteel Canadian bohemianism or whatever (Feist rolls right off me, the Arcade Fire should cover “Life In A Northern Town,” everyone in the New Pornographers shouldn’t be allowed to appear on anything other than soundtracks to ‘smart’ children’s shows, I don’t know or care about the Broken Social Scene), but tracks like “One Day Without” and “Nolita” actually grab me rather than reminding me how detached I feel from the whole Believer/true-blue-state culture.
20. Audible, Sky Signal
My friend Greg is nuts about Matt Pond PA. These ex-members sound like them except the beat's a little harder. Well, I care.
11. 50 Foot Wave, Golden Ocean
Last year I said that Coral Fang was the loudest album Kristin Hersh never recorded. Well, shut MY mouth. Do people stage dive at 50 Ft. Wave shows with flannel tied around their waist? They really should. I knew Kristin Hersh was a grunge enthusiast (in an old Rolling Stone she and her kid sang along to “Heart Shaped Box” in the car), but good lord, woman! A year ago I missed a chance to see them in Philly (with Trouble Everyday opening!) so I could catch Mission Of Burma. It still freaks me out that I'm moving to a town where you have to decide which Bostonian alt-rock legend you’re gonna see that night. You big city folk are spoiled!
12. Moby, Hotel
Ambient for songform addicts. Another Green Room. The trick is to expect, and want, nothing but comfort.
13. White Stripes, Get Behind Me Satan
Sounds like he’s losing it, but they haven’t lost it.
14. Loquat, It’s Yours To Keep
A non-ESL Bettie Serveert with no interest in Rock? A non-celestial Sarah McLachlan? The singer risks clumsy anonymity, the band skirts lite - if these guys were any better they’d be classic and if they were any worse they’d be unlistenable. Crossing my fingers. Recommendation: if you’re going to voice common frustrations about relationships, make sure to keep throwing in a few concrete nouns. Stay human.
15. Martha Wainwright, Martha Wainwright
For my money she’s doing a lot more with those genes.
16. Thunderbirds Are Now, Justamustache
I’m this close to being sick of any treblicious keyb-bleep Les Savy Fav rip-off band, EVEN the jumpy uptempo ones, but for now I’m still cool with the jumpy uptempo.
17. The Ponys, Celebration Castle
Old school with enthusiasm should be the least you can do. That so many do so much less is why I'm not sure if I could commit to this scene full-time. What's with the accents? I can't believe people still do this shtick a decade after Billie Joe got big.
18. The Evens, The Evens
Ian and Amy sitting in a tree, H-A-R-M-O-NI-ZING! With the scene weaker than ever the time is right for a Dischord/Teenbeat hybrid. Twee-an’s melodies and hushed moments should only surprise folks who didn’t check out The Argument or hear Ian’s piano ballad on the Instrument soundtrack. Dude’s become quite the crooner. The Evens have nothing on Minor Threat’s or Fugazi’s debut EPs, but this might beat Embrace.
19. Keren Ann, Nolita
I’m not gonzo about this rise of genteel Canadian bohemianism or whatever (Feist rolls right off me, the Arcade Fire should cover “Life In A Northern Town,” everyone in the New Pornographers shouldn’t be allowed to appear on anything other than soundtracks to ‘smart’ children’s shows, I don’t know or care about the Broken Social Scene), but tracks like “One Day Without” and “Nolita” actually grab me rather than reminding me how detached I feel from the whole Believer/true-blue-state culture.
20. Audible, Sky Signal
My friend Greg is nuts about Matt Pond PA. These ex-members sound like them except the beat's a little harder. Well, I care.
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