Davy Jones of The Monkees is gone...
Well, there hasn't been much in music news that has interested me lately. Not saying that music news isn't interesting...you know...if you're into that sort of thing, but most of the "indie blogs" are alive and kicking because kids love to be in on the shiz. But, disregarding my commentary about that stuff, there was only one thing that I felt was worthy of comment, and sorry for those of you who read this and could care less (SHAME ON YOU!).
BUT...Davy Jones has passed away today due to a heart attach. He was 66 years old. This is a big deal to me because my parents pretty much raised me on The Monkees. I can just remember a bunch of random drives I'd take with my mom and dad in his 90's era Pontiac Grandam, my little 6-7 year old legs not able to touch the floor, sitting in the middle so I could see out of the windshield, and "Last Train to Clarksville" blaring on the radio. "I'm A Believer," though it's more akin to the their mainstream persona, was one of my all-time favorite songs growing up because it spoke about revival of love, and whatnot. It was just damn good. Oh, and "Stepping Stone," is pretty spectacular as well, and who can forget the whimsical majesty of "Daydream Believer"? With that, I still have that "greatest hits" CD that I was blessed with listening to while growing up. It's strange to me that a lot of people don't like The Monkees because they represent a side of rock n' roll that was carefree, poppy, feel-good, and non-judgmental. Also, one of my favorite things Davy Jones ever did was his cameo/performance in The Brady Bunch Movie, which you can see below... We will miss you Davy. Travel well.
LISTENING: Hmm...this one has been a little weird for me. Now that I've a full-time job, this has kind of been put on the backburner. Not saying I don't listen to music anymore...I'm not a sadist. But, it's mostly been whittled down to snippets of bands I like, which have lately included recycled stuff that I've blogged about (IE: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Modest Mouse, St. Vincent, etc.) to stuff I hear on the radio. A couple of radio highlights, you can listen to below...oh, and don't judge me for ABBA, it's actually a great song. And lately, I can't get "Surrender" by Cheap Trick out of my skull.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Turn of the BLUE
Good-bye Billy Strange...Beirut shares new music video...Islands video for the track "Hallways"...
Well, I'd like to start this one off with a moment of silence...for Billy Strange. Though, I didn't know him on a personal level, he did share some innovative guitar playing and songwriting to some of the artists we know and revere today...among them: Elvis Presley, Wanda Jackson, Nancy Sinatra, The Beach Boys, and more. Strange died yesterday in Nashville, and though the cause of death is unknown, it still sucks just the same. Known for his guitar work, he also wrote the famous Elvis Presley track, "A Little Less Conversation," which you can listen to below:
In other news, Beirut came out with a video for their song, "Vagabond," which is taken off of their latest release, The Rip Tide. The track, and album, are both representations of singer/songwriter Zachary Condon's wayward mind in the sense that though he says he didn't travel much, he likes the idea of different settings and stories to play major roles within the songwriting. If you haven't listened to The Rip Tide yet, do so. You'll be glad you did. In the meantime, here's their new video:
Also, I recently posted Island's latest album, A Sleep and A Forgetting. But Nick Thorburn, singer/songwriter/mastermind, has come out with a video for the track, "Hallways." In a recent, or not so recent trend, this album tends to be Islands' break-up record, in that it was written in the aftermath of Thorburn's love woes. Now, while a break-up record may signify angst, resentment, sadness, and whatever other emotions one feels after such a tragedy, this album conveys those things in a very nuanced, yet personal way. "Hallways" is one of the key tracks of the album, in my opinion, and here's the video for your viewing displeasure...(anyone else think he was influenced by Tim Burton?)
LISTENING: I've spent the majority of today listening to Islands' aforementioned album. Other than that, I've been brushing up on 90's punk, namely that of Hot Water Music, in preparation for an interview with lead singer Chuck Ragan. Let's see how that goes...
That's all. PEACE.
Well, I'd like to start this one off with a moment of silence...for Billy Strange. Though, I didn't know him on a personal level, he did share some innovative guitar playing and songwriting to some of the artists we know and revere today...among them: Elvis Presley, Wanda Jackson, Nancy Sinatra, The Beach Boys, and more. Strange died yesterday in Nashville, and though the cause of death is unknown, it still sucks just the same. Known for his guitar work, he also wrote the famous Elvis Presley track, "A Little Less Conversation," which you can listen to below:
In other news, Beirut came out with a video for their song, "Vagabond," which is taken off of their latest release, The Rip Tide. The track, and album, are both representations of singer/songwriter Zachary Condon's wayward mind in the sense that though he says he didn't travel much, he likes the idea of different settings and stories to play major roles within the songwriting. If you haven't listened to The Rip Tide yet, do so. You'll be glad you did. In the meantime, here's their new video:
Also, I recently posted Island's latest album, A Sleep and A Forgetting. But Nick Thorburn, singer/songwriter/mastermind, has come out with a video for the track, "Hallways." In a recent, or not so recent trend, this album tends to be Islands' break-up record, in that it was written in the aftermath of Thorburn's love woes. Now, while a break-up record may signify angst, resentment, sadness, and whatever other emotions one feels after such a tragedy, this album conveys those things in a very nuanced, yet personal way. "Hallways" is one of the key tracks of the album, in my opinion, and here's the video for your viewing displeasure...(anyone else think he was influenced by Tim Burton?)
LISTENING: I've spent the majority of today listening to Islands' aforementioned album. Other than that, I've been brushing up on 90's punk, namely that of Hot Water Music, in preparation for an interview with lead singer Chuck Ragan. Let's see how that goes...
That's all. PEACE.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Gorillaz, Banharts, and Turners! OH MY!
Devendra Banhart performs a couple of new songs...Gorillaz/James Murphy/Andre 3000 collaborate...Ike and Tina invade again...
Well, I've been a HUGE fan of Devendra Banhart's for 7+ years now, and he hasn't let me down yet. His last record came out in 2009, and it further validated for me that his musicianship just matures and grows more complex and skilled with age. Sure, Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon is his best, in my opinion, but What Will We Be was great nonetheless. Either way, you can watch a performance he did in Chile recently, in which he plays two new tracks. Enjoy...
Moving right along, I'm sure those of you who had heard that Gorillaz was going to do a song with James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem and Andre 3000 were shitting your pants in anticipation, but you don't have to wait any longer. The track "DoYaThing," can be listened to online, and downloaded tomorrow via Converse, for their "Three Artists, One Song" campaign. The track didn't exactly blow me away. I was actually getting a little bored with it, until Andre 3000 came along and saved the day. He's the only redeemable quality I see thus far, but I'm sure if I listen to it a couple of more times, I'll become obsessed with it, and discard it, which seems to be the way things work nowadays. Either way, you can listen to the track here.
LISTENING: I decided to take a break from listening to The Heartless Bastards, and for some reason, I found myself craving a healthy dose of some Ike and Tina Turner. I know...I know...some immature people can't help but bring up their tumultuous relationship, but that's not what this blog is about. We will not bow down to the petty gossip and personal vendettas of musicians and their wives/lives. No, we will focus on the music. And speaking of that, take a listen to this little piece:
That's all. PEACE.
Well, I've been a HUGE fan of Devendra Banhart's for 7+ years now, and he hasn't let me down yet. His last record came out in 2009, and it further validated for me that his musicianship just matures and grows more complex and skilled with age. Sure, Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon is his best, in my opinion, but What Will We Be was great nonetheless. Either way, you can watch a performance he did in Chile recently, in which he plays two new tracks. Enjoy...
Moving right along, I'm sure those of you who had heard that Gorillaz was going to do a song with James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem and Andre 3000 were shitting your pants in anticipation, but you don't have to wait any longer. The track "DoYaThing," can be listened to online, and downloaded tomorrow via Converse, for their "Three Artists, One Song" campaign. The track didn't exactly blow me away. I was actually getting a little bored with it, until Andre 3000 came along and saved the day. He's the only redeemable quality I see thus far, but I'm sure if I listen to it a couple of more times, I'll become obsessed with it, and discard it, which seems to be the way things work nowadays. Either way, you can listen to the track here.
LISTENING: I decided to take a break from listening to The Heartless Bastards, and for some reason, I found myself craving a healthy dose of some Ike and Tina Turner. I know...I know...some immature people can't help but bring up their tumultuous relationship, but that's not what this blog is about. We will not bow down to the petty gossip and personal vendettas of musicians and their wives/lives. No, we will focus on the music. And speaking of that, take a listen to this little piece:
That's all. PEACE.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
El Retorno
Santigold shares new song...Fiona Apple lines up some tour dates...Jack White's solo album info...
Santigold slightly impressed me (only slightly) with her debut album, Santogold in 2008, because unlike M.I.A. (whom she is overly compared to), she played on a lot more musical influences, such as ska, reggae, punk, and in some cases, even grunge. But, with this new single, she seems to be following a more produced, electronic train of thought. I can't say that I like her new song ("Disparate Youth"), but it left me wanting more. I did enjoy the lyrical content, especially when she sings/raps "We know that we want more...a life worth fighting for." Can you smell the teen angst? You can hear the new single below:
In other news, it was announced a while ago that Fiona Apple is going to come out with some new material this year (fuck yeah!). But, in the meantime, we'll just have to settle for some of her old tunes, but if that's not enough for you, Apple is planning a small tour, that kicks off March 15th in Austin, Texas for a SXSW showcase. You can view the other dates here.
Lastly...Jack White has released some information about his new album, mainly the cover art, release date and tracklist. His first solo album is titled Blunderbuss, and it's due out on April 24th, via his own Third Man Records. You can view the tracklist and the cover art here, and also you can watch the video for his first single "Love Interruption" below:
LISTENING: Well, I don't want to bore you with my listening exploits, but basically, I'm still listening to The Heartless Bastards new record, Arrow. I'm a little obsessed, I'm not gonna lie. In between, I've managed to squeeze in some snippets of performances from The Voice, another obsession. But, that's neither here not there.
That's all. PEACE.
Santigold slightly impressed me (only slightly) with her debut album, Santogold in 2008, because unlike M.I.A. (whom she is overly compared to), she played on a lot more musical influences, such as ska, reggae, punk, and in some cases, even grunge. But, with this new single, she seems to be following a more produced, electronic train of thought. I can't say that I like her new song ("Disparate Youth"), but it left me wanting more. I did enjoy the lyrical content, especially when she sings/raps "We know that we want more...a life worth fighting for." Can you smell the teen angst? You can hear the new single below:
In other news, it was announced a while ago that Fiona Apple is going to come out with some new material this year (fuck yeah!). But, in the meantime, we'll just have to settle for some of her old tunes, but if that's not enough for you, Apple is planning a small tour, that kicks off March 15th in Austin, Texas for a SXSW showcase. You can view the other dates here.
Lastly...Jack White has released some information about his new album, mainly the cover art, release date and tracklist. His first solo album is titled Blunderbuss, and it's due out on April 24th, via his own Third Man Records. You can view the tracklist and the cover art here, and also you can watch the video for his first single "Love Interruption" below:
LISTENING: Well, I don't want to bore you with my listening exploits, but basically, I'm still listening to The Heartless Bastards new record, Arrow. I'm a little obsessed, I'm not gonna lie. In between, I've managed to squeeze in some snippets of performances from The Voice, another obsession. But, that's neither here not there.
That's all. PEACE.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Feeling Heartless?
One For The Bastards...
Well, I decided to do things a little differently today. Mainly because I found myself feeling a little stupid for forgetting that The Heartless Bastards album came out this past Tuesday. What's wrong with me? Usually, with bands that I admire and appreciate, I'm always in-the-know with releases, shows, etc. But, this one managed to slip past me. The Heartless Bastards is one of those bands that just hits so hard, and packs a punch that is unparalleled in music right now. In my opinion, they are one of those beacons that ignite the feeling that all is not lost in the world. I know I'm being a little dramatic, and a little fan-crazy, but who gives a shit?
Music as at such a weird flux of mass-produced, spoon-fed garbage, that when a band with originality, talent, and cojones to match comes along, it's hard not to want to share the news. You can view Exhibit A, in the song "Parted Ways" off their new LP, Arrow, below:
Erika Wennerstrom's voice is in top shape, and the song structures are just getting more and more layered and complex. After hearing their last album, The Mountain, I found myself wondering if their sound could get any bigger, epic, or diverse, and stupidly, I said "No, this album is their finest hour." Now, I'm kicking my own teeth in because Arrow proves to be a continuation in the lineage of musical experimentation. For instance, take a listen to the first track, "Marathon," and tell me that you're not immediately sucked in.
I've seen this band play live three times, and the last two times I saw them, they opened the show with the aforementioned track ("Marathon"), and speaking for myself, one is immediately filled with this sense of excitement because you really don't know what's going to come next. I've also met Wennerstrom twice, and both times, she was this sweet, humble creature, who appears not to understand why people enjoy her music, and that for me, makes it even more enjoyable based on the fact that she's not some arrogant rock star, but an old soul. Other key tracks from the new record that showcase their golden artistry include "Simple Feeling," "The Arrow Killed The Beast," and "Down in the Canyon." You can stream the entire album, via SoundCloud, below:
Also, they are playing on David Letterman this Wednesday, the 22nd. So, be on the lookout for that. My rant is over.
That's all. PEACE.
Well, I decided to do things a little differently today. Mainly because I found myself feeling a little stupid for forgetting that The Heartless Bastards album came out this past Tuesday. What's wrong with me? Usually, with bands that I admire and appreciate, I'm always in-the-know with releases, shows, etc. But, this one managed to slip past me. The Heartless Bastards is one of those bands that just hits so hard, and packs a punch that is unparalleled in music right now. In my opinion, they are one of those beacons that ignite the feeling that all is not lost in the world. I know I'm being a little dramatic, and a little fan-crazy, but who gives a shit?
Music as at such a weird flux of mass-produced, spoon-fed garbage, that when a band with originality, talent, and cojones to match comes along, it's hard not to want to share the news. You can view Exhibit A, in the song "Parted Ways" off their new LP, Arrow, below:
Erika Wennerstrom's voice is in top shape, and the song structures are just getting more and more layered and complex. After hearing their last album, The Mountain, I found myself wondering if their sound could get any bigger, epic, or diverse, and stupidly, I said "No, this album is their finest hour." Now, I'm kicking my own teeth in because Arrow proves to be a continuation in the lineage of musical experimentation. For instance, take a listen to the first track, "Marathon," and tell me that you're not immediately sucked in.
I've seen this band play live three times, and the last two times I saw them, they opened the show with the aforementioned track ("Marathon"), and speaking for myself, one is immediately filled with this sense of excitement because you really don't know what's going to come next. I've also met Wennerstrom twice, and both times, she was this sweet, humble creature, who appears not to understand why people enjoy her music, and that for me, makes it even more enjoyable based on the fact that she's not some arrogant rock star, but an old soul. Other key tracks from the new record that showcase their golden artistry include "Simple Feeling," "The Arrow Killed The Beast," and "Down in the Canyon." You can stream the entire album, via SoundCloud, below:
Also, they are playing on David Letterman this Wednesday, the 22nd. So, be on the lookout for that. My rant is over.
That's all. PEACE.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Dylan and Motels
Dave Grohl responds to criticism...Miley Cyrus covers Bob Dylan (WtF)...Modest Mouse and the Little Motel...
Well, I haven't been really reading any music news as of late, mainly because I've been working on some other shit. Having not watched The Grammys, I missed out on some supposedly key acceptance speeches, namely that of Dave Grohl, which has been receiving some backlash. Thought to be dismissing the importance of electronic music, in USA Today, Grohl clarifies by stating that the "human element" he was referring to in terms of making music was that which every human possesses, which is the gift to transfer feelings and emotions through the medium of music. Well, he didn't exactly word it that way, that was more my interpretation, but you an read about it here.
Also, Miley Cyrus recently performed her version of the track, "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go," by Bob Dylan. The track was recorded for a compilation album called Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International. The album is already available to the masses for your listening pleasure. Some cool people make appearances on the record, including Patti Smith, The Kronos Quartet, Joan Baez, My Morning Jacket, and more. Nevertheless, you can view Miley Cyrus' take on Bob Dylan below:
LISTENING: I've spent the past couple of days on a severe Modest Mouse kick. The first album I ever got into was of course, Good News for People Who Love Bad News. I know...I know...it was pretty late in their career. However, I'm always behind, remember? Either way, but I got into some of their earlier stuff a few years ago, including The Lonesome Crowded West and The Moon & Antarctica. But, I've spent the past couple of days listening to their last LP, We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank, and it's brilliant! I can't believe I waited so long to give this album a full listen. Some of my favorites include "Fire It Up," "Missed The Boat," and "Little Motel" (You can view the video below).
That's all. PEACE.
Well, I haven't been really reading any music news as of late, mainly because I've been working on some other shit. Having not watched The Grammys, I missed out on some supposedly key acceptance speeches, namely that of Dave Grohl, which has been receiving some backlash. Thought to be dismissing the importance of electronic music, in USA Today, Grohl clarifies by stating that the "human element" he was referring to in terms of making music was that which every human possesses, which is the gift to transfer feelings and emotions through the medium of music. Well, he didn't exactly word it that way, that was more my interpretation, but you an read about it here.
Also, Miley Cyrus recently performed her version of the track, "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go," by Bob Dylan. The track was recorded for a compilation album called Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International. The album is already available to the masses for your listening pleasure. Some cool people make appearances on the record, including Patti Smith, The Kronos Quartet, Joan Baez, My Morning Jacket, and more. Nevertheless, you can view Miley Cyrus' take on Bob Dylan below:
LISTENING: I've spent the past couple of days on a severe Modest Mouse kick. The first album I ever got into was of course, Good News for People Who Love Bad News. I know...I know...it was pretty late in their career. However, I'm always behind, remember? Either way, but I got into some of their earlier stuff a few years ago, including The Lonesome Crowded West and The Moon & Antarctica. But, I've spent the past couple of days listening to their last LP, We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank, and it's brilliant! I can't believe I waited so long to give this album a full listen. Some of my favorites include "Fire It Up," "Missed The Boat," and "Little Motel" (You can view the video below).
That's all. PEACE.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Post-Whitney and Post-Grammy RANT
The Grammys bring on a migraine (literally)...RIP Whitney Houston from me...Joanna Newsom makes appearance on Portlandia!...
I'd first like to pay homage and respects to Whitney Houston. At 48, she was just too young to go, and I thought that she was finally getting her shit together. I don't know the circumstances surrounding her death, only having just read online a few hours ago that they've ascertained it was an overdose from prescription meds. Either way, while I wasn't a HUGE fan of Houston's, I respected her, and always turned up her music when it came on the radio. So, Whitney...this one's for you.
If there's one good thing that came from getting a terrible migraine and throwing up about three times last night, it was that I got to miss the 2012 Grammy Awards. YAY! Now, I'm not pointing any fingers, but if that blond-haired, doe-eyed waiter at Fridays put something in my food, then she should step forward because she did me a huge favor...she taught me a valuable lesson in that one should never eat at Fridays. Now, moving on...
The Grammys were a whole other monster. I've spent the majority of today watching recaps, acceptance speeches, and performances, and having viewed everything from Adele's heartfelt acceptance speech to Nicki Minaj's performance, I've basically come to the conclusion that The Grammys (while considered music's most well-respected awards show) is ridonculous! Considering that Bon Iver won the Best New Artist Award, and that this is his SECOND critically-acclaimed album just proves how behind the times these people are. And everyone already knows my aversion to dubstep, and Skrillex took home at least two awards from my stunted recollection, and that's two-too-many. So, as much as I suffered throbbing headaches, nausea, and delirium, I'd gladly take that on again rather than watch next year. But, you can watch Justin Vernon's acceptance speech below. I like that he basically spoke for all of the talented artists who will never appear and never get the recognition they deserve.
Moving on...one of my FAVORITE singer/songwriters/lyricists, Joanna Newsom, makes an appearance on the new episode of Portlandia. In the episode, with Frad Armisen and Carrie Brownstein, they portray some hippie-dippie individuals frolicking in a field, while Newsom plays the harp, and the funnier moments come when she asks them for a ride and they have to try and fit her harp into their tiny car. You can watch a clip here.
Listening: I haven't been listening to much because I've been catching up on music news for yous guys, but I managed to squeeze a little bit of The Strokes, First Aid Kit, Kanye West and Patti Smith, via Spotify.
That's all. PEACE.
I'd first like to pay homage and respects to Whitney Houston. At 48, she was just too young to go, and I thought that she was finally getting her shit together. I don't know the circumstances surrounding her death, only having just read online a few hours ago that they've ascertained it was an overdose from prescription meds. Either way, while I wasn't a HUGE fan of Houston's, I respected her, and always turned up her music when it came on the radio. So, Whitney...this one's for you.
If there's one good thing that came from getting a terrible migraine and throwing up about three times last night, it was that I got to miss the 2012 Grammy Awards. YAY! Now, I'm not pointing any fingers, but if that blond-haired, doe-eyed waiter at Fridays put something in my food, then she should step forward because she did me a huge favor...she taught me a valuable lesson in that one should never eat at Fridays. Now, moving on...
The Grammys were a whole other monster. I've spent the majority of today watching recaps, acceptance speeches, and performances, and having viewed everything from Adele's heartfelt acceptance speech to Nicki Minaj's performance, I've basically come to the conclusion that The Grammys (while considered music's most well-respected awards show) is ridonculous! Considering that Bon Iver won the Best New Artist Award, and that this is his SECOND critically-acclaimed album just proves how behind the times these people are. And everyone already knows my aversion to dubstep, and Skrillex took home at least two awards from my stunted recollection, and that's two-too-many. So, as much as I suffered throbbing headaches, nausea, and delirium, I'd gladly take that on again rather than watch next year. But, you can watch Justin Vernon's acceptance speech below. I like that he basically spoke for all of the talented artists who will never appear and never get the recognition they deserve.
Moving on...one of my FAVORITE singer/songwriters/lyricists, Joanna Newsom, makes an appearance on the new episode of Portlandia. In the episode, with Frad Armisen and Carrie Brownstein, they portray some hippie-dippie individuals frolicking in a field, while Newsom plays the harp, and the funnier moments come when she asks them for a ride and they have to try and fit her harp into their tiny car. You can watch a clip here.
Listening: I haven't been listening to much because I've been catching up on music news for yous guys, but I managed to squeeze a little bit of The Strokes, First Aid Kit, Kanye West and Patti Smith, via Spotify.
That's all. PEACE.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Let Go Dat Monster
Lady Gaga launches social networking site...Ty Segall announces new albums...The Kills perform Letterman...
So, for those of you obsessed with Lady Gaga, have mercy on you. Enough said. Not only was I appalled when I heard a couple of years ago that she was going to be a new creative director for Polaroid (really?), but even now, she doesn't stop pursuing the notion that she's actually artistic. Granted, she's weird, but when did it become a staple for the gay community to hop on board with this club-diva who makes generic beats and dares to call it genius music? Now, at littlemonsters.com, Gaga fans will be able to convene and share their Gaga-obsessions, whoopee! I'd rather bury my head in the sand of pop-culture and let vicious crabs destroy my molars.
Moving on...Ty Segall has announced that he plans to release two albums within the next six months. One album is going to be released on In The Red, and the next album will be released via Drag City. I first encountered Ty Segall on a blog, and took a chance to listen to his Melted LP, and lord, was I surprised to find it was actually good. I think I've already blogged about him, so I'll save my breath. But, be on the lookout for those albums.
Lastly...keeping in line with my obsession with The Kills, I was pleasantly surprised to see that they performed David Letterman, and they picked a slightly more introspective tune, which I love. They performed the track, "The Last Good-bye," with Mosshart sporting a 70s punk look, with dyed hair to match the concept. Her vocals were in tip-top shape, and they played the heart-wrenching track nicely. You can view that below:
LISTENING: Since I've spent the majority of my day caring for my sick niece, I could only squeeze in a little listening time, which consisted mainly of CocoRosie's first LP, La maison de mon reve. I really dig this record, even though I haven't really listened to much of their other albums. I gave Noah's Ark a try, but I found myself growing bored. I don't know... But, my favorite song right now is "Jesus Loves Me," which you can listen to below:
That's all. PEACE.
So, for those of you obsessed with Lady Gaga, have mercy on you. Enough said. Not only was I appalled when I heard a couple of years ago that she was going to be a new creative director for Polaroid (really?), but even now, she doesn't stop pursuing the notion that she's actually artistic. Granted, she's weird, but when did it become a staple for the gay community to hop on board with this club-diva who makes generic beats and dares to call it genius music? Now, at littlemonsters.com, Gaga fans will be able to convene and share their Gaga-obsessions, whoopee! I'd rather bury my head in the sand of pop-culture and let vicious crabs destroy my molars.
Moving on...Ty Segall has announced that he plans to release two albums within the next six months. One album is going to be released on In The Red, and the next album will be released via Drag City. I first encountered Ty Segall on a blog, and took a chance to listen to his Melted LP, and lord, was I surprised to find it was actually good. I think I've already blogged about him, so I'll save my breath. But, be on the lookout for those albums.
Lastly...keeping in line with my obsession with The Kills, I was pleasantly surprised to see that they performed David Letterman, and they picked a slightly more introspective tune, which I love. They performed the track, "The Last Good-bye," with Mosshart sporting a 70s punk look, with dyed hair to match the concept. Her vocals were in tip-top shape, and they played the heart-wrenching track nicely. You can view that below:
LISTENING: Since I've spent the majority of my day caring for my sick niece, I could only squeeze in a little listening time, which consisted mainly of CocoRosie's first LP, La maison de mon reve. I really dig this record, even though I haven't really listened to much of their other albums. I gave Noah's Ark a try, but I found myself growing bored. I don't know... But, my favorite song right now is "Jesus Loves Me," which you can listen to below:
That's all. PEACE.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Is Paris Long Distance?
Kanye and Jay-Z share new video...Gorillaz announce new track for later this month...I'm a little late with First Aid Kit...Josh Ritter makes a nice comeback to my stereo...
Let's start this off with a couple of legendary...well...legends. So, Kanye and Jay-Z basically wowed a shitload of people when they came out with a collaborative album, titled Watch The Throne, and they've been releasing several songs from it for the past few months, giving people a taste of why these two dudes are seemingly high on everyone's radar. Now, they've released a new music video for their track, "Niggas in Paris." The video is basically concert footage of them shot in LA, but given some crazy lights and kaleidoscopic effects. Basically, if you are a little skittish, it might make you a little uncomfortable, but maybe a good uncomfortable? You can watch the video below:
In other news, Gorillaz have announced a new track, which is also going to feature Andre 3000 and James Murphy of the late LCD Soundsystem. The track is going to be done for Converse, in collaboration with their "Three Artists, One Song" campaign, and the song will be available for listening and downloading purposes on February 23rd on the Converse website, so be on the lookout for that little gem.
Also, a few months ago, I shared my new-found appreciation for Swedish folk duo First Aid Kit. Now, the sisters have released their newest LP, The Lion's Roar in January. But, I found this video to their song, "Emmylou," in which they hark toward the old country stylings of Emmylou Harris, Johnny Cash and June Carter. It's a nice little track, and of course, their vocal harmonies always shine. You can view that one below:
LISTENING: I've spent the majority of my morning diving back into The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter by...well...Josh Ritter. And it's a fantastic album. This was an album I bought years ago on a hunch, just because of the simplicity of the album cover, and who'd have thought that it would be an amazing record? There are some brilliant key tracks which include "Right Moves," "The Temptation of Adam," and "The Next To The Last Romantic." I had the pleasure of interviewing Josh Ritter about a year and a half ago for my college newspaper. He was playing a show at Antone's, and while I didn't get to see him play, the interview was great. You can read the article here. You can also view an impromptu video for the track "Real Long Distance," shot by Josh Ritter and his crew during a tour they did a couple of years back.
That's all. PEACE.
Let's start this off with a couple of legendary...well...legends. So, Kanye and Jay-Z basically wowed a shitload of people when they came out with a collaborative album, titled Watch The Throne, and they've been releasing several songs from it for the past few months, giving people a taste of why these two dudes are seemingly high on everyone's radar. Now, they've released a new music video for their track, "Niggas in Paris." The video is basically concert footage of them shot in LA, but given some crazy lights and kaleidoscopic effects. Basically, if you are a little skittish, it might make you a little uncomfortable, but maybe a good uncomfortable? You can watch the video below:
In other news, Gorillaz have announced a new track, which is also going to feature Andre 3000 and James Murphy of the late LCD Soundsystem. The track is going to be done for Converse, in collaboration with their "Three Artists, One Song" campaign, and the song will be available for listening and downloading purposes on February 23rd on the Converse website, so be on the lookout for that little gem.
Also, a few months ago, I shared my new-found appreciation for Swedish folk duo First Aid Kit. Now, the sisters have released their newest LP, The Lion's Roar in January. But, I found this video to their song, "Emmylou," in which they hark toward the old country stylings of Emmylou Harris, Johnny Cash and June Carter. It's a nice little track, and of course, their vocal harmonies always shine. You can view that one below:
LISTENING: I've spent the majority of my morning diving back into The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter by...well...Josh Ritter. And it's a fantastic album. This was an album I bought years ago on a hunch, just because of the simplicity of the album cover, and who'd have thought that it would be an amazing record? There are some brilliant key tracks which include "Right Moves," "The Temptation of Adam," and "The Next To The Last Romantic." I had the pleasure of interviewing Josh Ritter about a year and a half ago for my college newspaper. He was playing a show at Antone's, and while I didn't get to see him play, the interview was great. You can read the article here. You can also view an impromptu video for the track "Real Long Distance," shot by Josh Ritter and his crew during a tour they did a couple of years back.
That's all. PEACE.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Everybody wants a Grammy
Timbaland and Missy Elliott to release albums in June...The Jesus and Mary Chain reunite for some shows...Grammys have some odd pairings...Watch The Cranberries perform a classic...
Well, while I'm not especially fond of Timbaland, I get that he is a staple in mainstream pop and rap music for his collaborations and solo records. My only appreciation for him is his collaboration with the late, great Aahliyah for the track "Are You That Somebody?" But, Timbaland has announced that both he and Missy Elliott are releasing new albums in June as somewhat of a movement, and being a fan of Missy Elliott, this is pretty exciting since she hasn't released anything since The Cookbook, which has one of my favorite songs, "Lose Control." You can watch that below:
Also, one of the albums that was quintessential to my high school days (yes, I'm dramatic) was Psychocandy by The Jesus and Mary Chain. This album needs no explanation on my part. If you don't have it, buy it. That's all. But, The Jesus and Mary Chain are going to do a string of shows in the south, mostly in Texas and Louisiana, and they are also going to make an appearance at SXSW this year, so I might have to make a trip to Austin for that one.
Also, The Grammys this year is going to be stock-full of uber-famous people, so I'm sure most of you are ecstatic about the goings-on. Personally, I don't watch The Grammys anymore after acts like Lady Gaga and Katy Perry started taking over the airwaves, and the Grammys are pretty much for bands that get a lot of airplay, so I know it's not gonna be good, but to each their own. But, The Beach Boys are set to perform at the event, in what is their first show in years as a full-fledged band. However, they are getting paired with Maroon 5 and Foster The People, WTF! Seriously? Not only do they deserve their own stage time, but you're really going to pair them with Maroon 5? I'm not even going to get into my aversion to that terrible band...it's just, ugh...I have no words, I'm astonished. Also, Foo Fighters is going to perform with Deadmau5, which I find a little odd, but I mean, whatever works. I think I'll just watch the performances the next day and save my breath. Moving on...
I recently posted the new video by The Cranberries, and noted how they still sound like classic Cranberries, but what's better than a taste of a classic track? Watch below for their performance of "Dream" on Jimmy Fallon.
LISTENING: This morning, I kept with my Yeah Yeah Yeahs kick and listened to It's Blitz!. While it's their most mainstream/electronic output, it still has some key tracks, which include "Skeletons," "Runaway," and "Hysteric." Also, a friend came over last night and needed a Fiona Apple fix, so we practically listened to the entirety of When The Pawn..., which is her greatest effort in my opinion.
That's all. PEACE.
Well, while I'm not especially fond of Timbaland, I get that he is a staple in mainstream pop and rap music for his collaborations and solo records. My only appreciation for him is his collaboration with the late, great Aahliyah for the track "Are You That Somebody?" But, Timbaland has announced that both he and Missy Elliott are releasing new albums in June as somewhat of a movement, and being a fan of Missy Elliott, this is pretty exciting since she hasn't released anything since The Cookbook, which has one of my favorite songs, "Lose Control." You can watch that below:
Also, one of the albums that was quintessential to my high school days (yes, I'm dramatic) was Psychocandy by The Jesus and Mary Chain. This album needs no explanation on my part. If you don't have it, buy it. That's all. But, The Jesus and Mary Chain are going to do a string of shows in the south, mostly in Texas and Louisiana, and they are also going to make an appearance at SXSW this year, so I might have to make a trip to Austin for that one.
Also, The Grammys this year is going to be stock-full of uber-famous people, so I'm sure most of you are ecstatic about the goings-on. Personally, I don't watch The Grammys anymore after acts like Lady Gaga and Katy Perry started taking over the airwaves, and the Grammys are pretty much for bands that get a lot of airplay, so I know it's not gonna be good, but to each their own. But, The Beach Boys are set to perform at the event, in what is their first show in years as a full-fledged band. However, they are getting paired with Maroon 5 and Foster The People, WTF! Seriously? Not only do they deserve their own stage time, but you're really going to pair them with Maroon 5? I'm not even going to get into my aversion to that terrible band...it's just, ugh...I have no words, I'm astonished. Also, Foo Fighters is going to perform with Deadmau5, which I find a little odd, but I mean, whatever works. I think I'll just watch the performances the next day and save my breath. Moving on...
I recently posted the new video by The Cranberries, and noted how they still sound like classic Cranberries, but what's better than a taste of a classic track? Watch below for their performance of "Dream" on Jimmy Fallon.
LISTENING: This morning, I kept with my Yeah Yeah Yeahs kick and listened to It's Blitz!. While it's their most mainstream/electronic output, it still has some key tracks, which include "Skeletons," "Runaway," and "Hysteric." Also, a friend came over last night and needed a Fiona Apple fix, so we practically listened to the entirety of When The Pawn..., which is her greatest effort in my opinion.
That's all. PEACE.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Cheer for the A-Team
The Black Keys new video...Stream the new Tennis record...St. Vincent doesn't want to be a Cheerleader...Stream the new Islands LP...
Let's start this off with The Black Keys. Their latest LP, El Camino, came out in December, and the band is currently on tour in support of the record, but they've given this next little nugget for their adoring fans. My first introduction to the Black Keys was crashing on a friend's couch in Austin during SXSW and secretly listening to his records, while he was drunkenly passed out in a little nook above the living room. Yeah...the place was weird. But, I found Rubber Factory to be a great album. And, they haven't stopped getting bigger, both in fame and in sound. If you want to compare, which I wouldn't necessarily do, you can listen to something from Thickfreakness and then watch the new video here, and see what you think.
In other news, Tennis has released their new album online. The album is called Young & Old. I posted a track from the album a couple of weeks back, but now you can listen to it in its entirety. They definitely play on a more ethereal, translucent vibe that has definitely won me over. I wouldn't recommend playing it for Pantera fans, but they've got a nice vibe about them. You can listen to the album here.
Now, St. Vincent is one of those artists who just has something about her. Maybe it's her natural beauty, or the way she shreds on her guitar, of the fact that she composes her music to movies she likes, making them more theatrical and thematically relevant. Either way, she won me over after her last record, and while I haven't dived into her newest release, Strange Mercy, this video definitely makes me want to. You can view the video for the track, "Cheerleader," below:
Lastly, Islands has released their new album online as well. The album is titled A Sleep and A Forgetting. I first heard of Islands from a friend, who would play them every time we got stoned for a good two months, and naturally, I wasn't into it. But, as time went on, I came to know and appreciate their sound, and when I found out that they were an offshoot from The Unicorns, let's just say that my doubts were put on hold. But, you can hear their new album below:
LISTENING: It's been a slow morning, but harking back to my metal-head, goth days, I listened to Mechanical Animals by Marilyn Manson this morning. I know...that's a weird choice to start your day off, but it's been kind of dismal here lately, and the only way you can beat the constant greys is to drown them out with some depressing, genius music. Now, I'm in a more peppy mood, so I'll probably put on The Ramones.
That's all. PEACE.
Let's start this off with The Black Keys. Their latest LP, El Camino, came out in December, and the band is currently on tour in support of the record, but they've given this next little nugget for their adoring fans. My first introduction to the Black Keys was crashing on a friend's couch in Austin during SXSW and secretly listening to his records, while he was drunkenly passed out in a little nook above the living room. Yeah...the place was weird. But, I found Rubber Factory to be a great album. And, they haven't stopped getting bigger, both in fame and in sound. If you want to compare, which I wouldn't necessarily do, you can listen to something from Thickfreakness and then watch the new video here, and see what you think.
In other news, Tennis has released their new album online. The album is called Young & Old. I posted a track from the album a couple of weeks back, but now you can listen to it in its entirety. They definitely play on a more ethereal, translucent vibe that has definitely won me over. I wouldn't recommend playing it for Pantera fans, but they've got a nice vibe about them. You can listen to the album here.
Now, St. Vincent is one of those artists who just has something about her. Maybe it's her natural beauty, or the way she shreds on her guitar, of the fact that she composes her music to movies she likes, making them more theatrical and thematically relevant. Either way, she won me over after her last record, and while I haven't dived into her newest release, Strange Mercy, this video definitely makes me want to. You can view the video for the track, "Cheerleader," below:
Lastly, Islands has released their new album online as well. The album is titled A Sleep and A Forgetting. I first heard of Islands from a friend, who would play them every time we got stoned for a good two months, and naturally, I wasn't into it. But, as time went on, I came to know and appreciate their sound, and when I found out that they were an offshoot from The Unicorns, let's just say that my doubts were put on hold. But, you can hear their new album below:
LISTENING: It's been a slow morning, but harking back to my metal-head, goth days, I listened to Mechanical Animals by Marilyn Manson this morning. I know...that's a weird choice to start your day off, but it's been kind of dismal here lately, and the only way you can beat the constant greys is to drown them out with some depressing, genius music. Now, I'm in a more peppy mood, so I'll probably put on The Ramones.
That's all. PEACE.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Say Whatever.
The Shins new b-side track...Die Antwoord's album drops tomorrow...Liz Phair shares thoughts on Lana Del Rey "phenomenon"...M.I.A. Today...
Firstly, let me apologize for my absence. I've been braving the world of commerce and job-hunting, but my stress has been somewhat alleviated in that I've finally found a nice little temp job, making phone calls for the IRS. YES! But, aside from that, I've been a little out of the look in terms of listening in for music news. You should see my Google Reader, which contains 1000+ unread articles. Yeah...that's not good. But, I'm here and I'm ready to dig into some shit.
Firstly, The Shins have shared a new track, which is a b-side from their track, "Simple Song," which I posted some time ago, which is coming off of their new album, Port of Morrow. The album will come out on March 20th, but until then, you can feast your ears on the "Simple Song" single, which comes out on Valentine's day. You can listen to the new track, "September" below:
In other news, Die Antwoord's new album, Ten$ion, comes out tomorrow. I've already shared my thoughts about my inability to fully jump on board with their entire vibe, and their representation of "zef," which you should look into if you really want to pick up what they put down. But, they've also shared another song/video off of the album, titled "I Fink U Freeky," which you can listen to below, and you can listen to their album in its entirety here.
Also, feminist singer Liz Phair has shared some thoughts about Lana Del Rey and her entire persona. The battle with Del Rey seems to be her authenticity, and while I don't argue for or against, I just don't care. When it comes to Del Rey, I just like "Born to Die" and "Video Games." I've never cared enough about her to delve into her personality, but a lot of people seem to be extremely pleased or extremely bothered. Phair seems to mainly appreciate the fact that she is another "female" singer doing her thing, and goes on to talk about the importance of women sharing their voices. You can read her thoughts here. I think that Phair goes a little too far into her own head with women being presidents and shit. I may have a lot of females hate on me, but all I'm saying is that if you want to piss and moan about the difficulty of being the "minority," welcome to the fucking club. I'm a gay, overweight Mexican man living in America. Don't whine to me. Life's too damn short.
Lastly, M.I.A. is currently under fire for flipping the bird at the Super Bowl. I could care less, and if people are seriously that offended by it, you should have somewhat expected something like this to happen after Janet Jackson's nipple saying hello in 2004. But besides that, a friend recently urged me to watch her new video for the track, "Bad Girls," which I first heard on her VickiLeeks mixtape. The track is so-so, but the video is what struck me. I've watched it about seven times, and each time, I'm finding something new to appreciate in it. You can view it below. I mean, visually it's got Romain Gavras' touches, which for reference purposes, you should watch "Born Free." But, I love the M.I.A. delves into sensitive territory, but gives a ballsey approach, showing Arab women holding guns, and getting down in the desert. While some think it may be taboo, I love that she's showing the humanity of Arab women, when people seem to think they are these complacent, silent beings that have no voice. Good job, M.I.A. And for those who wish to educate themselves, you can read about women in the Middle East here. You might learn a thing or two.
LISTENING: I don't really have anything to report in this area. I've been sort of recycling old stuff, but I did buy Joan Baez In Concert on vinyl, and I'm really excited to get into that. I also discovered another Kills b-side, which I'd never heard, so I was especially elated to discover that. You can watch that below:
That's all. PEACE.
Firstly, let me apologize for my absence. I've been braving the world of commerce and job-hunting, but my stress has been somewhat alleviated in that I've finally found a nice little temp job, making phone calls for the IRS. YES! But, aside from that, I've been a little out of the look in terms of listening in for music news. You should see my Google Reader, which contains 1000+ unread articles. Yeah...that's not good. But, I'm here and I'm ready to dig into some shit.
Firstly, The Shins have shared a new track, which is a b-side from their track, "Simple Song," which I posted some time ago, which is coming off of their new album, Port of Morrow. The album will come out on March 20th, but until then, you can feast your ears on the "Simple Song" single, which comes out on Valentine's day. You can listen to the new track, "September" below:
The Shins: “September” (b-side of “Simple Song” 7”) from Record Store Day on Vimeo.
In other news, Die Antwoord's new album, Ten$ion, comes out tomorrow. I've already shared my thoughts about my inability to fully jump on board with their entire vibe, and their representation of "zef," which you should look into if you really want to pick up what they put down. But, they've also shared another song/video off of the album, titled "I Fink U Freeky," which you can listen to below, and you can listen to their album in its entirety here.
Also, feminist singer Liz Phair has shared some thoughts about Lana Del Rey and her entire persona. The battle with Del Rey seems to be her authenticity, and while I don't argue for or against, I just don't care. When it comes to Del Rey, I just like "Born to Die" and "Video Games." I've never cared enough about her to delve into her personality, but a lot of people seem to be extremely pleased or extremely bothered. Phair seems to mainly appreciate the fact that she is another "female" singer doing her thing, and goes on to talk about the importance of women sharing their voices. You can read her thoughts here. I think that Phair goes a little too far into her own head with women being presidents and shit. I may have a lot of females hate on me, but all I'm saying is that if you want to piss and moan about the difficulty of being the "minority," welcome to the fucking club. I'm a gay, overweight Mexican man living in America. Don't whine to me. Life's too damn short.
Lastly, M.I.A. is currently under fire for flipping the bird at the Super Bowl. I could care less, and if people are seriously that offended by it, you should have somewhat expected something like this to happen after Janet Jackson's nipple saying hello in 2004. But besides that, a friend recently urged me to watch her new video for the track, "Bad Girls," which I first heard on her VickiLeeks mixtape. The track is so-so, but the video is what struck me. I've watched it about seven times, and each time, I'm finding something new to appreciate in it. You can view it below. I mean, visually it's got Romain Gavras' touches, which for reference purposes, you should watch "Born Free." But, I love the M.I.A. delves into sensitive territory, but gives a ballsey approach, showing Arab women holding guns, and getting down in the desert. While some think it may be taboo, I love that she's showing the humanity of Arab women, when people seem to think they are these complacent, silent beings that have no voice. Good job, M.I.A. And for those who wish to educate themselves, you can read about women in the Middle East here. You might learn a thing or two.
LISTENING: I don't really have anything to report in this area. I've been sort of recycling old stuff, but I did buy Joan Baez In Concert on vinyl, and I'm really excited to get into that. I also discovered another Kills b-side, which I'd never heard, so I was especially elated to discover that. You can watch that below:
That's all. PEACE.
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