Pitchfork Interviews Fiona Apple...Calexico return...Devendra Banhart and Wanda Jackson...
So, today, I kind of don't give a shit about reporting too much, and since I've spent the better part of my weekend sheltered in work, weed, and writing, let's just say that I'm excited to be out in the world again, and what greets me??? An interview with Fiona Apple. Yes, I know I've written about her a ton these past few months, but hey, it's only natural that I'm as excited as a fat kid on Thanksgiving. Not only is it just the mysticism surrounding her and the fact that she's such a weird recluse when she isn't writing/recording, but one only has to take a good, long look at her lyrics to understand her ease with words and her quotable phrases. Take for instance on her newest snippet from the new album, The Idler Wheel..., titled "Werewolf." Within the first few seconds, she states, "I can liken you to a werewolf, the way you left me for dead. But I admit that I provided a full moon. And I can liken you to a shark, the way you bit off my head. But then again, I was waving around a bleeding open wound." Enough said. Either way, Pitchfork recently interviewed Apple, and in the interview, she tackles the subject of children, her reclusive tendencies, TV and the internet, and Indie vs. Mainstream. You can read the interview here. You can also hear her cover of "Across the Universe" below:
The only other thing I found interesting was that Calexico is going to come up with a new album, titled Algiers, which comes out on September 11. I wrote about this band a few days ago, so fate must be in the air in bringing me back to them just before they come out with news of their new album. Shit gets weird in the summer. Either way, they've also shared a video for their first single, "Para," which you can view below:
LISTENING: Since I've been holed up in a writing shell, I didn't really listen to anything this weekend. So, this morning I thought I'd ease myself back into the listening world with some Devendra Banhart, mainly Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon. I'm probably repeating myself here, but I think this is his best album. I feel that he took all of his best components, his typical quirky and weird vibe, and some very honest and heart-breaking moments, which can be highlighted on one of my favorite tracks, "I Remember," which you can hear below. Don't fucking read this, just listen to the album.
I've also been listening to Wanda Jackson in anticipation for her show on June 22nd, which I bought my ticket for last week...very exciting. I've mostly been listening to her older stuff, not purposefully excluding her work with Jack White, but hey, they're always oldies, but goodies. You can hear her well-known track "Let's Have a Party" below:
That's all. PEACE.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Friday, June 1, 2012
Blue on the Floor...
The XX talk about new album...Flaming Lips and Erykah Badu share video...Black Keys also share new video...Eugene McGuinness covers Lana Del Rey...Buttsteak...
So...the XX hit it pretty big in '09 with their debut self-titled album, and while I've heard about half of it, and mostly in passing, I can understand why. Their take on dark, 80s-inspired, melancholic music was a breath of fresh air, or well, as fresh as that could be. At first, I was apprehensive about them, just because they were everywhere, and they still are everywhere. I mean, the fact that this is making news, and the fact that I'm writing about it just proves that they have a little staying power, considering they've only released the title and release date, not even a track-list, GAH! Either way, the album is going to be titled Coexist, and it's scheduled to come out on September 11, appropriate right? So, be on the look-out for that.
In other news, The Flaming Lips are gearing up to release their next work, The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends, on June 26, and they've released the video to their collaboration with Erykah Badu, on the track "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face." Now, if you are skittish about nudity, blood, or glitter, then you may want to turn away from your computer screen. Everyone else, you can watch it below:
Moving along...The Black Keys have shared another video for their track "Gold On The Ceiling." I don't understand why they saw the need to release another video, seeing as how the first one was just fine for a track that is listenable at best. Not dogging the Black Keys, but I do feel as if I can't get rid of them as of late. It's nice when a great band finds some recognition, but I think these guys seem to have found too much for too little. But, you can view the Harmony Korine-directed video below:
Lastly, Eugene McGuinness, who I just heard of last week (sad, but true), has covered Lana Del Rey's "Blue Jeans." Now, I wasn't really a fan of Del Rey's track in the first place...as her voice sounds something akin to a baby whale dying on a deserted beach, but that's neither here nor there. I actually like McGuinness's version. I think it's a fresh take, and his voice is actually tolerable. Some may argue the original version is better, but when you're comparing a dying mammal to a tolerable voice, I have to question your mode for comparison. You can view his video for the track below:
LISTENING: I've spent the majority of this morning listening to 90's alternative pop-punk outfit, Buttsteak. I was wondering through a thrift store in Williamsburg (wow, that sounded so hipster), and I came across two CD's. One was a Chinese-imported soundtrack for the movie How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days, which I gave to my sister as her souvenir from my trip, and the other was the album, Shit Cool...It's The Honeycomb Generation by Buttsteak. The album title and band name sold me, and I purchased it for $1.
The album is what you'd expect...it's a hilarious take on punk/pop and alternative, with some grunge moments thrown in there (which won me over). It's normally not my type of music, but when you listen to it, it just flows so well, musically, that you could care less what the lyrics say, but then you listen close, and they either make no sense, or they're just so ridiculous, you have to rewind and listen again. Tracks that I like are "Mant," "All Fags Aboard," "Break My Heart," and their cover of Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots Are Made For Walking." I wish I could post some tracks, but alas, I couldn't find any online. So, look for that one in the sales bins at your local record store.
That's all I got. PEACE.
So...the XX hit it pretty big in '09 with their debut self-titled album, and while I've heard about half of it, and mostly in passing, I can understand why. Their take on dark, 80s-inspired, melancholic music was a breath of fresh air, or well, as fresh as that could be. At first, I was apprehensive about them, just because they were everywhere, and they still are everywhere. I mean, the fact that this is making news, and the fact that I'm writing about it just proves that they have a little staying power, considering they've only released the title and release date, not even a track-list, GAH! Either way, the album is going to be titled Coexist, and it's scheduled to come out on September 11, appropriate right? So, be on the look-out for that.
In other news, The Flaming Lips are gearing up to release their next work, The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends, on June 26, and they've released the video to their collaboration with Erykah Badu, on the track "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face." Now, if you are skittish about nudity, blood, or glitter, then you may want to turn away from your computer screen. Everyone else, you can watch it below:
Moving along...The Black Keys have shared another video for their track "Gold On The Ceiling." I don't understand why they saw the need to release another video, seeing as how the first one was just fine for a track that is listenable at best. Not dogging the Black Keys, but I do feel as if I can't get rid of them as of late. It's nice when a great band finds some recognition, but I think these guys seem to have found too much for too little. But, you can view the Harmony Korine-directed video below:
Lastly, Eugene McGuinness, who I just heard of last week (sad, but true), has covered Lana Del Rey's "Blue Jeans." Now, I wasn't really a fan of Del Rey's track in the first place...as her voice sounds something akin to a baby whale dying on a deserted beach, but that's neither here nor there. I actually like McGuinness's version. I think it's a fresh take, and his voice is actually tolerable. Some may argue the original version is better, but when you're comparing a dying mammal to a tolerable voice, I have to question your mode for comparison. You can view his video for the track below:
LISTENING: I've spent the majority of this morning listening to 90's alternative pop-punk outfit, Buttsteak. I was wondering through a thrift store in Williamsburg (wow, that sounded so hipster), and I came across two CD's. One was a Chinese-imported soundtrack for the movie How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days, which I gave to my sister as her souvenir from my trip, and the other was the album, Shit Cool...It's The Honeycomb Generation by Buttsteak. The album title and band name sold me, and I purchased it for $1.
The album is what you'd expect...it's a hilarious take on punk/pop and alternative, with some grunge moments thrown in there (which won me over). It's normally not my type of music, but when you listen to it, it just flows so well, musically, that you could care less what the lyrics say, but then you listen close, and they either make no sense, or they're just so ridiculous, you have to rewind and listen again. Tracks that I like are "Mant," "All Fags Aboard," "Break My Heart," and their cover of Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots Are Made For Walking." I wish I could post some tracks, but alas, I couldn't find any online. So, look for that one in the sales bins at your local record store.
That's all I got. PEACE.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Links Links Links
Dan Deacon shares new album info...Neil Young streams new album online...The Beach Boys share new track...Digital music is winning...Beck collaborates with Childish Gambino...What We Saw From The Cheap Seats...
Well, let's start with Dan Deacon. Now, I've never been a huge fan, but I have had this curiosity about Deacon's work that has spanned the last few years, and a friend once burned me a copy of Deacon's album A Spiderman in the Rings, but I lost it and never looked back, but I threw it out as another boring electronic musician that I could do without...until I heard the song "Big Milk" from the aforementioned album playing in the car while driving down a heavy-Christmas-lighted street, and let's just say that in the moment, it was magic. Anyhow, Deacon has announced that he's coming out with a new album, titled America, which is scheduled to be released on August 28, and he's released one track, titled "Lots" to tide fans over. You can listen to that below:
I won't spend too much space on this because I've already talked about it, but Neil Young and Crazy Horse are streaming their album of folk covers, titled Americana online, and you can listen to it on SoundCloud.
Moving along, the Beach Boys have shared another track from their upcoming LP, That's Why God Made the Radio, which is scheduled to come out on June 5th. The song is titled "From There to Back Again," and it's a signature Beach Boys track, which means the production is excellent, the harmonies are wonderful, and it's just an easy-listening song that can serve any particular moment. You can hear that here.
Also, NME has recently reported that in the UK, digital music sales have surpassed physical music sales, IE: vinyl and cd. It also reports that this is the first time this has happened, noting that digital music sales have accounted for 55.5 percent of total music sales. I can't say that I'm surprised as hardly anyone I know still buys CD's or vinyl. It's pretty sad for local record stores, but NME points out that this is good for record companies in that they've seen an increase in sales because of people buying digital music, so I guess there's an upside to everything, depending on how you look at it. You can read more about this here.
Lastly, Beck has collaborated with Childish Gambino AKA Donald Glover of the show Community. Beck also co-produced the track with Glover, and from first listen, it's excellent. Being a huge fan of Beck means also being a huge fan of Beck "the rapper," and on this song, he doesn't disappoint. You can hear the track at Stereogum.
LISTENING: I've spent this entire morning listening to Regina Spektor's latest endeavor, What We Saw From The Cheap Seats, and having listened to the entire album twice, my thoughts are a little mixed. There are a few great tracks on here that makes me think "she's still got it!" and then there are a few tracks I can do without. I guess this goes in line with how I measure great albums, which is when you can play the whole thing through and love every track. This isn't great, but that doesn't mean it's not good. Tracks like "Firewood," "How" and "Jessica" are some of Spektor's finest moments, in my opinion. Though Spektor has noted that a lot of the songs were written pre-Soviet Kitsch and pre-Begin To Hope, the production of the album is what often skews my perception of what could be a great album. I'm not exactly blaming the production as it is, but I feel that Spektor's focus on it has definitely rid the songs of some of their integrity, like on "All The Rowboats." Aside from that, and the fact that it could have done without "Oh Marcello," the album is a solid effort. You can hear one of the album highlights, "How," below:
That's all. PEACE.
Well, let's start with Dan Deacon. Now, I've never been a huge fan, but I have had this curiosity about Deacon's work that has spanned the last few years, and a friend once burned me a copy of Deacon's album A Spiderman in the Rings, but I lost it and never looked back, but I threw it out as another boring electronic musician that I could do without...until I heard the song "Big Milk" from the aforementioned album playing in the car while driving down a heavy-Christmas-lighted street, and let's just say that in the moment, it was magic. Anyhow, Deacon has announced that he's coming out with a new album, titled America, which is scheduled to be released on August 28, and he's released one track, titled "Lots" to tide fans over. You can listen to that below:
I won't spend too much space on this because I've already talked about it, but Neil Young and Crazy Horse are streaming their album of folk covers, titled Americana online, and you can listen to it on SoundCloud.
Moving along, the Beach Boys have shared another track from their upcoming LP, That's Why God Made the Radio, which is scheduled to come out on June 5th. The song is titled "From There to Back Again," and it's a signature Beach Boys track, which means the production is excellent, the harmonies are wonderful, and it's just an easy-listening song that can serve any particular moment. You can hear that here.
Also, NME has recently reported that in the UK, digital music sales have surpassed physical music sales, IE: vinyl and cd. It also reports that this is the first time this has happened, noting that digital music sales have accounted for 55.5 percent of total music sales. I can't say that I'm surprised as hardly anyone I know still buys CD's or vinyl. It's pretty sad for local record stores, but NME points out that this is good for record companies in that they've seen an increase in sales because of people buying digital music, so I guess there's an upside to everything, depending on how you look at it. You can read more about this here.
Lastly, Beck has collaborated with Childish Gambino AKA Donald Glover of the show Community. Beck also co-produced the track with Glover, and from first listen, it's excellent. Being a huge fan of Beck means also being a huge fan of Beck "the rapper," and on this song, he doesn't disappoint. You can hear the track at Stereogum.
LISTENING: I've spent this entire morning listening to Regina Spektor's latest endeavor, What We Saw From The Cheap Seats, and having listened to the entire album twice, my thoughts are a little mixed. There are a few great tracks on here that makes me think "she's still got it!" and then there are a few tracks I can do without. I guess this goes in line with how I measure great albums, which is when you can play the whole thing through and love every track. This isn't great, but that doesn't mean it's not good. Tracks like "Firewood," "How" and "Jessica" are some of Spektor's finest moments, in my opinion. Though Spektor has noted that a lot of the songs were written pre-Soviet Kitsch and pre-Begin To Hope, the production of the album is what often skews my perception of what could be a great album. I'm not exactly blaming the production as it is, but I feel that Spektor's focus on it has definitely rid the songs of some of their integrity, like on "All The Rowboats." Aside from that, and the fact that it could have done without "Oh Marcello," the album is a solid effort. You can hear one of the album highlights, "How," below:
That's all. PEACE.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
It's All Good...
Stream the new Hives album online...Florence and the Machine share new video...Big Boi releases new song...Kanye and Jay Z share video for "No Church in the Wild"...Imagine Dragons...
Well, let's start with Lex Hives, the new record by The Hives, which is scheduled to hit stores on June 4th. The Guardian is currently streaming the album online, so if you're a little on the impatient side, then you can listen to here. I have not been able to listen to it yet, but let's just say that my "albums to listen to" list is way on over-book as of late, so it's a little hard to squeeze in anything right now. How does one put in the time!
In other news, Florence and the Machine have shared the video for the track "Spectrum," off of her Ceremonials album, which I've just now started getting into after a friend showed me the "Glee" version of Shake It Out. Yes, it shouldn't take something like that to prompt me to hear an album, but let's just say that the song never really crossed my path until now. But, with this video, directed by David LaChapelle is rich with choreography and colorful visuals. You can watch that below:
Moving along...I mentioned that Big Boi has recently named his upcoming solo album, and now he's released a new song, titled "She Said OK," with Theophilus London, and featuring Tre Luce. This song isn't for those who are opposed to the profane, and for those who like their raps quick, to the point, and raunchy as fuck. You can listen to it below:
Lastly, and I'm a day late on this one...Kanye West and Jay Z have released a video for their Watch The Throne track, "No Church in the Wild." The video is directed by Romain Gravras who directed M.I.A.'s "Born Free" and "Bad Girls." Visually, the video contains Gavras' touch...showing people revolting against the establishment AKA the police, throwing home-made bombs, setting fires, etc. You can view that below:
LISTENING: I haven't been able to listen to much, still mainly listening to Exile on Main Street, which I've already talked about, so let's not be repetitive. But a friend of mine sent me the video to a song titled "It's Time" by Las Vegas band Imagine Dragons. The beat instantly had me, and while the singer's voice initially threw me off, I haven't been able to stop listening to this song today. It's just one of those tracks that gets stuck in your head, and whether or not it's a lasting tune remains to be seen, but you can listen to that one below:
That's all. PEACE.
Well, let's start with Lex Hives, the new record by The Hives, which is scheduled to hit stores on June 4th. The Guardian is currently streaming the album online, so if you're a little on the impatient side, then you can listen to here. I have not been able to listen to it yet, but let's just say that my "albums to listen to" list is way on over-book as of late, so it's a little hard to squeeze in anything right now. How does one put in the time!
In other news, Florence and the Machine have shared the video for the track "Spectrum," off of her Ceremonials album, which I've just now started getting into after a friend showed me the "Glee" version of Shake It Out. Yes, it shouldn't take something like that to prompt me to hear an album, but let's just say that the song never really crossed my path until now. But, with this video, directed by David LaChapelle is rich with choreography and colorful visuals. You can watch that below:
Moving along...I mentioned that Big Boi has recently named his upcoming solo album, and now he's released a new song, titled "She Said OK," with Theophilus London, and featuring Tre Luce. This song isn't for those who are opposed to the profane, and for those who like their raps quick, to the point, and raunchy as fuck. You can listen to it below:
Lastly, and I'm a day late on this one...Kanye West and Jay Z have released a video for their Watch The Throne track, "No Church in the Wild." The video is directed by Romain Gravras who directed M.I.A.'s "Born Free" and "Bad Girls." Visually, the video contains Gavras' touch...showing people revolting against the establishment AKA the police, throwing home-made bombs, setting fires, etc. You can view that below:
LISTENING: I haven't been able to listen to much, still mainly listening to Exile on Main Street, which I've already talked about, so let's not be repetitive. But a friend of mine sent me the video to a song titled "It's Time" by Las Vegas band Imagine Dragons. The beat instantly had me, and while the singer's voice initially threw me off, I haven't been able to stop listening to this song today. It's just one of those tracks that gets stuck in your head, and whether or not it's a lasting tune remains to be seen, but you can listen to that one below:
That's all. PEACE.
Monday, May 28, 2012
"Steal Your Heart Away"
Big Boi gives name to new album...Stream Japandroids "Celebration Rock" on NPR...The Killers share new album title as well...Exile on Main Street...
Well, let's start this off with Big Boi. It's been a hot minute since he released his last solo album, Sir Lucius Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty. And that album was a nice representation of Big Boi's personality, outside of his work with Andre 3000. You can read a review for that album that I wrote for the Daily Texan here. Moving along...Big Boi has announced that he's coming out with another solo album, to be titled Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors. Umm...okay. I'm sure the album will be good, though the title doesn't inspire too much confidence, but what's in a name? Right? So, be on the lookout for more news on that one, and you can hear stand-out track, "You Ain't No DJ," from his previous solo effort below:
In other news, Japandroids are streaming their entire new album, Celebration Rock on NPR. I haven't gotten a chance to listen to it yet, but I fully intend to. If not, I can just buy it next week. You can listen to the album here.
Lastly, The Killers have also announced the name to their upcoming album. The album is going to be called Battle Born. I'm sure whatever they come out with will be somewhat better than that "Are we human or are we dancer" bullshit. Sorry, Killers fans, but they certainly dropped the ball on their last release. I've never been too much of a Killers fan to begin with, but Flowers and company have come out with some notable songs in the past, and I'm not talking about "Mr. Brightside" either, though it did work well for some head-bopping and sing-along parties in the backseat. Personally, I've always favored "All These Things That I've Done," which you can hear below:
LISTENING: I've spent the better part of my weekend listening to The Rolling Stones' Exile on Main Street. I bought this album a couple of years back after reading a riveting feature in Rolling Stone about the making of this album in a mansion in Paris. A lot of drugs went into the making of this album, and isn't most excellent rock n' roll made this way? Sorry for those straight-edge rockers who think differently, but there is a sense of mysticism concerning drug-addled music that is hard to puncture. Either way, this album is excellent. I've always appreciated The Rolling Stones, and I've always tried to make it a point to familiarize myself with their work more... and this is the album to do that. Tracks like "Rocks Off," "Casino Boogie," and "Torn and Frayed," show their power, their vulnerability, and their prowess as excellent rock musicians. But, you don't need me to poison your eyes and ears with my thoughts. Listen for yourself. You can hear another stand-out track, "Ventilator Blues," below:
That's all. PEACE.
Well, let's start this off with Big Boi. It's been a hot minute since he released his last solo album, Sir Lucius Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty. And that album was a nice representation of Big Boi's personality, outside of his work with Andre 3000. You can read a review for that album that I wrote for the Daily Texan here. Moving along...Big Boi has announced that he's coming out with another solo album, to be titled Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors. Umm...okay. I'm sure the album will be good, though the title doesn't inspire too much confidence, but what's in a name? Right? So, be on the lookout for more news on that one, and you can hear stand-out track, "You Ain't No DJ," from his previous solo effort below:
In other news, Japandroids are streaming their entire new album, Celebration Rock on NPR. I haven't gotten a chance to listen to it yet, but I fully intend to. If not, I can just buy it next week. You can listen to the album here.
Lastly, The Killers have also announced the name to their upcoming album. The album is going to be called Battle Born. I'm sure whatever they come out with will be somewhat better than that "Are we human or are we dancer" bullshit. Sorry, Killers fans, but they certainly dropped the ball on their last release. I've never been too much of a Killers fan to begin with, but Flowers and company have come out with some notable songs in the past, and I'm not talking about "Mr. Brightside" either, though it did work well for some head-bopping and sing-along parties in the backseat. Personally, I've always favored "All These Things That I've Done," which you can hear below:
LISTENING: I've spent the better part of my weekend listening to The Rolling Stones' Exile on Main Street. I bought this album a couple of years back after reading a riveting feature in Rolling Stone about the making of this album in a mansion in Paris. A lot of drugs went into the making of this album, and isn't most excellent rock n' roll made this way? Sorry for those straight-edge rockers who think differently, but there is a sense of mysticism concerning drug-addled music that is hard to puncture. Either way, this album is excellent. I've always appreciated The Rolling Stones, and I've always tried to make it a point to familiarize myself with their work more... and this is the album to do that. Tracks like "Rocks Off," "Casino Boogie," and "Torn and Frayed," show their power, their vulnerability, and their prowess as excellent rock musicians. But, you don't need me to poison your eyes and ears with my thoughts. Listen for yourself. You can hear another stand-out track, "Ventilator Blues," below:
That's all. PEACE.
Friday, May 25, 2012
"Something Comes...Something Goes"
Neil Young covers "God Save the Queen"...Beck's son dances onstage...Bright Light Social Hour review...Mott The Hoople...
Well, there wasn't much that I was interested in talking about today. I guess it's just one of those days where things don't seem too appealing, at least in the news. AND...I know that I've been talking about Neil Young a lot lately, but that's mainly because he's been all over the fucking place. He's gearing up to release a new album with Crazy Horse, titled Americana, and has a documentary coming out about him, so it's hard not to see his name everywhere as of late. But, he released the video/song of "God Save the Queen" which is a track off of his upcoming album, which is said to consist of covers of folk songs. The album is set to come out on June 4, but this little number should hold you off until then:
Also, Pitchfork posted a video of Beck playing "E-Pro" live. To experience Beck live is something that can't be reiterated unless you've been there. Okay, I'm completely lying, I could go on and on for days about what the experience was like, considering it was my favorite show of the whole 2008 ACL festival. But that's neither here nor there. As Pitchfork stated, it is probably the cutest thing I've seen today...in the video, Beck's son is dancing around the stage, and the kid's got some mad hyperactivity going on mixed with his natural affinity for pyrotechnics. You can view that performance below:
CONCERT REVIEW: I mentioned a few entries ago that I was in the process of writing an article about the Bright Light Social Hour. Well, the show was last night, and let me just say that it was some good fun. The band itself draws on many influences, from disco to blues to classic rock to fill-in-the-blank. The list goes on and on. But, these guys know how to put on a fucking amazing show. It's always good to see a band that knows how to jam onstage and have fun in the process, and when I say jam, I mean go off into 3 minute solos and completely get lost in the music, taking the audience along for the journey. They played multiple songs from their self-titled album, namely "Shanty," "Bare Hands Bare Feet," and "Detroit," among others. My friend and I agreed that they sort of channeled the magic of Queen, or rather Freddie Mercury with their vocal stylings. You can listen to their track, "Bare Hands Bare Feet" below:
LISTENING: Today, I've just been listening to Mott The Hoople's fifth album, titled All The Young Dudes. I'm not ashamed to say that I fell in love with the track, "All The Young Dudes," while watching the Jason Reitman flick, Juno. How the fuck else do you hear of new bands if you're not listening in for them? All motherfuckery aside...the album is excellent. I bought it a couple of years ago, and it's definitely an album that resonates, and you can definitely catch David Bowie influences in it, considering he produced the damn thing. Tracks like "Sucker," "One of the Boys," and "Sea Diver," definitely showcase their talent. So, that's a definite recommendation if you haven't heard this album yet. And, you can hear the beautiful track, "Sea Diver," below:
That's all. PEACE.
Well, there wasn't much that I was interested in talking about today. I guess it's just one of those days where things don't seem too appealing, at least in the news. AND...I know that I've been talking about Neil Young a lot lately, but that's mainly because he's been all over the fucking place. He's gearing up to release a new album with Crazy Horse, titled Americana, and has a documentary coming out about him, so it's hard not to see his name everywhere as of late. But, he released the video/song of "God Save the Queen" which is a track off of his upcoming album, which is said to consist of covers of folk songs. The album is set to come out on June 4, but this little number should hold you off until then:
Also, Pitchfork posted a video of Beck playing "E-Pro" live. To experience Beck live is something that can't be reiterated unless you've been there. Okay, I'm completely lying, I could go on and on for days about what the experience was like, considering it was my favorite show of the whole 2008 ACL festival. But that's neither here nor there. As Pitchfork stated, it is probably the cutest thing I've seen today...in the video, Beck's son is dancing around the stage, and the kid's got some mad hyperactivity going on mixed with his natural affinity for pyrotechnics. You can view that performance below:
CONCERT REVIEW: I mentioned a few entries ago that I was in the process of writing an article about the Bright Light Social Hour. Well, the show was last night, and let me just say that it was some good fun. The band itself draws on many influences, from disco to blues to classic rock to fill-in-the-blank. The list goes on and on. But, these guys know how to put on a fucking amazing show. It's always good to see a band that knows how to jam onstage and have fun in the process, and when I say jam, I mean go off into 3 minute solos and completely get lost in the music, taking the audience along for the journey. They played multiple songs from their self-titled album, namely "Shanty," "Bare Hands Bare Feet," and "Detroit," among others. My friend and I agreed that they sort of channeled the magic of Queen, or rather Freddie Mercury with their vocal stylings. You can listen to their track, "Bare Hands Bare Feet" below:
LISTENING: Today, I've just been listening to Mott The Hoople's fifth album, titled All The Young Dudes. I'm not ashamed to say that I fell in love with the track, "All The Young Dudes," while watching the Jason Reitman flick, Juno. How the fuck else do you hear of new bands if you're not listening in for them? All motherfuckery aside...the album is excellent. I bought it a couple of years ago, and it's definitely an album that resonates, and you can definitely catch David Bowie influences in it, considering he produced the damn thing. Tracks like "Sucker," "One of the Boys," and "Sea Diver," definitely showcase their talent. So, that's a definite recommendation if you haven't heard this album yet. And, you can hear the beautiful track, "Sea Diver," below:
That's all. PEACE.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
The Game Is Changed
Justin Timberlake scores film...Japandroids interviewed at Pitchfork...Calexico...
Well, I guess it's as good a day as any other to talk about former boy-band members. This day, we choose...Justin Timberlake! Timberlake, famous for his work with N'Sync, and his much-appreciated solo work as well as his acting stints, has announced that he's going to be scoring a new film, titled The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. I think Jessica Biel, who stars in the film, probably got him the job, but that's neither here nor there. Apparently, along with scoring duties, Timberlake is also going to be the music director, getting the opportunity to show his taste in music by picking other band's songs to be included in the film. I guess this is considered music news, only on the pretense that people have wondered where the hell he's been since the last album he released was FutureSex/Lovesounds in 2006, and has taken to acting pursuits. Either way, this could be interesting...You can hear "Sexyback" below:
In other news, Pitchfork has interviewed Vancouver band, Japandroids, in anticipation for their second full-length LP, titled Celebration Rock, which is being released on June 5. I actually first heard of this band after a friend gave me their first album, Post-Nothing as a "secret Santa" present on Christmas Eve 2010. Always a sucker for a good CD, I listened to it on repeat for weeks, and normally, this type of yell-driven emo-sounding rock n' roll may not be my thing, but these guys just had something about them that transcended those weird and sometimes inappropriate stereotypes. From the opening track of "The Boys Are Leaving Town," to the very end, it's just non-stop. But, in the interview, they address their somewhat easy-going attitude about how they formed and how they continue as artists, maintaining that they'd rather be happy and maintain their friendship than right the fame-train to destruction. You can read the interview at Pitchfork, and you can hear stand-out track "Rockers East Vancouver" from Post-Nothing played live on Noisevox below:
LISTENING: I started off my morning with a little White Stripes, but have since decided to change directions somewhat to an album that was one of my favorites in high school. The album is by a little band called Calexico, and the album is titled Feast of Wire. Now, let me say that I haven't really listened to much else by Calexico, and this wasn't a conscious decision. Though I was taken aback and appreciated the aforementioned album, I just didn't delve into anything else, minus a few snippets of their 2006 effort, Garden Ruin, but I don't even remember much of it, so it must not have been very good. Either way, going back to Feast of Wire, it's a great album that mixes Latin and country influences into a weird hybrid that doesn't sound contrived, or weak. I think with Calexico, it's more about the compositions than the actual lyrics, though when they actually do decide to sing, there are some endearing moments, most notably on my favorite track, "Not Even Stevie Nicks," which you can hear below:
That's all. PEACE.
Well, I guess it's as good a day as any other to talk about former boy-band members. This day, we choose...Justin Timberlake! Timberlake, famous for his work with N'Sync, and his much-appreciated solo work as well as his acting stints, has announced that he's going to be scoring a new film, titled The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. I think Jessica Biel, who stars in the film, probably got him the job, but that's neither here nor there. Apparently, along with scoring duties, Timberlake is also going to be the music director, getting the opportunity to show his taste in music by picking other band's songs to be included in the film. I guess this is considered music news, only on the pretense that people have wondered where the hell he's been since the last album he released was FutureSex/Lovesounds in 2006, and has taken to acting pursuits. Either way, this could be interesting...You can hear "Sexyback" below:
In other news, Pitchfork has interviewed Vancouver band, Japandroids, in anticipation for their second full-length LP, titled Celebration Rock, which is being released on June 5. I actually first heard of this band after a friend gave me their first album, Post-Nothing as a "secret Santa" present on Christmas Eve 2010. Always a sucker for a good CD, I listened to it on repeat for weeks, and normally, this type of yell-driven emo-sounding rock n' roll may not be my thing, but these guys just had something about them that transcended those weird and sometimes inappropriate stereotypes. From the opening track of "The Boys Are Leaving Town," to the very end, it's just non-stop. But, in the interview, they address their somewhat easy-going attitude about how they formed and how they continue as artists, maintaining that they'd rather be happy and maintain their friendship than right the fame-train to destruction. You can read the interview at Pitchfork, and you can hear stand-out track "Rockers East Vancouver" from Post-Nothing played live on Noisevox below:
LISTENING: I started off my morning with a little White Stripes, but have since decided to change directions somewhat to an album that was one of my favorites in high school. The album is by a little band called Calexico, and the album is titled Feast of Wire. Now, let me say that I haven't really listened to much else by Calexico, and this wasn't a conscious decision. Though I was taken aback and appreciated the aforementioned album, I just didn't delve into anything else, minus a few snippets of their 2006 effort, Garden Ruin, but I don't even remember much of it, so it must not have been very good. Either way, going back to Feast of Wire, it's a great album that mixes Latin and country influences into a weird hybrid that doesn't sound contrived, or weak. I think with Calexico, it's more about the compositions than the actual lyrics, though when they actually do decide to sing, there are some endearing moments, most notably on my favorite track, "Not Even Stevie Nicks," which you can hear below:
That's all. PEACE.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Mirrors
Yacht cover the Velvet Underground...Beach House performs on Later with Jools Holland...Is sex, drugs and rock n' roll for real?...Beck shares new single snippets...Haim and more...
I saw Yacht perform at Emo's a couple of years back (as I probably mentioned before), and they were excellent. Not only do they have a significantly viable stage presence, but I actually prefer their live sound rather than their studio recordings, but I'm only a humble admirer, considering that the only song I truly truly admire from them is "The Afterlife," but I'm sure I'm not alone on that front. Anyhow, the band has recently covered The Velvet Underground's famous track, "I'll Be Your Mirror," which is one of my favorite VU tracks. I was surprised that I actually liked Yacht's version, especially considering that those are some pretty huge shoes to fill, and though they don't come close, it's still a welcomed rendition. You can hear that below:
Moving along...I've been in this weird Beach House whirlpool. Every time I read music news, there's something about them, and every time I go to listen to music, something is always urging me to give them a listen. Maybe there's some weird Beach House magic in the air that keeps bringing them to the forefront of my mind, and I wouldn't even call myself a fan. Though, I have been listening to their first LP, Beach House, and I like that they've never significantly changed their sound, considering that their new stuff stays along the same wavelength. And it's nice to know that if I ever decided to see them live, their music bodes well for them in that their live performances seem to sound almost exactly the same, which for some people, is a telling sign of a great performance. You can view their Later with Jools Holland performance of their track "Myth," below:
Also, NME recently published an article that spoke about a link between sex, drugs and rock n' roll, and if that is an actual legitimate claim...Well, apparently it is. Some scientists (?) or sociologists (?) from the Netherlands distributed questionnaires to 944 people, and basically came to the conclusion that people who listen to loud music are more likely to smoke marijuana and have sex. So, as NME concluded, I guess it's safe to say that sex, drugs and rock n' roll go hand in hand. But, would we really have it any other way? You can read their actual report here.
Lastly, anything having to do with Beck is news to me...having said that, Beck recorded a new single, which is out via Jack White's Third Man Records on May 28. Beck has shared some snippets of both songs on the single, titled "I Just Started Hating Some People Today" and "Blue Randy," and let's just say from listening to the samples, I'm buying this when it comes out. Enough said. You can listen to them at the Third Man Records site, here.
LISTENING: Well...yesterday was a great day for music listening for this journalist. From about the time I got home from work to the time I went to bed, my stereo was extremely busy. One new band I listened to is a trio of sisters from California, called Haim. And they've released a 3-song EP, titled Forever, which is available for download on their website. My first impression was that I like how they incorporated many influences, but rock isn't one of them, even though many news outlets that have featured these sisters describes their blend of "classic rock and r&b." The r&b is there, but the rock isn't, so once again...a sample of false advertising. Now, don't get me wrong, these gals are catchy as fuck, not saying they're bad. Listen to the track below to see for yourself: (Side note: My niece walked in on me listening to it, and asked, "Why are you listening to Gloria Estefan?")
Other than that, I've been listening to some Modest Mouse, this other band I heard of called Pinemarten (though, they were a little too atmospheric for my taste), Gladys Bentley, and this other dude named Karl Blau, and this particular song, titled "Slow Down Joe," stuck out to me. So you can listen to that one below:
That's all. PEACE.
I saw Yacht perform at Emo's a couple of years back (as I probably mentioned before), and they were excellent. Not only do they have a significantly viable stage presence, but I actually prefer their live sound rather than their studio recordings, but I'm only a humble admirer, considering that the only song I truly truly admire from them is "The Afterlife," but I'm sure I'm not alone on that front. Anyhow, the band has recently covered The Velvet Underground's famous track, "I'll Be Your Mirror," which is one of my favorite VU tracks. I was surprised that I actually liked Yacht's version, especially considering that those are some pretty huge shoes to fill, and though they don't come close, it's still a welcomed rendition. You can hear that below:
Moving along...I've been in this weird Beach House whirlpool. Every time I read music news, there's something about them, and every time I go to listen to music, something is always urging me to give them a listen. Maybe there's some weird Beach House magic in the air that keeps bringing them to the forefront of my mind, and I wouldn't even call myself a fan. Though, I have been listening to their first LP, Beach House, and I like that they've never significantly changed their sound, considering that their new stuff stays along the same wavelength. And it's nice to know that if I ever decided to see them live, their music bodes well for them in that their live performances seem to sound almost exactly the same, which for some people, is a telling sign of a great performance. You can view their Later with Jools Holland performance of their track "Myth," below:
Also, NME recently published an article that spoke about a link between sex, drugs and rock n' roll, and if that is an actual legitimate claim...Well, apparently it is. Some scientists (?) or sociologists (?) from the Netherlands distributed questionnaires to 944 people, and basically came to the conclusion that people who listen to loud music are more likely to smoke marijuana and have sex. So, as NME concluded, I guess it's safe to say that sex, drugs and rock n' roll go hand in hand. But, would we really have it any other way? You can read their actual report here.
Lastly, anything having to do with Beck is news to me...having said that, Beck recorded a new single, which is out via Jack White's Third Man Records on May 28. Beck has shared some snippets of both songs on the single, titled "I Just Started Hating Some People Today" and "Blue Randy," and let's just say from listening to the samples, I'm buying this when it comes out. Enough said. You can listen to them at the Third Man Records site, here.
LISTENING: Well...yesterday was a great day for music listening for this journalist. From about the time I got home from work to the time I went to bed, my stereo was extremely busy. One new band I listened to is a trio of sisters from California, called Haim. And they've released a 3-song EP, titled Forever, which is available for download on their website. My first impression was that I like how they incorporated many influences, but rock isn't one of them, even though many news outlets that have featured these sisters describes their blend of "classic rock and r&b." The r&b is there, but the rock isn't, so once again...a sample of false advertising. Now, don't get me wrong, these gals are catchy as fuck, not saying they're bad. Listen to the track below to see for yourself: (Side note: My niece walked in on me listening to it, and asked, "Why are you listening to Gloria Estefan?")
Other than that, I've been listening to some Modest Mouse, this other band I heard of called Pinemarten (though, they were a little too atmospheric for my taste), Gladys Bentley, and this other dude named Karl Blau, and this particular song, titled "Slow Down Joe," stuck out to me. So you can listen to that one below:
That's all. PEACE.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
91...92...93...
D'Angelo's first sit-down interview in 12 years...Sleigh Bells "Demon" video...ACL 2012 Lineup...I wub the 90s...
Let's start this off with D'Angelo. The R&B singer, who hit it big in the 90s has been under the radar within the past few years, due to his battles with drug addiction, some unfortunate accidents, and whatnot. But, the singer has recently done an interview with GQ, his first sit-down interview in 12 years, during which he talks about his drug struggles, the difficulties with fame, and his upcoming album. You can read the article at GQ, and you can view his "Untitled" video below:
Sleigh Bells are one of those bands that has marketed themselves with a certain sound, and painfully stuck to it. There was once a part of me that became completely taken over with their vibe, as seen on such songs as "Crown on the Ground," and personal favorite, "Rill Rill." But, everything I've heard from their new album stuck to the certainty that where one sound caught ears, that same sound is sure to keep them. I would have liked to have seen some more variety from them, but hey, people have to pay bills, right? Either way, you can watch their new video for their song, "Demons" off of their latest release, Reign of Terror below:
Lastly...the 2012 ACL Line-up is here, or at least the initial lineup. From what I've seen thus far, I'd be ecstatic to see Neil Young, Iggy and the Stooges, First Aid Kit, Jack White, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Roots, Florence and the Machine, Rufus Wainwright, Crystal Castles, etc. You can view the lineup (if you already haven't) here.
I've spent the better part of my day listening to music from the 90s, since NME put out their 100 Best Songs of the 90s list today. This is definitely keeping in line with a current trend that seems to have more people sharing their 90s love with some flash-backs/shout-outs/nods...what have you. They're just all over the place lately. Aside from that, I couldn't get this little gem out of my head all weekend, after hearing it at a bar...but if you want to view the list, you can see it here. You can listen to "Got Your Money" by ODB below:
That's all. PEACE.
Let's start this off with D'Angelo. The R&B singer, who hit it big in the 90s has been under the radar within the past few years, due to his battles with drug addiction, some unfortunate accidents, and whatnot. But, the singer has recently done an interview with GQ, his first sit-down interview in 12 years, during which he talks about his drug struggles, the difficulties with fame, and his upcoming album. You can read the article at GQ, and you can view his "Untitled" video below:
Sleigh Bells are one of those bands that has marketed themselves with a certain sound, and painfully stuck to it. There was once a part of me that became completely taken over with their vibe, as seen on such songs as "Crown on the Ground," and personal favorite, "Rill Rill." But, everything I've heard from their new album stuck to the certainty that where one sound caught ears, that same sound is sure to keep them. I would have liked to have seen some more variety from them, but hey, people have to pay bills, right? Either way, you can watch their new video for their song, "Demons" off of their latest release, Reign of Terror below:
Lastly...the 2012 ACL Line-up is here, or at least the initial lineup. From what I've seen thus far, I'd be ecstatic to see Neil Young, Iggy and the Stooges, First Aid Kit, Jack White, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Roots, Florence and the Machine, Rufus Wainwright, Crystal Castles, etc. You can view the lineup (if you already haven't) here.
I've spent the better part of my day listening to music from the 90s, since NME put out their 100 Best Songs of the 90s list today. This is definitely keeping in line with a current trend that seems to have more people sharing their 90s love with some flash-backs/shout-outs/nods...what have you. They're just all over the place lately. Aside from that, I couldn't get this little gem out of my head all weekend, after hearing it at a bar...but if you want to view the list, you can see it here. You can listen to "Got Your Money" by ODB below:
That's all. PEACE.
Friday, May 18, 2012
We Get The Sun!
Regina Spektor performs on David Letterman...Antony and the Johnsons set to release live album...Chaka Khan will perform a tribute to the late Whitney Houston...Rye Rye, M.I.A. and Nat King Cole...
Let's start this off with Regina Spektor. Now, let me just say that her upcoming album, What We Saw From The Cheap Seats, isn't exactly inspiring a lot of desire in me to buy it. I feel that as her career has progressed, she's focused a lot more on production and sound than actually paying close attention to the actual songwriting. Many will disagree with me, and that's fine. I know that she's re-recorded some of her old songs for her new release, which comes out on May 29th, so in that respect, maybe my point is moot. But, I feel as if her latest releases haven't hit quite as hard as Soviet Kitsch did, but that's neither here nor there. The piano-songstress performed her current single, "All The Rowboats," on David Letterman last night, and like the song, the performance did little to instill confidence in this music listener. But, you can view it at Stereogum.
In other news, Antony and the Johnsons are coming out with a live album, titled Cut the World. The album is set to come out on August 6. I'm a little behind on Antony's work, only because that I was so amazed with I Am A Bird Now. I think there is this subconscious inkling in my mind that has made me somewhat wary of listening to anything else by him because I feel that it wouldn't compare, and that's terrible. As a music listener, and aspiring music journalist, those are the types of things one should steer clear of, but the fact that he's coming out with something new just solidifies my need to catch up on his work...at least Swanlights, which received excellent reviews. But, you can hear the album-opener from I Am A Bird Now below, it's one of my favorite Antony tracks.
Lastly, Chaka Khan in all her glory will perform a tribute to the late Whitney Houston at an awards ceremony at the Apollo Theater. I got a little excited about this, especially after having read a riveting story about Whitney Houston in the latest issue of Vanity Fair (Yes, I read!). Either way...that's something to look forward to, especially when one considers that Lionel Ritchie and Etta James are set to be inducted into the Apollo Hall of Fame. This event is happening on June 4th, and you can hear Chaka Khan's famous track, "Ain't Nobody" below:
LISTENING: Well, I feel like a dipshit, but it's all Rye Rye's fault! Her first full-length LP, titled Go! Pop! Bang! has been set for release for the past 3(?) years, and I understand that complications arise. However, the album was finally released this past week, and I've read about it, but have not mentioned it because I haven't listened to it yet. Though, I have heard several songs that are on the album, "Bang," "Sunshine," "Boom Boom," and "Never Will Be Mine," so what's that? 1/4 of the record? Either way...from what I've heard, I'm not all that excited. Tracks like "Bang" and "Shake It To The Ground," gave me hope, but let's just leave it as a faint curiosity that I like to indulge in. You can hear "Bang" below:
Also, I've been listening to M.I.A.'s Kala this afternoon. I think it's M.I.A.'s finest moment. She already broke barriers and created a massive stir with Arular, but I feel that she expanded and mastered her sound with Kala. For me, it was unprecedented, and it was bold. It took the world a while to catch onto it, many only taking a liking after hearing "Paper Planes," but the attention was well-deserved, and it put her on a platform where she could probably work with anyone she wanted to, if she hadn't already. But, you can hear my favorite Kala song, "Birdflu," below:
This morning, I listened to Love Is A Many Splendored Thing, which is a compilation of Nat King Cole songs that Capitol Records put out a while back. I bought this record at some thrift store in Austin, can't remember what it was called, and today was the first day that I found this hidden gem stuck in the back of my book-shelf, and I'm glad that I found it. Since I am a dumb-ass who isn't too familiar with Nat King Cole's work, this is a great introduction into his world, and he kindly shows you there with his wonderful vocals and brisk arrangements. You can hear the title track below:
That's all. PEACE.
Let's start this off with Regina Spektor. Now, let me just say that her upcoming album, What We Saw From The Cheap Seats, isn't exactly inspiring a lot of desire in me to buy it. I feel that as her career has progressed, she's focused a lot more on production and sound than actually paying close attention to the actual songwriting. Many will disagree with me, and that's fine. I know that she's re-recorded some of her old songs for her new release, which comes out on May 29th, so in that respect, maybe my point is moot. But, I feel as if her latest releases haven't hit quite as hard as Soviet Kitsch did, but that's neither here nor there. The piano-songstress performed her current single, "All The Rowboats," on David Letterman last night, and like the song, the performance did little to instill confidence in this music listener. But, you can view it at Stereogum.
In other news, Antony and the Johnsons are coming out with a live album, titled Cut the World. The album is set to come out on August 6. I'm a little behind on Antony's work, only because that I was so amazed with I Am A Bird Now. I think there is this subconscious inkling in my mind that has made me somewhat wary of listening to anything else by him because I feel that it wouldn't compare, and that's terrible. As a music listener, and aspiring music journalist, those are the types of things one should steer clear of, but the fact that he's coming out with something new just solidifies my need to catch up on his work...at least Swanlights, which received excellent reviews. But, you can hear the album-opener from I Am A Bird Now below, it's one of my favorite Antony tracks.
Lastly, Chaka Khan in all her glory will perform a tribute to the late Whitney Houston at an awards ceremony at the Apollo Theater. I got a little excited about this, especially after having read a riveting story about Whitney Houston in the latest issue of Vanity Fair (Yes, I read!). Either way...that's something to look forward to, especially when one considers that Lionel Ritchie and Etta James are set to be inducted into the Apollo Hall of Fame. This event is happening on June 4th, and you can hear Chaka Khan's famous track, "Ain't Nobody" below:
LISTENING: Well, I feel like a dipshit, but it's all Rye Rye's fault! Her first full-length LP, titled Go! Pop! Bang! has been set for release for the past 3(?) years, and I understand that complications arise. However, the album was finally released this past week, and I've read about it, but have not mentioned it because I haven't listened to it yet. Though, I have heard several songs that are on the album, "Bang," "Sunshine," "Boom Boom," and "Never Will Be Mine," so what's that? 1/4 of the record? Either way...from what I've heard, I'm not all that excited. Tracks like "Bang" and "Shake It To The Ground," gave me hope, but let's just leave it as a faint curiosity that I like to indulge in. You can hear "Bang" below:
Also, I've been listening to M.I.A.'s Kala this afternoon. I think it's M.I.A.'s finest moment. She already broke barriers and created a massive stir with Arular, but I feel that she expanded and mastered her sound with Kala. For me, it was unprecedented, and it was bold. It took the world a while to catch onto it, many only taking a liking after hearing "Paper Planes," but the attention was well-deserved, and it put her on a platform where she could probably work with anyone she wanted to, if she hadn't already. But, you can hear my favorite Kala song, "Birdflu," below:
This morning, I listened to Love Is A Many Splendored Thing, which is a compilation of Nat King Cole songs that Capitol Records put out a while back. I bought this record at some thrift store in Austin, can't remember what it was called, and today was the first day that I found this hidden gem stuck in the back of my book-shelf, and I'm glad that I found it. Since I am a dumb-ass who isn't too familiar with Nat King Cole's work, this is a great introduction into his world, and he kindly shows you there with his wonderful vocals and brisk arrangements. You can hear the title track below:
That's all. PEACE.
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