Well, I'm just back home after a brief sting (8 days) in the NYC, and I had a blast with some of my oldest, best friends, and even though I was only there for a short duration, I find it difficult getting back to the day-to-day of Corpus Christi life. Oh well, I'll get used to it, or die in the process, but here goes nothing.
On a musical note, I didn't really get to listen to too much stuff while I was in New York, but the stuff that I did get to listen to was pretty good, as well as being pretty scattered. Most of it I don't recall the name of because it was heard in passing, but what I do remember is one song by Karen O and the Kids (done for the soundtrack of Where The Wild Things Are). It was playing in a bar called DRAM, and above all of the shouting/talking voices, and the bartenders sharing recipes, it was like a heavenly presence in the room letting everyone know that all of their nonsense wouldn't outlast the sound. Now, I've been listening to Karen O and the Kids trying to find that particular song.
On another Karen O note, I've been listening to her side project, Native Korean Rock & The Fishnets. It's fantastic. Most of the recordings I've heard have been on Youtube, and they are all rough sounding demos, but if you love Yeah Yeah Yeahs as much as I do, you probably won't care. Here's the video for my favorite song from them so far, called "Body,"
Also, while browsing in a thrift store in uber-hipster wonderland that is Williamsburg, I found a CD in a dollar bin by a band called Buttsteak. Yeah, so I bought it, only to discover that they are a pop-punk band from the early 90's. Awesome, considering I hate pop-punk bullshit, but I'm listening to it right now, and it's definitely something I could get used to. Plus, they also do a cover of "These Boots Are Made For Walking." So, they've got class.
Peace!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Love and Chaos
Where do you find a balance between the two? And what are the good jams to get you through?
Well, lately, I have been sort of monopolizing Grooveshark to the extent that I am constantly digging within their scraps for something that is going to move me, shake me, or just create some semblance of a stir. What I've gathered from their dismal landscape are two great artists. One, I've mentioned before. The other, not as yet (and shame me for it!)
I've been listening to the debut, self-titled album by Silver Apples, and it's great. I wouldn't put it on for a typical day of doing shit around the house, but it's good to listen to if you're in the mood for something different and a little unsettling. Yes, unsettling. There weren't many slow, feel-good jams, but there were interesting moments. I like "Oscillations" and "Dancing Gods," the best (at least so far).
The other album I've been listening to is Safe as Milk by Captain Beefheart. After hearing The Kills cover their song "Dropout Boogie," on the extended edition of Keep On Your Mean Side, I thought I should seek out the original version and see what the Kills saw in it. And, while the original version is good, the entire album is fantastic. It has my favorites: blues, psychedelic, spontaneity, etc. Let's just boil it down to the fact that it was a good find.
Also, I'm in search of good love songs. I'm not talking about the classics like The Everly Brothers or The Temptations. I'm talking about contemporary love songs. I feel as though people nowadays can't really write a good love song, or at least a song that hits and cuts deep. Adele's "One and Only" comes pretty damn close, but as far as contemporary stuff goes, some of my favorites include Jenny Lewis's "Trying My Best To Love You," Robert Plant and Alison Krauss' "Stick With Me Baby," Devendra Banhart's "Baby," Yeah Yeah Yeahs' "Porcelain," and many more. But, I'm always up to more suggestions, so feel free to email or message some good ones if you read this.
After finally watching Blue Valentine, which was great, I was definitely taken aback by the sincerity and feel-good quality of this little gem, though it's probably old to most people. Like I said, I'm always behind and always ready to play catch-up. You can listen below. Peace.
Well, lately, I have been sort of monopolizing Grooveshark to the extent that I am constantly digging within their scraps for something that is going to move me, shake me, or just create some semblance of a stir. What I've gathered from their dismal landscape are two great artists. One, I've mentioned before. The other, not as yet (and shame me for it!)
I've been listening to the debut, self-titled album by Silver Apples, and it's great. I wouldn't put it on for a typical day of doing shit around the house, but it's good to listen to if you're in the mood for something different and a little unsettling. Yes, unsettling. There weren't many slow, feel-good jams, but there were interesting moments. I like "Oscillations" and "Dancing Gods," the best (at least so far).
The other album I've been listening to is Safe as Milk by Captain Beefheart. After hearing The Kills cover their song "Dropout Boogie," on the extended edition of Keep On Your Mean Side, I thought I should seek out the original version and see what the Kills saw in it. And, while the original version is good, the entire album is fantastic. It has my favorites: blues, psychedelic, spontaneity, etc. Let's just boil it down to the fact that it was a good find.
Also, I'm in search of good love songs. I'm not talking about the classics like The Everly Brothers or The Temptations. I'm talking about contemporary love songs. I feel as though people nowadays can't really write a good love song, or at least a song that hits and cuts deep. Adele's "One and Only" comes pretty damn close, but as far as contemporary stuff goes, some of my favorites include Jenny Lewis's "Trying My Best To Love You," Robert Plant and Alison Krauss' "Stick With Me Baby," Devendra Banhart's "Baby," Yeah Yeah Yeahs' "Porcelain," and many more. But, I'm always up to more suggestions, so feel free to email or message some good ones if you read this.
After finally watching Blue Valentine, which was great, I was definitely taken aback by the sincerity and feel-good quality of this little gem, though it's probably old to most people. Like I said, I'm always behind and always ready to play catch-up. You can listen below. Peace.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
A Cowboy with the Cramps...
An Interesting Take on the DIY of Instrumentals and a Re-Invention of An Old Classic
As I said in a post before, I have been kind of dipping into The Cramps album Bad Music for Bad People, and I have to say that one of my favorite songs on the album is "Uranium Rock," which is the last track. I've always been a sucker for last songs on albums because I always feel as if musicians try to go out with a bang, or at least try to leave you with something memorable. For this song, it's not necessarily memorable, but I like the approach of jingling coins in the beat of the song. I love it when bands put random sounds and noises in songs. Give me a good beat on a bucket, and I'm sold! Maybe that's why I like Cocorosie...either way. This is a good album to start off with if you've never really listened to The Cramps.
On another note, I recently heard a track of Karen O singing Willie Nelson's country hit "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys." It's an interesting cover, and the video poignantly portrays the plight of the American farmer. The song portrays a more solemn, sad tone than the original (of course), but it's still a listenable version, and Karen O is one of the most versatile and interesting front-women in music today. You can view the video below:
OH, and due to my Kills pandora station, I had the non-pleasure of hearing Charlotte Gainsbourg's song "Trick Pony," and I think it's safe to say that she should stick to acting. I loved her in Melancholia though.
That's all I got for tonight. Peace.
As I said in a post before, I have been kind of dipping into The Cramps album Bad Music for Bad People, and I have to say that one of my favorite songs on the album is "Uranium Rock," which is the last track. I've always been a sucker for last songs on albums because I always feel as if musicians try to go out with a bang, or at least try to leave you with something memorable. For this song, it's not necessarily memorable, but I like the approach of jingling coins in the beat of the song. I love it when bands put random sounds and noises in songs. Give me a good beat on a bucket, and I'm sold! Maybe that's why I like Cocorosie...either way. This is a good album to start off with if you've never really listened to The Cramps.
On another note, I recently heard a track of Karen O singing Willie Nelson's country hit "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys." It's an interesting cover, and the video poignantly portrays the plight of the American farmer. The song portrays a more solemn, sad tone than the original (of course), but it's still a listenable version, and Karen O is one of the most versatile and interesting front-women in music today. You can view the video below:
OH, and due to my Kills pandora station, I had the non-pleasure of hearing Charlotte Gainsbourg's song "Trick Pony," and I think it's safe to say that she should stick to acting. I loved her in Melancholia though.
That's all I got for tonight. Peace.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Closing Doors...
The Age-old art of moving on, with a little help of some friends.
So, living in Corpus Christi is proving to be something more than I expected. Without sounding too trite that this is "just what I needed," or any crap like that, it is (in a sense) a blessing in disguise in terms of what it has brought me. It has brought me time to breathe, time to sit in the sun and get blacker, and time to listen to the music that has helped me move on for years and years. So, I've made a little YouTube playlist of some of my favorite stuff that has struck a chord within the past few years. Some of it old, some of it a little newer, but most of it is what I consider great. Cheers!
Buddy Holly - Everyday
Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal
Joanna Newsom - Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie
Norman Greenbaum - Spirit in the Sky
Devendra Banhart - This is the Way
So, living in Corpus Christi is proving to be something more than I expected. Without sounding too trite that this is "just what I needed," or any crap like that, it is (in a sense) a blessing in disguise in terms of what it has brought me. It has brought me time to breathe, time to sit in the sun and get blacker, and time to listen to the music that has helped me move on for years and years. So, I've made a little YouTube playlist of some of my favorite stuff that has struck a chord within the past few years. Some of it old, some of it a little newer, but most of it is what I consider great. Cheers!
Buddy Holly - Everyday
Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal
Joanna Newsom - Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie
Norman Greenbaum - Spirit in the Sky
Devendra Banhart - This is the Way
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